While some Christians are raising objections over the casting of actor and homosexual activist Chad Allen to play two Christian characters in the movie End of the Spear, producers approved the homosexual actor's selection for the part and one of them even dared to consider the possibility that God may have been behind it.
End of the Spear, which opened in theaters on Friday, January 20, tells the story of five young Christian missionaries, pilot Nate Saint among them, who were brutally murdered in the jungles of Ecuador 50 years ago by members of the fiercely violent Waodani people.
The film goes on to depict how the martyred pilot's son, Steve Saint, who was five years old when his father and friends were slain, returns to the Waodani as an adult and befriends them, even becoming a good friend to one of those involved in the murder of his father and the other missionaries.
Playing the role of both Saints, father and son, in the film is Chad Allen, an openly homosexual stage and screen star who has spoken publicly on same-sex marriage and other 'gay civil rights' issues. In an interview with In L.A. magazine, the actor noted that he has a Catholic Christian background but now embraces a spirituality that encompasses Buddhist, Hindu, and Native American influences as well.
Christian Bloggers Blast Casting of Homosexual Lead Actor
The choice of Allen to play the part of the Saints has been met with strong reactions ranging from surprise to outrage among evangelical Christians. On January 13, Jason Janz posted an article in the blog at SharperIron.org, stating his concerns over the End of the Spear producers' casting decision and asking concerned pastors to add their names to his letter to Mart Green and Every Tribe Entertainment, thus expressing their objections.
Since its posting, the article has been viewed over 20,000 times and more than 100 pastors have signed the letter, which has now been sent to the addressees. Meanwhile, blogger Tim Challie, a Baptist who lives in Canada, has opened a lively discussion of the issue on his website by expressing his personal concerns over the selection of Allen for the film and the opportunities it has created for the activist to spread his viewpoint.
Challie notes that Allen appeared on an installment of "Larry King Live" this week, during which Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler also appeared and defended the biblical view of marriage against the actor's more permissive and relativistic beliefs. Recently, the Christian blog founder wrote, "I can't help but conclude that the producers of this film erred when they hired a known, proud, activist homosexual to portray a man who gave his life for the Lord. I just hopethat we, as Evangelicals, haven't provided a platform to a person who will share a message that dishonors the One whom this movie ought to honor."
