Tonight I went to see a movie called Redeeming Love, based on the Francine Rivers novel of the same title. When I worked at the Lighthouse Christian Bookstore 20 plus years ago, it was flying off the shelf. The fictional account of the story of Hosea. I won''t break it down here, but if you are not familiar with the Bible story, it is a portrait of God's relentless love, give it a read.
We had a group of ladies interested, we met for a quick bite to eat, and on to the theater. I had not read any reviews beforehand, and was not even aware that there was an issue until some in the group started to talk about what they had heard. There was a general consensus that maybe some of the scenes went too far, and one comment was made about it being considered soft porn, not suitable for younger eyes.
I decided not to adopt an opinion, but wait and form my own.
If you are reading this and don't know my story, I won't elaborate, suffice it to say that I am a sexual abuse survivor, here today and whole because of that same relentless love of God. I am connected with a ministry called Journey to Heal, and we mentor survivors who reach out for hope and healing, whether a group study setting, or one-on-one. The ministry exists to come alongside the Angels of the world, love them, hear them, listen, and offer the hope of Christ. There are some horrendous stories out there, folks!
That being said, I might agree that if you wish to protect younger eyes, you may want to avoid this film. Maybe things could have been handled with more discretion, but maybe the intended accuracy targeted a more mature audience.
As an adult here is my perspective. There are a couple of scenes that show breasts, but not truly full frontal nudity. There are a few scenes that portray the motions of sexual activity that don't leave much to the imagination. I have seen worse on regular television, and Michael and Angel are married.
To me, it was a heartbreaking yet beautiful story of a trapped soul being set free by true love. Love that LOVES, love that forgives, love that pursues...relentlessly.
The scenes aforementioned, to me and in my opinion, helped to portray the struggle and the transformation as Angel learned to receive love, and eventually to return Michaels affections. Not because she was forced, it was expected of her, or because she OWED him and only understood one method of payment. Each time she runs, you can see the progress that love has made, be it ever so slight, whittling away her defenses.
Another thought that hit me, was that for the majority of the film, Angel walks about as an empty shell. She herself said that she didn’t look back, and she didn’t look forward. Existing…in the present…no feeling, no hope, no joy. Yet in that moment of intimacy, she finally connects with her husband, and the breath of God breathes LIFE into her soul. She opens the door to trust, and Love rushes in. The visual portrayal captures that moment wonderfully.
I heard a rather refined minister one time, when speaking to our call to intimacy with our creator, make this comment according to his study of original language:
“God’s love is better than sex”
So I will leave that right there. 😎
Shame is a powerful thing. It can keep you bound from believing the truth, no matter how many times you hear it. Spoiler alert: one of the breast scenes was Angel in the river, frantically scrubbing herself with rocks after she had witnessed Michael weeping over her in prayer. That being such a stark contrast to her assessment of her own worth, convinced that she did not deserve that kind of love from him. But she began to recognize the shame, and wanted to be clean. He finds her there, and wraps his arms around her.
I personally loved the movie. I was not offended, but again, I am not sheltered from the woundedness and shame portrayed. And may I be bold enough to say that there are women out there who are going to need advocates in the church to not be sheltered as well. Please understand, for those who have not been impacted or personally exposed to this kind of abuse and suffering I am not of the position that you begin filling your mind with such things. James 1:27 defines pure and undefiled religion as visiting orphans and widows and keeping yourself unspotted from the world. If you are unspotted, don't go playing in the mud...but don't be afraid to have honest and transparent conversations.
Maybe this was helpful.
I trust that you will be able to make a wise choice based on your own standards.
