Unless you mean God asking him to forgive, which I find totally consistent with Jesus' command. Yes, the world is very cynical, and critics in particular. Years ago I aspired to be one but blessedly realized I didn't want to spend my life tearing down the creative work of others. Life is too short and too precious.…

Zachary, I am spacing on this moment when God asks someone for forgiveness in the movie. When was that?

That's great! Ultimately, as I know you know, it's not just about going to mass or church or doing this or that liturgical gesture but about relationship, which is the very crux of the Trinitarian God we worship. I felt the film, while not intellectually sophisticated (whatever that means in this case) spoke to this…

I wouldn't take Mr. Vishnevetsky's embittered word for it. I loved the movie. Cynicism is truly the god of this age.

Hmmm… yeah, sort of. Doubt is the crucible in which faith is tested. And it can certainly be a necessary, formational one. But the one I follow calls me to faith… audacious, outrageous, absurd (according to this world) faith. My faith is deeper, richer, higher, and stronger for having been salted by doubt. But it's…

Btw, I was not saying the the movie fetishizes doubt. I haven't seen it. I was saying people do.

How wonderful! Thank you for responding. I take it you are Orthodox? I have been too quick to judge, obviously. I would affirm and add to your statement about unknowability and doubt to say that mystery and perseverant, tenacious faith have also always been cornerstones of Christianity from the start. Nevertheless, I…

I appreciate what you're saying, but disagree that The Shack offers a "facile solution" or does not approach suffering seriously. Quite the opposite. I haven't seen Miracles From Heaven, however, so I can't speak to that movie.

Yes, I've been thinking about it. I think I'll read the book first and decide then whether it'd be a fruitful experience for me. I'm guessing the reviewer liked it better because it comes to somewhat ambiguous conclusions, from what I've read - and sort of languishes in the "silent cosmic unknown" which he prefers to…

Seth, I would generally agree with you re: "those" types of films. But this isn't one of them. Have you read The Shack? Do you know much about its author? I saw the movie last night and thought it was a beautiful adaptation. This reviewer is clearly biased.

Oh, why oh why did I bother to read this review? It was so laced with bitterness and venom that it was challenging to even do so. Let's be honest: a movie about Jesus never had a chance with an A/V critic. (And since when is a movie a little over two hours "unconscionably long"?) If you ever tire of relentless…