My Thoughts on the Jesus Revolution Film (and I didn't even watch it 🤪)
Over the past few weeks it’s been interesting to see how people have reacted to this Jesus Revolution movie. To the surprise of many, it did much better at the box office than projected. Makes sense though.
Statistics have objectively shown that Americans enjoy faith-based and positive content.
The blatant propaganda Hollywood espouses (not to mention the awful writing and lack of creative risk) has alienated a huge demographic segment. That “gap in the market” is being discovered by production houses.
Don’t forget that the number one grossing R-rated film of all time is still Mel Gibson’s (love him) “The Passion of Christ”.
I rest my case! Anyways.
In the 1970’s A preacher named Chuck Smith was able to start a massive youth movement that spread all over the States. Many of the young “hippies” from the Woodstalk era started calling themselves “Jesus People” and the impact on the American youth was widespread and profound.
It just makes me think.
Chuck Smith did a great thing and we can all acknowledge that was a special moment in church history, but we would be foolish to not consider the aftermath of this movement, which was truly the beginning of the modern megachurch.
This church growth movement has produced the Lakewoods and Saddleback churches of our time. Massive churches that would be considered more of an organization or business than a church.
These organizations are so corrupt that even secular society realizes it’s shameful. It has left a stain on the public image of the church. People have wised up to the scam.
Men tend to have a habit of trying to capitalize on spiritual highs. Some organic movement happens and suddenly a group comes in to commercialize it.
I think it’s a great time for us to be reminded of this as we’re seeing these worship revivals in Asbury and the universities across the United States.
In fact, even in Israel, yes Israel, we’re seeing thousands of Christians on the streets praising Jesus Christ. If that’s not prophetic then I don’t know what is.
To further clarify my point, I’d like us to consider the early 20th century Pentecostal revival in Azusa St., Los Angeles that touched tens of thousands of people with healings and documented miracles. The beginning of the Pentecostal movement.
It was one of the most beautiful moments of church history, even creating the first black and white church ever in America. True worship of the Holy Spirit unites brothers and sisters from all nationalities, cultures and walks of life. That’s a fruit of a true movement of a God.
But soon after the modernized Pentecostal church became corrupted and fractured into the highly questionable Charismatic movement.
Once again a Church movement fragmented and alienated much of their congregation.
And with all their book sales and chart topping records, I think we can all admit they’ve capitalized quite well.
Don’t even get me started on the reformation and creation of Anglicanism and Lutheranism or John Wesley and the apostate United Methodist Church.
When we look at the whole picture we see an obvious pattern. Opportunistic people take advantage of spiritual movements. Even though many times it’s done with good intentions, eventually it becomes a monster and loses all the power it initially had. Jesus warned us to be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
I want to refer to a Bible story that perfectly encapsulates this habit in the heart of men.
One night, Jesus took Peter, James and John aside and brought them to the Mount of Olives where suddenly he was transformed into a bright shining figure. Moses and Elijah came to minister next to him and during this wonderful scene, Peter, not knowing what to do, blurted out “Lord, let us build three tabernacles, (churches, or monuments) to memorialize the significance of this event!” (I’m paraphrasing obviously).
Almost Immediately the Lord himself had to vibe check Peter and relayed the very simple message “This is my beloved son - listen to him”.
Here was Peter already trying to make a religion out of this moment. But God said, stop, just listen to my son, that's all you have to do!
What a simple Gospel. :) We must be wary, watchful, full of discernment, shrewd as serpents when needed but as peaceful as doves. Let us consider the fruit of a movement and not get swept away in a cult of personality.
Love ya