"End of the Spear" or which end are we talking about?

The movie End of the Spear has generated thoughtful dialogue among evangelicals. Some comments have been made concerning the use of unregenerate actors, the lack of "Oscar-nominee" performances by some of the actors, and the less than stellar musical score of the movie. Some have endorsed the viewing of the movie from pulpits and classroom lecterns. Some evangelicals have encouraged believers to attend hoping that God will "call out the called" to do mission work. I will not discuss the use of unregenerate actors or actresses. I am reminded that God used Pharoah for His glory... then again, Sovereign God can do anything He desires. I do not have the academic credentials to discern what is great acting or good acting... however, it was 1971, my junior year at Emma Sansom High School in Gadsden, Alabama when I was cast in one of the supporting roles in our Junior-Senior class play. I was an eccentric, old college Chemistry professor. Believe me when I proclaim, I do know terrible acting when I see it. The musical score in a movie intrigues me since I am a musician. However, a movie can be good even if the music is not as good as that written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. What concerns me the most about End of the Spear is the real story is not being portrayed.

Unsurprisingly, Hollywood is being "seeker-sensitive" by being "politically correct". You will not hear or observe the whole story of the five men who gave their life so that the Waodani tribal people might hear the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. These men went to heaven NOT because of their own merit and NOT because they answered the call to missions. Jim Elliot, Peter Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint, and Roger Youderian died and entered heaven because they were saved by God's glorious grace! Sinful man, however unappealing that is to this modern culture to be labeled such, is doomed to hell because of his sinful condition. The only hope we have is found in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. The ambiquities and shortcomings of visual epic in this movie are great and astounding. How can one determine what the real story is?

Recently, a group of senior ladies from one of our local neighborhoods attended the viewing of End of the Spear. These ladies attend different evangelical churches of which I am personally familiar with and know their pastors. Walking out of the theatre after the movie was over, one uninformed lady candidly exclaimed to the others, "Wasn't that an inspiring story about those Mormon missionaries!?!" Later, one of the other dear saints gave her copy of Shadow of the Almighty to her and said, "Here, this is the real end to the real story."

Friends... that is the real end of the whole story. May all evangelicals be diligent to tell the real end of the real story to those who have not heard!