Cristobal Krusen, Writer/Director
EchoLight Distribution, DocuDrama, 68 min., $22.98
Many of us in ministry have a short list of authors and speakers we turn to again and again for clarity, inspiration, theological stimulation and sermon ideas. They are the ones we tend to read and study on a regular basis, and they shape our spiritual direction. For many boomers, Josh McDowell was absolutely on that short list, if not at the top.
Josh McDowell forever will be remembered for his user-friendly approach to apologetics found in his bestselling Evidence that Demands a Verdict, as well as more than 100 other books. Through this book and his many lectures, McDowell helped many of us defend our faith.
Now we learn the rest of the story in Undaunted: The Early Life of Josh McDowell, which delivers just what the title suggests. In a powerful film with beautiful cinematography and an ethereal soundtrack, we get to meet and know Josh, the 6-year-old farm kid growing up in a very broken family. The film chronicles how his life was impacted by hatred, violence, alcoholism and sexual abuse. Specifically, the film dramatizes how McDowell repeatedly suffered sexual abuse through many years as he was victimized by a man who worked on the family farm.
Scene after scene shows a young McDowell, exposing his own authentic sorrow resulting from the abuse and subsequent hatred he acquired while growing up on the Michigan farm. There are many poignant moments: from his father’s abuse of his mother to a later scene when Josh forgives his father and tells him he loves him.
The last scene in the film reminds us of how Josh walked out his faith. He has served in ministry for more than 50 years and has been on more college campuses speaking with college students for the sake of the gospel than any current author/speaker. He has lived his life as evidence that demands a verdict.
Undaunted has earned two Crown Awards for Best Evangelistic Film and Best Documentary from the International Christian Visual Media Conference. This is a quality film that you may find helpful for a retreat setting, worship service, as teaching tool or an insightful, enjoyable historical record of the hidden life of one of the best-known Christian authors and speakers of recent decades.
