Directed by Dan Merchant
Bent Pyramid Productions
lordsaveusthemovie.com
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Why is it that saying the word “Jesus” makes some people scream with anger or cower in fear? That’s one of many questions Dan Merchant explores in this entertaining, fascinating, depressing and inspiring documentary that opens in theaters nationwide Sept. 25, 2009.
“Why is the Gospel of love dividing America?” he asks men and women he encounters on his cross-country quest to investigate the collision of faith and culture in America. “How effective is the impact we are really having?”
In a manner that’s gentle and firm, Merchant shows Christians that it’s often their own deeds that cause many Americans to equate Christianity with hate instead of love.
Merchant conducts exclusive interviews with “liberals” (Tony Campolo, Al Franken), “conservatives” (Rick Santorum, Michael Reagan) and others (racial reconciliation activist Dr. John Perkins) who defy our narrow categories. The film also features soundbites from Bono, Rick Warren, Jerry Falwell, George Clooney, James Dobson and other cultural leaders.
He offers hilarious segments, such as a “Culture Wars” game show on which non-Christians demonstrate they know a lot more about Christians than Christians know about them.
Merchant also attends a gay pride event in San Francisco where he sits down and has meaningful discussions with members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community. Youth workers will be particularly interested to see Merchant’s interview with Ron Luce, whose Battle Cry youth event in San Francisco polarized the city and heated up the pages of YouthWorker Journal in 2006.
Lord, Save Us from Your Followers isn’t for everyone, but those who have ears to hear Merchant’s message will be challenged to live out their faith in ways that provide a more redemptive approach than the offensive, turn-or-burn methods employed by Christians in the past.
