THE GOSPEL IN FILM — LET’S GET REAL: THE OLD TESTAMENT IS NOT FOR CHILDREN
The Old Testament does not shy away from the darkness of the human heart. It is raw, unflinching, and at times brutally honest about sin, violence, and the depths to which mankind can fall. If it were a movie, many of its stories would be rated R—or even X—by today’s standards. And yet, God inspired every word, trusting His people with the truth of reality, not a sanitized version of life.
Consider Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), cities consumed by their own immorality, where men sought to commit unspeakable acts against guests in Lot’s house. The aftermath is no less shocking: Lot’s daughters, in their desperation, commit incest to preserve their family line.
Judges 19 gives a story so harrowing it would challenge even the hardest of hearts today: a Levite’s concubine is brutally raped and murdered, her body dismembered and sent as a message to the tribes of Israel. These are not tales of heroism or legend; they are narratives of sin, consequence, and divine judgment.
David falls into adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the death of her husband Uriah to cover his sin (2 Samuel 11-12). Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar, leaving a trail of disgrace, murder, and shattered family bonds (2 Samuel 13). Samson’s violent exploits and Jephthah’s tragic vow in Judges expose the raw, destructive nature of human pride and impulsive action. The Old Testament is full of graphic, morally complex material—violence, lust, betrayal, revenge, and bloodshed. (Now tell me again why Man on Fire shouldn’t be one of my favorite films.)
And yet, this is not to glorify sin, but to show the consequences of a world estranged from God. These stories are not for children, nor are they meant to be comforting. They are meant to teach us the seriousness of sin, the depth of human brokenness, and the desperate need for a Redeemer.
Without Christ, the Old Testament leaves us staring into the darkness of our own hearts. With Christ, it points forward to the mercy and redemption that only God can provide. Every act of injustice, every betrayal, every failure recorded in Scripture cries out for the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
Like a modern R-rated film, the Old Testament challenges, convicts, and awakens the soul. It is not entertainment; it is a mirror. It reminds us that the world is fallen, that humanity is in desperate need, and that God’s grace is the only hope for salvation. If we read it with eyes open and hearts attentive, we see the full weight of sin—and the glory of God’s mercy that surpasses it.
BDD
