Being a Christian Without Being an Idiot! by Brad Stine "God's Comic

Author:Brad Stine "God's Comic
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: N/A
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Published: 2020-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

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1 An interesting sidenote appeared as I was writing this book. The man of whom I spoke actually did end up sending a letter to me through my management, apologizing for his offense. Now, I suppose he expects me to forgive him. Man, living this Christian life is rough! But this also brings up the dilemma constantly put in the way of Christians in the acting profession.

“The Oscar Goes to…”

ASSUMED TRUTH 7: All Christians will come to the same conclusion about what is appropriate Christian behavior.

What standard should Christian actors use in determining what roles they will portray? I remember searching this out myself when I was in acting class. Some of the roles, surprisingly enough, weren’t written with a Christian worldview in mind! Some involved language and behavior I don’t use in my daily life (or at least try not to). Christians really need to come up with their own version of a curse word. You know, something to say when we hit our thumb with a hammer, because I guarantee you, when something like that happens, you will verbally express your feelings! (Actually, most of the prophets’ names would work well: “Zechariah! I stepped on a tack!”)

I believe one of the great things about my faith is it tells me to work things out “with fear and trembling.” In other words, I have the freedom to examine my life and to make choices that may seem appropriate now, although I may not find them appropriate in the future, and vice versa. For instance, I once was hired to act in a student film that called for my character to use an obscene word.

As I pondered this scenario, I reasoned I was playing a role of another person, one who was very different than me. In his world, this type of language is common. I figured if the only way we can take a role is if the character has a similar worldview, I would rarely have the opportunity to be in films.

Also, aren’t we able to watch Christian shows in which the character of Jesus is played by an actor who isn’t a Christian? Plus, by this logic that says Christians shouldn’t play roles with “un-Christian” behavior—Christians shouldn’t be allowed to play the role of Satan!

The ultimate anti-Christian!

I decided to take the role, but, interestingly enough, when I arrived to shoot it, I began to feel less comfortable with saying the foul word, since I spent my comedy career proving you could be edgy and provocative without curse words. So I began to talk to the director about possible options in the dialogue that could make the character more interesting. He listened and allowed us to shoot two takes with and without the offensive word. I don’t know which take he ultimately used, but I do know the answer I was seeking was slowly revealed to me.

It wasn’t so much the word anymore as the whole picture. Did I believe in and agree with the story of this film? As I began to examine it, I realized I did not.

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