Andrew Erwin on Why Faith Films Don’t Need to Be Totally Biblical
For years, the Church dominated art—until it didn’t. But now, thanks to Christian filmmakers like Dallas Jenkins, Jon Erwin, and Andrew Erwin, Christian film is no longer just trying to keep pace. In many ways, Christian film is leading the way because these storytellers are sharing stories with real meaning.
Shows and movies like The Chosen, House of David, Jesus Revolution, and I Can Only Imagine have changed the game and impacted thousands.
I sat down recently with Andrew Erwin where we discussed more about these faith films.
Why Biblical Dramas Don’t Need Perfect Biblical Accuracy
I know people like to critique shows like The Chosen or House of David because the portrayals aren’t as exactly described in the Bible. But I’m willing to cut these creators some slack.
That’s something Andrew and I both agreed on in our conversation; it’s okay if a Christian film isn’t totally biblically accurate.
The job of Christian filmmakers isn’t to replace the Bible or do the Church’s work. Films are here to touch emotions and plant the seed.
In Andrew’s view, Christian films used to try to be everything—and that’s why so many of them fell flat. He said, “ We’re there to plant the seed… to kind of be that opening hook that allows preachers to come in, and the Church to come in, and tell the rest of the story.”
The Similarity Between Christian Filmmaking and Preaching
In a similar way, at the Harvest Crusades, I often begin with a relatable story.
And while I always want to get to Scripture—because that’s where the real power lies—I start with a story because a story is what prepares the heart and makes a human connection.
Conversation Excerpt: Andrew Erwin on How Jesus Used Storytelling
Andrew Erwin:
“ That methodology originates with Jesus. Because He did two different things: He told parables, and then He taught truth.
He would tell a story that was great master class storytelling. He would hook people in emotionally.
It wasn’t about quoting Scripture… It was just telling a story. And then that parable would be pointing towards truth… but it would engage people emotionally.
But then the true seekers would come to him and say, ‘What did that mean?’ And then He would sit down like, ‘Let me tell you the rest.’
And so it’s two pieces of the storytelling… and I think that’s the power of film. And that’s where I think the key was really unlocked for a lot of us as filmmakers, where we began to say, ‘Oh! This is our part of the equation. We’re the parables.’
But the Church is never replaced. The Church is always God’s instrument for His work here on earth.
And so the idea is to give the Church a tool to then go tell great truth.”
Film Is a Tool for the Church
Film is a beautiful tool. I’m grateful for filmmakers like Andrew Erwin for giving us a great way to reach people.
With Jesus Revolution, people were moved to get baptized at Pirate’s Cove and accept Jesus after seeing the film. The reality is there are many people who will go into a movie theater that wouldn’t consider darkening the doorway of a church. That’s the power of this work.
