Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy– Top Family, Redemptive Movie Mid-March
The top pick movie coming to theaters for families this week is Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy. Other top pick family movies from 2018 have recently earned top nominations and awards. Many of these movies also continue to prevail in theaters in the second week of March 2019. In box office order they include the following: animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG), for older children through adults; Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) for all ages; and Mary Poppins Returns (PG) for all ages.
Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy comes to movie theaters nationwide March 14th, 16th, and 19th. This new documentary examines controversy regarding true authorship of the Bible.
Timothy Mahoney says, “Is the Bible true? If not, what should I put my faith in?”
Award-winning filmmaker Timothy Mahoney, known for Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus, is bringing evidence to light in the ongoing debate about the true authorship of the first five books of the Bible in his latest documentary: Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy. Presented by Fathom Events and Thinking Man Films, in Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy, Mahoney invites viewers on a global trek to uncover the truth behind the oldest and most significant book in history—the Bible. The thought-provoking documentary features fascinating interviews with some of the world’s leading experts in Egyptology, ancient Hebrew, religion and archaeology and asks hard questions in search of evidence to determine once and for all whether Moses could really have authored the Torah.
Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy highlights one of the most groundbreaking discoveries of the modern age and presents well-organized “patterns” to answer what could be the most important question for people of faith. With stunning cinematography and life-like recreations, Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy will captivate audiences of all ages.
See my significant interview with Tim Mahoney on Sonoma Christian Home about his many years of researching and developing this scholarship and movie. Mahoney says, “The biggest overarching question is whether Moses actually had the ability to write the events of the Exodus as a true eye-witness account, as is referenced in Scripture, or did the Exodus of Israel predate alphabetic writing. Most mainstream scholars believe Moses’ authorship to be an impossibility due to the commonly-cited historical date of about 900 B.C. for the first Hebrew alphabet in which the Torah is written. This would place the first Hebrew script hundreds of years after Moses and the exodus.”
Mahoney examines the earliest forms of text including hieroglyphics, and more recently-discovered cave inscriptions found in the Sinai region which some believe links the Hebrews to an early alphabetic system and offers a new narrative about the origins of the first alphabet. He says, “Since the rest of the Bible is based on the writings of Moses, the credibility of the exodus and the rest of the Bible is directly connected to the question of Moses’ authorship.”
Mahoney discovers a hidden truth when he uncovers overwhelming evidence that the world’s first alphabet was given by God to the early Israelites, which Moses later used to author the first books of the Bible. He believes that Moses used this first alphabet to write the inspired words of God so the world could know God and have a relationship with Him.
The first alphabetic writing has been one of the most revolutionary inventions in the last 4,000 years, and the foundation for all of the alphabets in the modern world, because it is so simple that even a child can understand it. It has provided an easy way for common people to learn God’s word, teach it to their children, and share their knowledge of God with others: “You shall teach them diligently to your children… You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
The Bible is called “The WORD OF GOD” and in the New Testament the first verses of the Gospel of John make this statement. “In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God. He was with God in the beginning.” John 1:1-2
Traveling throughout the Middle East to see where the patterns lead, Mahoney uncovers profound new scientific evidence you have to see to believe! This Fathom Film Event includes a discussion with moderator, Todd Starnes, along with filmmaker, Tim Mahoney, Os Guiness, Michael Medved, and A.R. Bernard.
Other good, award-winning, family movies in theaters mid-March include the following:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG), which is suitable for older children through adults, is an animated comic book adventure where various manifestations of Spider-Man from other dimensions team up to stop a crime boss from destroying reality. This movie is a fun movie with action, heart and faith; but there is intense action violence which warrants caution for young children. It has been awarded the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the year. Further, at the recent Movieguide ® Gala it has earned the award for one of the Ten Best 2018 Movies for Families.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) for all ages is a hilarious and heartfelt sequel to Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, in which the arcade villain wants to be the hero rather than the villain. In this sequel, Ralph and his best friend Vanellope go into the world of the Internet after a missing piece for Vanellope’s arcade game. The movie has good moral themes about friendship, adoption, family, self-sacrifice, and courage (there are a few intense scenes). The characters and adventures in the movie appeal to all ages. It has been nominated for the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the year. Further, at the recent Movieguide ® Gala it has earned the award for one of the Ten Best 2018 Movies for Families.
In Mary Poppins Returns, Michael Banks and his sister Jane are now adults and Michael has children of his own, who are in desperate need of a nanny because they have lost their mother. In addition, Michael is distraught with overdue house payments. The movie is full of delightful entertainment with spectacular dance numbers and sweet, endearing songs. This lovely movie encourages the value of family and the importance of imagination. It features Emily Blunt delightfully as Mary Poppins, along with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Colin Firth, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, and more. awarded the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature film of the year. It has been nominated for the 2019 Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Production Design of the year. It also at the recent Movieguide ® Gala, earned the award for one of the Ten Best 2018 Movies for Families.
Some other top pick 2018 family movies now available on streaming and DVD that have also earned Oscar nominations include: Black Panther for Best Picture and Best Sound Mixing, At Eternity’s Gate for Best Leading Actor (Willem Defoe), Incredibles 2 for Best Animated Movie, and Christopher Robin for Best Visual Effects, and Solo: A Star Wars Story for Best Visual Effects. See my articles and interviews for these movies and more top pick family and redemptive movies on Sonoma Christian Home.
There have been wonderful family movies in theaters in 2018 and many can be now be found in on various streaming platforms and/or on DVDs: The Grinch, Peter Rabbit, Buttons, Christopher Robin, Black Panther, Show Dogs, and Incredibles. See this list on IMDb. See their descriptions and awards on Sonoma Christian Home.
Beginning largely with the impact and success of The Passion of the Christ, in recent years we have seen an ongoing Reformation and Renaissance in movies produced for theaters and then available for home use. In 2018 there have been also many fine redemptive movies for families of older children through adults, like Patterns of Evidence: The Moses Controversy and more. They have included the following top picks: I Can Only Imagine; Unbroken: Path to Redemption; God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness; Samson; Paul, Apostle of Christ; The Miracle Season; Beautifully Broken; God Bless the Broken Road; Indivisible; and An Interview with God. Many of these good movies are now available on DVD or through various forms of streaming. They are excellent picks for libraries: personal, church, public, and more. See this list on IMDb. See their descriptions and awards on Sonoma Christian Home. See other top pick lists by year on IMDb. See reviews, interviews, trailers and more for my top pick family and redemptive movies on Sonoma Christian Home.
Although dates can change, here is what is known about the “what and when” of some of the most promising family and redemptive movies for a range of ages yet due in theaters in 2019: 3/14, 16, 19- Patterns of Evidence-Moses; 3/15 – Faith, Hope, and Love; 3/22- The Islands; 3/22 – Unplanned; 3/24-To Kill A Mockingbird; 3/29- Dumbo; 4/1- My Brother’s Keeper; 4/12- Breakthrough; 4/18-Pilgrim’s Progress; 4/19-Disneynature’s Penguins; Tolkien- 5/10; 5/24- Aladdin; 6/7- The Other Side of Heaven 2; 6/21– Toy Story 4; 6/7– Secret Lives of Pets 2; 7/29– Lion King; 8/2 –Dora the Explorer; 8/23-Overcomer; 12/31- Finding Grace; and more.
Other promising movies in various stages of development and production for the future include: Passion of the Christ 2: The Resurrection; One Nation Under God; The Penitent Thief; East Oil Texas; Thai Rescue; Roe V. Wade; Gigantic; CATS; Heavenquest: Peter Pan; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair; In God’s Underground; Palau the Movie; Do You Believe 2; The Chronicles of Narnia, The Magician’s Nephew; The Ten Commandments; King David; Pontius Pilate; Butterfly Circus; The Adventures of Tintin 2; West Side Story, You are My Friend, God Calling, Walking with Herb; Heavens to Betsy; Let Go and Let God; The Wake of Light; The Breaking Point; The Follower; Our God is Good; and more.
Further, many Disney projects are in development: Tink; Snow White (musical); Oliver Twist (musical), and a Jesse Owens project. Some live-action Disney remakes of classic animated family movies continue in development, as well: Pinocchio 1; The Little Mermaid; Lady and the Tramp; Fantasia; Chip ‘n’ Dale; Genies; James and the Giant Peach; Nottingham & Hood; Lilo & Stitch, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sword and the Stone; XD Big Hero 6 animated series and more. Watch for updates, interviews and insightful stories for these movies on Sonoma Christian Home.
Please continue to search for and support the best movies for your friends and families. Be aware that the titles and trailers of some movies make them appear to be family-friendly when they are not. More and more Hollywood studios and independent ones are making better and better family movies, but there are also movies that may seem family-friendly that have politically correct themes with subtle messages that you may find incorrect or blatant language and situations that you find disturbing.
Some movie publicity makes some movies seem family-friendly; but when they are seen at a theater end up marred by foul language and other crass, inappropriate elements. All seemingly family-friendly movies are not equal in terms of family values, including superhero movies! It is critical for movie viewers who want uplifting, entertaining, and wholesome experiences for themselves and those they love to research movies written by trustworthy sources before they see them. Further, all movie review and recommendation sources are not equal. Make sure you read reviews by those you respect who have previewed movies you are considering. All movies that glitter are not gold even with cute, seemingly innocent characters or with light humor. Buyer beware. Make careful, informed choices. The best family movies can be entertaining, educational, and edifying.
The best is yet to come when we continue to support the ongoing reformation in content and renaissance in artistry in media and movies. As audiences continue to see good family and redemptive movies in theaters, keeping them at the top of the box office, more good movies like them are being made. Watch for many top picks this year of redemptive movies that continue to improve in the ongoing renaissance of artistry and reformation of content in movies. Remember that the teams of good family and redemptive movies include consumers, who determine the success and wide global distribution of good family, redemptive movies. We are making good progress in encouraging major Hollywood studios to produce good family and redemptive movies, as well as supporting independent studios to do the same.
Here’s to a blessed 2019!
To learn more about this author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard
See Dr. Howard’s top picks lists on IMDb.
Edited, laid out, and published to site by Melanie Pickett
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