The Cross: The Arthur Blessitt StoryReviewed by: Brian Johnson Excellent!
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Family, Teens, Adults
Genre:
Christian, Documentary
Length:
1 hr. 32 min.
Year of Release:
2009
USA Release:
March 27, 2009 (201+ theaters)
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Relevant Issues
Stumped about how to share your faith in Christ with others? Our EffectiveEvangelism.com site assists Christians in effectively reaching out to others with love and truth. Learn about the worldview of the people you meet, ways to share the gospel, read stories submitted by site users, and more.—EnterDiscover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
Why is the world the way it is? If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this? (filled with oppression, suffering, death and cruelty) Answer Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on-line, full-length motion picture. Do you understand God’s Story? Take a multimedia journey through the Bible, from Creation to eternity. Hear and read an exciting summary of the Bible’s most important records, in chronological order. Are you going to Heaven? Are you SURE you know the answer this extremely important question? Or have you made some common wrong assumptions? Find out now!… Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer How good is good enough? Answer Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer JESUS CHRIST—Answers to frequently-asked-questionsIs Jesus Christ a man, or is he God? Answer If Jesus is God, how could he die? If Jesus died on the cross, then how can he be alive today? Answer
“How do you live a life of purpose and destiny? One step at a time.” See: our Christian Film News article. In what has been termed “The Great Commission” in the book of Matthew, Jesus instructed his disciples to “Go” and share His gospel message with the world. For centuries, Christians have debated the best and most efficient ways to respond to that mandate—whether through preaching behind a pulpit or through electronic means such as television, radio, or the Internet. One ordinary man, Arthur Blessit, took Jesus’ instruction at face value and decided to “take up his cross” (Matt. 16:24) and carry the good news of Christ Jesus to the entire world; literally, he carried a 12-feet cross to every single nation around the world. “The Cross” chronicles Arthur’s forty-year journey, a quest of sorts, to see to it that every nation had the opportunity to hear the story of God’s love. Having walked several billion steps over the decades, Arthur’s travels took him along the highways and byways of industrialized nations into the hinterlands of underdeveloped countries. Along the way, he spoke to the rich and poor, was jailed for his beliefs, and shared his faith with thousands of unbelieving people. He introduced Christ to the strongholds of many Muslim nations, areas of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faith traditions—without fear, and in many cases, without barrier or deterrent. He has earned the Guinness World Record for longest walk, but for Blessit, the importance of sharing Christ far outweighs any personal recognition. To hear him, in his own words, tearfully share about his own transformation as he greeted people from around the globe is nothing short of inspirational. Blessit narrates his own travels through war-torn areas in Iraq, Nicaragua, the Sudan, and other areas, himself staring down the barrels of gun-wielding soldiers. He tells the amazing tales of having no fear in the face of such dangers, even to the point of offering Bibles to soldiers who wanted to kill him. “The Cross” is the story of true faith; it is the story of one man’s commitment to his purpose—a man willing to have the courage of his own convictions—and the sovereignty of God. This documentary film is well made and is easily accessible for teenage and adult audiences. It could well become standard training materials for congregations who focus on missions’ work, on the importance of spiritual gifts, or on creating a church full of active participants instead of spectators. Well done! A must see for anyone trying to figure out their own calling and purpose in the kingdom of God. Its message is central to the Christian belief—it’s all about the cross! Violence: Minor / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None Stumped about how to share your faith in Christ with others? Our ChristianAnswers® EffectiveEvangelism site assists Christians in effectively reaching out to others with love and truth. Learn about the worldview of the people you meet, ways to share the gospel, read stories submitted by site users, and more.See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers. Positive - The most fasinating, riveting,and compelling documentary that I have ever witnessed! This film is a must see for anyone; and definitely for any follwer of Jesus. It challenged me to renew my commitment to the call of Jesus Christ on my life. I am convinced that christians around the world will also be challenged by this epic film! Positive - I have never heard of Arthur Blessitt, so I went to this movie unaware of his background. Beginning on the “Strip” in the 60's, we see a young pastor reaching out to those in the street with the message of the Love of Jesus. Positive - This is a must see movie (I saw it twice), Arthur Blessitt exhibits a wonderful sweet, peaceful, and humble spirit towards God. His spirit of service, and faith really inspired me as a Christian, and I think it also demonstrates to non-Christians what Christianity is about. I was truly moved when I saw this film, and recommend it highly. Positive - Our bible study group just finished the book of Philippians and how Paul chose joy in all of the adverse circumstances he faced in spreading the gospel. He also determined in his heart where his source of strength was and what his ultimate goal was. Positive - My husband and I have been waiting for this movie to come to a theater near us, and we were finally able to see it. We had to drive an hour and a half, but it was well worth it! (That was the closest theater that was showing the movie) This is a genuine and authentic story about a very courageous man that followed God's will for his life by going all across the globe to share the good news of Jesus Christ, never letting anything deter him from his mission, not even when he stared death in the face. |