We are in a precarious stage of Escape from Truth, Strong Evidence, and Facts in our world today. Our media and entertainment is full of subtle to blatant misleading, misinforming, and error-filled stories. During Easter Holy Week, there are two family movies in theaters based not only on true and factual events but on ultimate Eternal Truth that are inspiring and edifying for mid-schoolers through adults.
The first is screened in theaters tonight, April 10, as a special Fathom Event. This movie, Facing the Darkness, is based on true events that demonstrate the message of Easter, the heart of the Gospel, and power of God through His sacrificial people. The new film Facing Darkness presents the amazing true story of how determination, prayer, and faith moved mountains.
In the spring of 2014, West Africa was under siege from the sweeping Ebola pandemic as 26,000 people became infected, 11,000 people died, and many were left orphans and widows.
A brave and selfless team rose to the occasion in the name of Jesus. They risked everything to provide resources and care to the suffering people of Africa. The crisis also hit home for Samaritan’s Purse and its leader, Franklin Graham, when some members of this organization were struck down by the virus. Dr. Kent Brantly and worker Nancy Writebol both contracted the deadly virus; however, as people prayed miracles began to unfold.
Facing Darkness highlights this crisis and the true story of Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol in the race against time to get them back to the United States in the hope of saving their lives. r
The documentary shows that although the epidemic was terrible, it could have been much worse. The film highlights the work of Samaritan’s Purse, which has a hospital in Liberia’s capital city, Monrovia, and was in a unique position to help. When Samaritan’s Purse workers came down with Ebola themselves, other workers with Samaritan’s Purse bravely stepped in to serve even to the risk of their own lives. (Ebola is easily transmitted even with touching the sweat on an infected person.) This unrated movie is appropriate for middle school children through adults. The website for Facing Darkness provides a wealth of information that includes: how to purchase tickets, and news stories.
Dr. Kent Brantly meets with Franklin Graham at Samaritan’s Purse HQ in Boone, NC. Film excerpt. From Samaritan’s Purse, FACING DARKNESS releases March 30, 2017. (Photo credit: Samaritan’s Purse)
The second movie in theaters during Easter Holy Week that reveals the heart of the Gospel and the Easter story is the true, dramatic, narrative about Leslie and Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ. Box Office Mojo reports that since its release it is in the top of the box office in wide release.
The captivating narrative of the new movie The Case for Christ is based on the true story of the award-winning journalist and avowed atheist Lee Strobel, and takes place in 1980 when his investigative reporting earned him a promotion to legal editor at the Chicago Tribune. At the same time his career was taking off, his home life became a battle zone when his wife Leslie – who had been an agnostic – found faith in Christ.
Applying his well-honed journalistic and legal skills, Lee set out on a mission to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife. The result was unexpected and life-altering.
The movie The Case for Christ is a must-see film for everyone who has ever pondered the existence of God, or the evidence related to the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lee, who earned a law degree from Yale Law School, used his legal experience and training as a former courtroom analyst to thoroughly study and build a case to discredit the deity of Jesus. Employing historical, personal, and medical records of evidence of the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, Lee “cross-examined” a dozen leading experts with doctorates from schools such as Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis, who are recognized authorities in their fields. His careful research and scrutiny led him to stunning conclusions and results.
Mike Vogel as Lee Strobel in ‘The Case for Christ.’ Photo Courtesy of Pure Flix Entertainment.
Strobel is the author of over 20 books, including The Case for Christ – winner of the Christian Book Award, and this best-selling book along with its collateral material, has sold over 10 million copies in print. He is also a Professor at Houston Baptist University and a teaching pastor at Woodlands Church in Houston, Texas.
Directed by Jonathan M. Gunn (Do You Believe?) with screen adaptation by Brian Bird (When Calls the Heart), producers include: Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Karl Horstmann, and Brittany Lefebvre. The cast stars actor Mike Vogel (The Help) as Lee Strobel, Erika Christensen (Parenthood) as his wife, Leslie, and includes the legendary Faye Dunaway (Bonnie and Clyde) as Dr. Roberta Waters, Robert Forster (Jackie Brown) as Walter Strobel, Frankie Faison (The Wire) as Joe Dubois, and L. Scott Caldwell (Lost) as Alfie Davis.
See Sonoma Christian Home’s insightful and fascinating exclusive interview with Lee and Leslie Strobel.
Hold out for the eternal Truth that sets us free in movies this week and every week. Happy and Holy Easter!
To learn more about this author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard
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