There has been consecutive amount of Christian films coming out this month. It started with "War Room," continued with "90 Minutes in Heaven" and will culminate with "Captive" which released today. I am encouraged that wholesome Christian films are being released in theaters with the hope that it will send a message to Hollywood and help reach unbelievers. However, I cannot ignore that Christian cinema has a tendency to be cheesy and less cinematic than the more blockbuster films. I would prefer there be more epics with bigger budgets like the upcoming "Risen" film in January.
"90 Minutes in Heaven," is about a pastor named Don Piper played by Hayden Christenson who gets in a horrible car crash and goes to heaven. It has been sometime since we last saw Hayden in "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith." It is ironic that Vader became a Vicar, that the "Chosen One" is now Chosen (Matt. 22:14). That Hayden went from Jedi to Jesus Follower. That he gave up his Jedi Robe for a Pastoral Robe. I could continue the quips and puns, but we shall move on.
The performances in 90 Minutes of Heaven are rather hollow. Kate Bosworth, who plays Eva Pipe, Don's wife, gives the most wooden acting I have seen since a bad Hallmark film. Her emotions are hard to believe and empathize with, save for a memorable scene at McDonalds where she screams in car over her circumstances, and the lady taking the order says, "Uh, we don't have that on menu." Hayden Christenson portrayal of Don Piper is actually convincing. Hayden plays a Piper who has been to paradise and does not want to live and endure the pain of recovery. I found this very realistic and actually moving; who would want to remain on earth after having been in eternity?
The film's greatest moment is actually when Don Piper has recovered and near the end speaks with a youth who has suffered a similar injury. In this moment we see Don's purpose unveiled, that he will help those who have suffered as he did. In this way the film is very encouraging and not the typical happily ever after ending as seen in "War Room." It is through suffering, not miraculously avoiding suffering as in the case of "War Room," that Don Piper finds his calling. If I was to choose a Scripture to summarize the film it would be this: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
I recently read that Dr. John McArthur refutes visiting heaven and coming back. McArthur says, "no one in Scripture went to heaven and came back, they had visions, but they never went and cam back." He then is supported by a verse about Jesus being the one who came from heaven and went back. But McArthur has ignored a major Scripture that refutes his reasoning. The Apostle Paul shares about someone who went to heaven and came back:
"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses." (2 Corinthians 12:2-5).
The Apostle Paul knew someone who went to heaven and returned. Dr. McArthur is wrong and Don Piper's experience of going to heaven has scriptural support.
My hope is that this film will encourage believers and reach unbelievers. It has its weak moments, but any film Jesus Christ wants to use to speak to people about Himself and Heaven deserves praise. I thought overall it was good film, and much better than the toted "War Room" which in my opinion was very unrealistic and makes people believe if they just pray harder everything will happen to work out perfectly. Well I ask what about families where the man doesn't want to change and decides to destroy his marriage even though the wife prayed 20+ years and even fasted? I found 90 Minutes in Heaven contrast much more convincing in that is shows suffering, not avoiding it, to be what God uses to impact Don Piper, and those he comes in contact with. The ending shows how Jesus uses suffering to bring people closer to Him and to serve in helping others. For this reason I recommend the film over War Room.
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