Protect & Defend Movie Week

This week on the Disney XD channel is called the "Protect & Defend Movie Week," with film greats such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Eragon (2006), and The Incredibles (2004).

I enjoy all three films. They're filled with overcoming great odds, believing in something greater than yourself, and the most popular theme of all time – good versus evil. I don't think I'm alone in my appreciation. Millions upon millions of men, women, and children went to the cinema and bought DVD or digital copies.

Films are an important part of our pop culture, but they reveal a lot more. Each of these movies, for instance, is about simple folk reaching beyond themselves to discover a fantastically noble person inside. Each of these movies demonstrates moments of choosing to do the right thing despite the potential, personal loss. And each give the viewer an all around "good feeling" inside.

A couple of years ago, in a conversation with singer, songwriter, and author Michael Card, he told me that his mentor, Dr. William Lane believed that every Hollywood film has a messianic theme. Since that time with Michael, I've thought long and hard about that as I watch movies to conclude that he is right. Despite our cultural rejection of Christ and the Bible, there remains an avid hunger for a redeemer . . . and it shows in our blockbuster films.

Next time you go to the movies, as you munch on that popcorn and take in the silver screen, keep an eye open for that messianic character up there who saves the day, or makes the ultimate sacrifice. And when someone asks you what you thought of the movie, you'll have a new way to share your faith. Now that's a noble plan!

"The noble man devises noble plans and by noble plans he stand"