Hollywood has served up it’s share of trash in the past, but the new movie, “Orphan” is as about as rotten as it gets. Who could dream up a plot that turns an orphan into a villain? Both the Christian press (see Orphans Deserve Better) and the mainstream press (Dr. Jane Aronson’s New York Times article, New York Times Magazine) have panned it. The Washington Post said this about it:
“a depraved, worthless piece of filth…a high-gloss horror show about a well-meaning couple who bring home a 9-year-old girl to join their family, only to discover, way too late, that she’s a homicidal psychopath.”
The Bible defines our view of the orphan: we are to care for, defend and serve them in their distress…NOT depict them as monsters. Some people are boycotting the movie and/or Warner Brothers. I’d like to take it another step. As Christ-followers, we have an opportunity to respond in a “opposite spirit”, and that is to speak good, bless, and provide a positive response. So Tom Davis, a national leader in caring for orphans, has called God’s people to do something about it:
“I want to challenge my readers and friends to write 500 positive blog posts about how an orphan has impacted and changed your life.”
Y’know what … I think that’s a great idea. So I’m passing it on to you, our readers, to speak up for the orphan. As adoptive parents, you have been positively impacted by the orphan(s) in your lives and families. Some of you may even be an orphan whose life has been impacted by people who cared for you. I believe we can help Tom easily exceed 500 positive posts nationally. You can start right here by adding your comment to this blog. And then, tell a family member and friend to add theirs! Let’s bless, and not trash, God’s children.
There are many days when it seems most people are deaf to the cries of orphans. Complaicancy is difficult enough to fight. But when there is an attack against orphans, everything is taken to a new level. This is when we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come into the hearts and minds of those who have the ability to help. Disrupt the designs of the Evil One. Send us as your ambassadors to continue to speak for children who have no voice.”
Love your heart, Mark!
Will write an article for our blog and share with others!
Blessings,
Steph
I am a person who was an orphan on this earth in the human sense, but I am not an orphan in God’s Kingdom. God’s grace and love is the only reason I can ever attempt to be a blessing to others despite my circumstances and I think that rings true for all believers, orphans or not. Despite how horrific the film is, we can only hope and pray that God uses it to spark conversation in our society about the need to love orphans and not portray them as Hollywood has chosen in this film. Only God can turn something that seems so bad into something good, and for that I am very grateful because that is what he has done for me.
I agree with Tara. We may not be able to change the film at this point, but we can affirm that God can use this event to spur positive conversations about orphans and adoptions. Like most “horror” movies, how many people have ever encountered someone so disturbed, orphan or not? The other good thing is that most reviewers have given it bad reviews, so it’s probably not going to get a wide audience.
My husband and I adopted our oldest child three and a half years ago. I thought, when we adopted, about the home and family that we were providing for him, but God has used him to teach us and provide us with so much more. We have learned about God’s timing and provision. Also, He has given us a closer look at His love for and adoption of us as His children. We will forever be thanking God for John Isaac and the wonderful miracle of adoption!
When my wife and I were training to be House parents at a local children’s home, the orphans were “showing out” in a negative way. They were calling names, yelling and being disobedient. They had problems, but they were not freaky killers.
Our tummies were turning. What do we do? Do we leave now before we’re commited? We searched the Scriptures that night for answers and came across Matt 25. Jesus’ is going to judge us base on how we treated Him, through the least of these, on this earth. I realized it didn’t really matter how the orphan treated me, because I was truly serving Jesus. Then there was a cross reference to James 1:27. This time, I realized I was living out true religion, and this verse was another confirmation that it didn’t really matter how I’m treated in return.
This sick movie is an inapropriate and false extreme. However, I’ve learned that doing God’s work isn’t always pretty. No matter how orphan care may turn out, the beutifully positive aspect, is that we’re ministering to Jesus and living out Pure religion that God our Father accepts.