by Pastor Todd Braye, Sovereign Grace Baptist Church
As providence would have it, my wife and I watched the movie Fireproof last night on television. It is the story of a marriage on the rocks. The plot is simple: Husband Caleb (Kirk Cameron) receives a gift from his father. It's a book outlining 40 days of practical helps to woo his distant, hurt wife back to him (one "help" or word of counsel per day for 40 days). The movie is a two-hour emotional trip. Doubtless, many married couples will relate. The story ends happily ever after. Ultimately, it's the gospel that saves the marriage. Yes, only what was accomplished on the cross as Christ paid the penalty for sin and purchased the benefits of the New Covenant, that the heart of the matter is dealt with.
The movie and accompanying study material has been available at Christian bookstores for quite some time. Perhaps this is why I feel so compelled to offer a brief critique. To be sure, there are aspects of the movie that are commendable. It was inexpressibly amazing to hear the name of Jesus used in the context of salvation, to hear marriage expressed in terms of covenant (not contract), and to see Scripture on my TV screen. The movie may very well be a conversation starter. Soli Deo Gloria!
However, the gospel, while no echoes of "asking Jesus into your heart" could be heard, was definite "gospel light." The command for repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was missing (Acts 20:21). In its place was an appeal to needing forgiveness after a quick fatherly exposition of a few commandments (e.g. murder and adultery) and an implicit expression of God's unconditional, undeserving love. This is fine as far as it goes. But this is inadequate. Repentance from sin must be preached. The expressions "Give your life to Christ" or "Trust Him with your life" as a response is vague at best and a far cry from "Repent ..."
Furthermore, it isn't biblical to assume that the Gospel will automatically fix broken marriages. It might. But it might not. Read 1 Corinthians 7, for instance. The Gospel may even further estrange a couple - what fellowship has light with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14f)? The Gospel is not a miracle fix-it remedy, guaranteed to repair all our sorrows (not in this life). So, while Fireproof has a happy, almost fairy-tale ending, keep your Bible open and brain on. Fireproof, while I applaud its intentions, may give false hopes to many believers and unbelievers.
Go ahead and watch it. Check it out for yourself. I, for one, would like to get my hands on that book of 40 "helps." Not that my marriage is on the rocks. It isn't. But every marriage is worth working on. Besides, it's hard not to care for what you invest in. Christ invested His life in His bride. Should not godly men do the same with theirs?
No comments:
Post a Comment