The movie Jesus Revolution opened in theaters in February and took the #3 spot nationally, earning over $15 million the first weekend. By mid-March, it had surpassed $40 million in gross revenue, an eye-catching sum for Hollywood productions.
And after eight weeks in theaters, the film continues to thrive as it shifts to DVD and streaming platforms. That’s good news, not only for Christians, but for our country as well.
What’s it about?
Jesus Revolution dramatizes the events of the Jesus People Movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Based on the excellent book Jesus Revolution, the film focuses on the lives of Calvary Chapel pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), hippie evangelist Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie) and Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney). Laurie shaped the film’s perspective, which portrays his salvation, his call to be a pastor, and the subsequent launch of his Harvest Christian Fellowship.
And the film comes at a significant time, and one that we should pay attention to. It’s not just Christian entertainment. It’s about our national conscience and serves to magnify the condition of our nation and what matters for our future. And it’s a reminder that, no matter how divided we are, there is hope.
Jesus Revolution is not perfect, but it is worthwhile, powerful, and, I would argue, an essential installment in our cultural and spiritual history.
So, if you have not seen Jesus Revolution, here are four reasons you should see it and encourage others to see it, too. (And, by the way, read the book):
- Jesus Revolution proves Christian films are getting better.
Finally Christians have figured out how to portray real life faith and all the mess that goes with it, while still inspiring us to launch into greater things.
Directors Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle are familiar names. Erwin and his brother, Andrew, gave us other solid faith-based films such as October Baby and I Can Only Imagine. The brothers are good at what they do, and Jesus Revolution demonstrates that they are getting even better.
What distinguishes them from other faith-based film makers, such as the Kendrick brothers (Courageous, Fireproof), is authenticity. That is, the Erwin brothers know that not all Christian stories end in worship services and Newsboy concerts.
Most Christians live in the journey between inspiration and perspiration. We, too, struggle to be good parents, battle addictions, wrestle with doubts, and knock heads with other people—usually at church.
But up to now, Christian filmmakers have, for some reason, believed that we couldn’t handle a film that left any questions unanswered or people unsaved.
Perhaps filmmakers were motivated by the need for affirmation from Hollywood. Or maybe they were just giving us what they thought we wanted.
But Jesus Revolution shows that we have finally turned the corner. Faith-based films can be inspirational without being insulting, cheesy, or preachy.
- Jesus Revolution depicts our common spiritual history.
Jesus Revolution depicts crucial events of the 1960s that have shaped America and every citizen born since. Every American should know about these events.
The spiritual awakening of the 1960s gave us Contemporary Christian Music, Explo’ 72, Campus Crusade for Christ, and a host of other ministries and movements that have shaped the spiritual heritage of America. To ignore it is foolish. To affirm it is wise.
And, by the way, notice that this film was released at the same time a revival was spreading across the US, ignited at Asbury University. Coincidence? Nope. A similar revival launched in 1972 at Asbury as a direct result of the Jesus Movement that started in California and is depicted in this movie.
See, there’s just no way around it. Jesus Revolution forces even the most unspiritual and hardened Americans to acknowledge that Christianity has always been influential in our nation. It reminds us that the only way to deny our spiritual history is to willfully ignore it.
- Jesus Revolution provides an apologetic for the truth.
Most of the time, apologetics in Christian films are preachy or heavy-handed, such as in God’s Not Dead or The Case for Christ.
Don’t misunderstand. Those are excellent and accurate films that give a solid foundation for Christian apologetics and serious gospel conversations.
But you can see it coming. You know the atheist will ultimately cave to the logic of Christianity or will be proven wrong by the bright Christian student.
But the apologetic argument of Jesus Revolution is subtle, compelling, and authentic.
Lonnie Frisbee explains to Chuck Smith that hippies do drugs because they are trying to fill a void that ultimately only God can fill. Drug use is an expression of lostness, and it shows the purpose and the hope that we lack, and which can only be satisfied by Christ. God exists, and until we know Him, we will try to fill that void any way we can.
It’s a simple and powerful apologetic for the existence of God. We try to satisfy what is lacking in our lives, but it is Him that we really need (John 7:38).
- Jesus Revolution depicts the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Best of all, the movie portrays grace. God’s lavish grace, and the messy, broken people who need it. And without reservation, the film quietly affirms that Jesus Christ alone is the Giver of God’s grace.
The film doesn’t fudge on this. All people are sinners. They might be hippies, drug addicts, or angry parents. They might be religious legalists, alcoholic moms, absent fathers, or objective journalists. But at one point or another they all must face their sin and their need for Christ.
And anyone can find grace, forgiveness, and new life in Christ (Rom. 6:23, 1 Cor. 6:11).
That’s not to say that, even after coming to Christ, people are perfect. They are not. And alongside the momentous spiritual awakening the Jesus Movement of the 1960s produced in our culture, it also produced some hinky theology and shallow music.
In fact, Lonnie Frisbee’s life became a cautionary tale. Despite receiving God’s grace to save and change him, he eventually succumbed to his struggles with sin.
What about Lonnie?
Progressive Christians complain that the film does not portray Frisbee’s homosexuality honestly, or that the film muffles the truth that he suppressed his homosexuality because of the homophobic environment of the traditional church.
But such theorizing blames the church for sinful rebellion, rather than helping the sinner take responsibility for their sin and be set free in Christ (John 8:36).
The filmmakers answered that complaint. The film is true to the events of the time. The conflict that eventually arose between Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee was over Frisbee’s errant theology, just as the film portrays. His homosexual inclinations were not mentioned in the film simply because they were not relevant to a realistic rendering of the story.
When Lonnie Frisbee departed the tutelage of Chuck Smith, he embraced a more emotionally charged, subjective ministry and started the Vineyard Movement. Later, he yielded to his homosexual desires. His death has been attributed to complications from AIDS.
One more thing
Rather than indict the church, Frisbee’s life affirms the gospel of God’s saving grace and the hazards of dismissing the grip of sin.
So, if you haven’t seen Jesus Revolution, stream it as soon as you can. And acknowledge the grace-filled atmosphere of the film. Invite someone to watch it with you.
Who knows, maybe it will be the start of an awakening in your life, too.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8