Recognizing the Gospel

There is one thing that astounds me in the controversy surrounding “End of the Spear.” It is the accusation that the film doesn’t contain the gospel. While it is true that there is no invitation at the end and no strains of “Just As I Am” in the soundtrack, that is by design to hopefully, by the literate use of symbol, reference, subtlety, and the perspective of an exotic non-American people group using their own language and unique syntax, engage our culture at large and give them a reason to care about the gospel we want them to come to accept. For those who think a flat-out, in-your-face gospel message is the only legitimate presentation, consider that Jesus spoke differently to the multitudes than to his disciples and often used parables and veiled meanings. The astounding thing is that far on the other end of the spectrum, several pagan, God-hating movie critics have stated in their reviews that something they do not like about the film is that it is all about the gospel and God and Jesus! I have to ask, if a pagan can recognize the gospel when he sees it, why can’t some Christians?

The script makes statements along these lines:

"Waengongi left us carvings to mark his good trail. He doesn't want us to kill but to follow His carvings and live happily and in peace. Waengongi had a son, Itota, who having been speared, didn’t spear back. He did this so the coming after ones should live well and go to live with Him after they jump the great boa.”

Nate Saint tells young Stevie:

“We can’t ever shoot the Waodani. They aren’t ready for heaven. We are.”

If this isn’t viewed as the gospel, I have to wonder, is this a matter of arrogance that the name “Jesus” must be spoken in English to count? Does “preaching” have to be done by a guy in a suit standing in a pulpit to count? Or do these folks miss the gospel references out of stupidity? I really have a hard time believing it could be any of these things since they seem to have enough intelligence to write on a blog. But what else can it be? Somebody please help me figure it out.