Fireproof

Last night my wife and I went to see the movie “Fireproof” with cautious anticipation.

Even though I had heard several good things about “Fireproof,” I had throttled my anticipation for this movie due to somewhat of a letdown I experienced with the maker’s first movie “Facing The Giants.” In anticipation of “Facing The Giants” I was so excited about a positive Christian film being at the theaters that I “endorsed” it based on its concept and reviews before seeing it myself. I didn’t want to make that mistake with this one, even though my hopes were high.

For the record, I am very happy and thankful for both movies insofar as having placed a positive movie option for families to enjoy without the fear of blasphemous language, nudity, and things that are offensive to God and His believers. I don’t want to rehash my review of “Facing The Giants” here, but for those who missed my mixed message on that movie, I’ll briefly summarize my criticism:

While I enjoyed the entertainment value and football theme of Facing The Giants, I think the gospel message in that movie was very weak and “squishy,” and the “turn to Jesus and He will fix everything in your life” message left an unrealistic view of the gospel to a Biblically uninformed mind. For the Biblically literate person, I thought it was a fun and entertaining movie. As a gospel witness, I thought it missed the target. It was because of the latter that I was somewhat cautious about “Fireproof.”

However, after hearing that Kirk Cameron had been invited to be involved in the “Fireproof” project, I’ll admit my optimism increased for this one. So I approached the theater last night, hopefully optimistic but somewhat cautious.

For the superficial aspects, I thought the acting in “Fireproof” was about the same as in “Facing The Giants.” Understanding the “ministry” aspect of this movie, the lesser roles were obviously not as polished as most Hollywood produced films. However, with Kirk Cameron playing the leading role where much of the plot was focused, his professional experience and quality acting made “Fireproof’s” overall acting quality higher.

Personally, knowing that Kirk met his real wife on the set of Growing Pains, and remembering their acting chemistry in that show, I wish she had played the role of Kirk’s wife in “Fireproof.” I think she would have further increased the acting quality of the movie. All in all though, the novice acting was more noticeable in the beginning of “Fireproof,” but once the story line “grabbed” me, it was less noticeable and did not decrease the enjoyable experience of the movie.

After the first few scenes, I was worried that the seriousness of the story line may end up making it too “heavy,” but several very well-done action scenes put that concern to rest very quickly. Moreover, the seriousness was also broken up at the right times with some well-placed moments of humor.

There were several twists and turns in the movie which made me realize in the end, that there were actually several plots taking place all along in many of the earlier scenes. This aspect makes me want to see it again so I can see those plots in more detail in the early parts of the movie.

As far as the more serious and theological elements, I thought this was where the movie really shined in contrast to “Facing The Giants.”

The most obvious was the scene where the gospel message was presented. Leading up to this scene, credibility was given to the gospel by having true Christian character being witnessed by others. In one previous scene, Kirk says to one firefighter, about the faith of another, “You may not agree with him, but you and I both know he is the ‘real deal’.” A comment that all Christians should desire to be said of them.

In the scene where Kirk hears the gospel - I was most impressed. The gospel was presented to him, not as a “try Jesus” method of having a good life, but as someone who has violated the commandments of God and is in need of redemption. In a great play on words, after hearing the gospel, Kirk vents to his dad about his wife and their problems, and the words he uses to describe his wife are the very words God could use to describe Kirk’s attitude toward God. BAM! The holiness of God and the desperation of man in need of a Savior was clearly articulated in this scene. It gave me goose-bumps to be honest.

Another Biblical aspect of the movie that I really liked was the clear demonstration of how the gospel truly changes someone. Paul says that we are “new creations” when we are “in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). Contemporary evangelical Christianity often promotes the idea that Christians should behave like the world in order to be “relevant.” The attitude of “You’re cool, and I’m cool, and I like Jesus, so you probably would like Jesus too, why don’t you try Jesus and see how cool He is,” has become a common false “gospel” of our day. This often leads Christians to a false “permission” to sin while trying to act like the world, when in reality the Bible teaches us to be in the world but not of the world.

In “Fireproof” the message is very clear that sinners are expected to act like sinners, but that the gospel changes one’s desires from loving their sin to hating their sin, and from hating righteousness to hungering and thirsting after righteousness. It achieves this while also demonstrating that the Romans 7 battle which Paul experienced is true for all Christians as well. The reality of how hard the Christian life can be comes out and brings more Biblical credibility to the story. The movie demonstrates well that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:15) and that obeying God often prevents sinful consequences, but unlike “Facing The Giants,” it does so without insinuating that becoming a Christian will fix all of life’s ills.

Biblical messages are highlighted throughout the movie in the wisdom of mature Christians. The Biblical idea that “love” is not a feeling or an emotion, but is a decision, is demonstrated both in the gospel presentation, as what Christ has done for us, as well as in how we should love others. Forgiveness also is demonstrated Biblically, not as simply forgetting what others have done to us, but as a decision to not hold things against others or use them to harm the relationship - just as Christ has done for us.

“Fireproof” succeeds in showing that the gospel is powerful in killing desires and saving sinners for the glory of God. While the movie adequately entertained me to the end, I felt like I had been in a Biblically-centered two-hour counseling session when I left. That may sound negative to some, but I don’t mean that in a negative way. The messages were very clear and Biblically sound and demonstrated how powerful the true gospel of Christ is in repairing relationships as well as in saving lost souls.

Go see it.

Worth your time!!! All should see it. Young and old, Married and single...Great movie ! True message!
Wake up America...

I watched, I cried, I laughed and felt sad, that I could, at diffentent times in my life identify with the gossiping girls
(giving worldly advise) and with the wife that didn't respect her husband. I was heart sick to see only 12 people watching compared to the 75 plus that watched Nights in Rodanthe, which I give 1.5 starts.

Fireproof's message is Eternal and life changing. It gives one hope that God is faithful and will restore the years the locust have eaten. I'll see it again and buy it when it is available.

A great original screen play. The actors are all very believable. Kirk Cameron shows that he is still growing. The movie has some wonderful special affects which keep you into the movie's plot. A fantastic message and a very touching story. I think every couple should see this movie. It makes for a great date night flick not just for a chick.