To Christian Filmmakers

Image Credit: Media from Wix

A Christian filmmaker is a Christian, or follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, who makes films that glorify Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:16-17). To "glorify Christ" means to make known the truth about Him (Luke 23:47) [1]. For Christian filmmakers, it means making the truth of Christ known through the visual language that characterizes the medium of film.

One way to conceive of Christian filmmaking that is enlightening is this: making examples [2]. The Bible often talks about the influence and power of examples, both for good and bad. Instead of expositing teaching, examples SHOW teaching in action. Christians are to be examples of Christ's doctrine as it is embodied in their lives and practice. But what about this: you want to MAKE examples of Christians walking as our Lord Himself walked (1 John 2:3-6)? As you strive to empathize with people, trying to learn what examples of Christlikeness may open up their eyes to Jesus Christ to repent and trust in Him (and/or encourage Christians to greater faith in and love for Christ), you may wish: "I wish that God would enable me to just MAKE such an example!" Well, alongside being that very example in your own life, you can bring that example to life via film! In sermons, people hear the Word of God. In films, people can SEE the Word of God! And, by "seeing the Word of God," I don't mean making films of Biblical accounts, but, again, making films of the Bible as it is applied in concrete situations and stories. And, though the second commandment forbids us from making images of God in any form, including God the Son in His incarnation (Exodus 20:4-6, 32:1-5), you can show Christ by demonstrating Him exemplified through His people's faithfulness to Him! 

Christian filmmaker, this is the opportunity you have to glorify God! This is the opportunity you have to praise your Lord! Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, meditate on His moral character and words, meditate on how Christ's character can be exemplified in Christians, and work with all your might to produce films that are faithful and beautiful portrayals of Christ exemplified (Ecclesiastes 9:10)! And remember a primary guide of visual media: show, don't tell!

May God turn your ideas into realities for His glory and praise, Christian filmmaker!

[1] God used a pastor I once listened to on the Internet to point out how Luke 23:47 shows what it means to glorify God. I won't mention who he is here though partly because I think his stance on justification by faith alone is questionable.

[2] This insight can be applied to movies and other visual media made by adherents of other religions/belief-systems to understand such media and its power.