Power of the Air

Written and produced by Dave Christiano

The Plot

A Missionary from Africa comes to the United States and shares with a concerned Christian how he feels the church in America is being deceived and in great danger. The Christian is very convicted by what he hears, makes a significant change in his life, and then sets forth a plan to reach his city with the gospel. He faces unexpected challenges, costs and struggles to execute his idea, plus the uncertainty of knowing if his effort will produce any results. This movie is about the power of Hollywood and the media, and how it affects your life.

Key points

• A missionary shares his experience of the church in America. The message is, it’s being deceived and is in great danger.

• The Christian who hears the missionary’s message feels convicted and acts on the conviction by changing his life.

• The Christian goes beyond the desire to change his life, and makes plans to share the gospel with his entire city.

• The Christian faces challenges when he tries to implement the plan.

• The Christian faces uncertainty as to whether his effort will produce results.

• The plot concludes by saying the film wants to bring attention to the power Hollywood and the media have, and how it affects lives.

1. Does the plot glorify God?

Yes, as the first person mentioned is a missionary: The definition of a missionary from the Oxford dictionary, is a person who is sent to a foreign country to teach people about Christianity. The Christian in the film, David, felt convicted, changed his ways and felt compelled to spread the gospel to his city. God was glorified by the illustration of one of the many ways God can move people into place for His purpose. As for the line about the power of Hollywood - I took that as a warning, not a declaration of ultimate power, since 1 John 4:4 says He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. So Hollywood and the media will only have the amount of power people allow it to have.

2. Does the film content glorify God through His Word: Are there Bible verses throughout the film, and does the film promote keeping His commandments?

• The main character, David, quotes Psalm 16:11 - in thy presence is the fullness of joy. He was in a conversation with his wife and was speaking of how Christians should want to be in the presence of God, all the time.

• In a conversation with David, the missionary spoke of the last days, when men will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. This was taken from 2 Timothy 3:1-7 - which describes in detail what the last period of earth’s history will be like.

• The Christian man David visits at the Radio station says, “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man,” after David repeated to him some of the things the missionary had told him, The verse was taken from Luke 5:8.

• David mentions the two witnesses at the end of time, in Revelation 11:8-9.

• David mentioned that Jesus had said he was the light of the world, the door, the true vine, the way, the truth and the life. These verses can be found in John 15;1, and John 14:6,

• Other verses mentioned

  • While we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

  • Whoever shall call upon his name shall be saved (Romans 10:13)

  • All have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23)

  • Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)

  • David told his volunteers that he had a list of Bible verses and churches prepared for the people they hoped to reach.

  • David said he didn’t want his action to be about numbers, he wanted it to be all about God, as God draws people to himself . Reference to John 6:44

The Ten Commandments

1. Promotes God as the only God

   1. Main character (David Williams) wants to honour the Lord with his action to spread the gospel to his city

   2. David comes to the conclusion that Christians should choose godly entertainment or nothing at all.

   3. David lifts up the authority of God during a conversation with a colleague - when he said that there is only one God, as it states in the Bible.

2. Promotes being free from idols or refrain from promoting idols

   1. Entertainment is shown as the biggest idol that has been presented to the world: TV, internet streaming, radio, video games, movie theatres, etc. The message is that we must free ourselves from this idol.

   2. David states that the entertainment most Christians watch is Christless and they don’t even realize it. He states that being a Christian means focus on Christ-related things - not the world.

   3. After David stopped going to the movie theatre, he became more focused and sensitive to Christ-related things. His colleague complimented him on writing an excellent report at work - his best yet. David pointed to his change of lifestyle to Christian values as the reason for his improved focus.

   4. The missionary called the movie theater the most powerful church in America based on the amount of people it draws into its buildings and the effect it has on their lives.

   5. David - what if people stopped watching godless media? He wanted to start a revolution against the media and turn things around by using the media to spread the gospel, instead of sin.

   6. There was a suggested media test which had two parts to it. The point of the test was to see whether a person’s focus was on the world or on God. We’ll come back to this media test a bit later on in the review.

3. Does not use His name in vain

   1. The missionary spoke of how people didn't react to hearing the Lord’s name taken in vain in the movie theatres, or other types of media, but they would be appalled if it happened during their church service. The missionary was shocked at the lack of acknowledgement that there shouldn’t be a difference in where we are - the Lord’s name should never be used in vain.

4. Promote the Sabbath or refrain from promoting Sunday as the day of

worship?

The missionary asked David which day he went to worship service, but he

didn’t promote Sunday as the biblical day of rest.

1. Honours parents or refrains from promoting dishonour of parents? N/A

2. Speak against murder or refrain from promoting murder?

   1. Someone in the film is murdered, and it is depicted in the correct light - a sin, not as entertainment.

3. Speak against adultery or or refrain from promoting adultery?

   1. At the beginning of the film, when both husbands see nudity on the big screen, it is addressed as sinful, but not in the context of adultery. Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that a man who looks at a woman in lust has committed adultery. Although the wives of the two men put their hands over their husband’s eyes, the couples laughed at the nudity incident - not taking it seriously. However, this was before the character David meets the missionary.

4. Speak against theft or refrain from promoting theft? N/A

5. Speak against lies or refrain from promoting lies?

   1. The president of the biggest radio station lied, and her employee’s reaction illustrated that it was wrong.

   2. One of the church committee members was manipulative and tried to stand in the way of David carrying out his media project. The committee member's behaviour was shown as unsavory.

6. Speak against jealousy or refrain from promoting jealousy? N/A

What Christian standards does the film convey?

• Scripture alone

  • David tells of his confidence in the Bible to the secretary at the biggest radio station

  • David writes down the steps to salvation using verses from the Bible in anticipation of making contact with the public.

• Salvation through Christ alone (does not promote good works)

  • The missionary’s message about reaching with the gospel, in the evening service. He stressed that people need to hear the gospel before it is too late for them (as in before they died).

  • The main character, David, wanted to do more for the Lord - he wanted to actively spread the good news of the gospel.

  • A scene with a local church committee meeting brainstorming about how to spread the gospel.

  • David’s conversation with the youth playing basketball - he asks them if they attend church service and asks questions to try and assess how he can reach them for Christ.

  • When an employee at the biggest radio station tries to imply that all religions are the same, David tells her that in world religions man has to do something to get to their god. But with Christianity, God did something to get to man - he sent Jesus.

  • There was reference to a book the missionary’s wrote that spoke of the devil’s plan to distract people away from the gospel, so they never got to hear about the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ

• Biblical marriage

  • David and his wife used prayer to ask for God’s will during their challenges

  • David and his wife were very supportive of each other - body language (holding hands, smiling. soft spoken)

  • Peaceful, respectful conversations.

  • The youth that David spoke to. The teeager spoke of the pain of divorce.

Husband as the head in his home and the local church

• David was the spiritual leader in his home, as he relayed information to his wife and told her that he felt convicted. She willingly read the material he gave her and reflected on her behaviour too.

• David apologized to the Lord, then to his wife for his weakness with worldly entertainment. He apologized for leading her astray - humble, yet strong because he admitted that he had been wrong.

• Reuben, David’s colleague and friend, also apologized to his wife for putting wordly entertainment first and leading her astray.

• David and Reuben clearly wanted to be better model spiritual leaders in their homes, so they listened to the warning given to them by the missionary.

• The Christian radio owner’s decision to cancel their regular movie reviews slot on their station, until they could find Christian movies to review. This was their biggest income generator, but he wanted to be a better spiritual leader for his employees.

• Recognition of the value of life and blessing in children N/A

• Modesty of dress

  • The missionary talks about nudity in films being commonplace and too many Christians not seeing it as a sin, just a part of the entertainment.

  • The main characters repent over seeing nudity and explain how this is wrong to a couple of their colleagues, who then see nudity in entertainment, in a different light

• Recognition of the body as the temple of God

  • The missionary speaks of how people are degraded on the big screen, and Christians are among the people in the audience. They are deluded into thinking that it is not sin - just harmless entertainment. He challenges David to reflect on how he would feel if the person exposing themselves on the big screen was someone he knew.

Does the film give glory, honour and thanks to God?

• The Pastor at the local church says “Lord, bless your word that just went forth,” when he hears the message of the gospel on the radio - his reaction is powerful. You see his attention is immediately grabbed as the word of God fills his office. You see him smile at the sweet sound of the Word of God.

• The missionary’s conversations with David have God being given honour as the focus.

• Feeling convicted, David in turn wants to give honour to God. This has a domino effect on his wife, and colleagues.

Did the film encourage my faith?

Yes, because it’s about wanting to actively be a part of spreading the wonderful news of salvation and encouraging people to connect to the Word of God. I related to starting projects and having doubt cast on them and the feeling of doubt and humility as you step forward in faith. I relate to wanting to be a better servant of Christ and live by the Word, by God’s grace, to avoid loving or wanting to be part of the trappings of this world.

What actions did I do, as a result of seeing the film?

The first time I saw the film, I took a second glance at the films and other media I watched or listened to, even though I had previously filtered through my sources of entertainment. We are bombarded with so much that the sorting process is a life process for me, that I have to be aware of every single day. I am thankful that I have the help of the Lord through it all.

Would I change anything about the film?

• The media test - Don’t use any media for 1 week (TV, magazines, books, radio, films, etc.), then the next week, don’t pray, don’t read the Bible, go to church services, (like God doesn’t exist). Then go back to your normal routine and be honest with yourself about which week you missed the most.

• Does the Bible back up this suggested media test? Disconnecting from worldly entertainment and influences to put our daily focus on the Word of God is backed up by scripture:

  • Colossians 3:1-2 says: 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

  • John 17:15-17: 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

  • Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

  • James 4:4 (friend with world, enemy of God, 1 John 2:15-17, Phillpians 3:20 (these extra verses are not in the podcast))

• But the second part of the media test, where it's suggested you disconnect from God for a week goes against the Word of God .

  • 1 Peter 5:8 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

  • Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17. pray without ceasing,

• We are in a spiritual war. We can’t afford to go one day without being connected to God, let alone one week. A battle requires armour. Ephesians 6:10 - 18 says to put on the whole armour of God, that you are able to stand, in the evil day. Put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, your feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and above all, put on the shield of faith, to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. Put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

SUMMARY

The film really promotes the message of the free gift of salvation and being active disciples of Jesus Christ - being a part of the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20. It was obviously not their intention, but the second part of the suggested media test goes against the Word of God. To disconnect from God for a week would be like choosing to act like an atheist for a week. Faith is not something we turn off and on like a light switch. If we want to test whether our hearts are in the right place then we can ask the Lord to search our hearts, as referenced in His Word:

Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Film site: www.christianfilms.com or www.christianmovies.com

Thank you for taking the time to listen to this review. Until next time - peace be with you.

Source for film thumbnail: https://christianmovies.com/collections/frontpage/products/power-of-the-air