Dear Editor,
Re Culture Watch and the Jesus Revolution film in the August issue of en: whilst helpfully suggesting that the movie could and probably should have more explicitly pointed towards ultimate satisfaction in Christ rather than in relationships, church success and mentor approval, the reviewer seems to be overlooking important context.
Firstly, the movie documents the genesis of a Calvary Chapel movement that has, to this day, birthed thousands of faithful Bible-teaching and disciple-making churches across the world. Regardless of how the movie was Hollywood-ised, that is the enduring real-world legacy of the characters portrayed, with Greg Laurie – still preaching the word of God around the world today – chief amongst them. I personally owe my growth in the Lord to a Calvary Chapel church, and will be forever grateful.
Secondly, the reviewer fails to notice that fatherlessness, abandonment, lovelessness and family breakdown were the primary features of the generation in which the movie is set and from which this amazing movement was birthed. The young people coming out of such trauma needed to hear a message spoken in a language they understood and with accents unique to their hurt, and surely that is why the movie – and perhaps the movement – emphasised fulfilment, approval and relationships in that particular moment.
The baptism scenes in the movie speak explicitly of repentance, new life and joy. Let’s not forget that focal point amongst other important secondary considerations!
Yours sincerely,
Joshua MacDonald York
