“The Hope” Evangelism Video
June 5, 2009 – 4:53 pmI recently viewed an evangelistic video called The Hope. Here’s an explanation of the video as well as a few thoughts:
From About Us page:
Created in co-operation with motion picture producers and distributors around the world, The HOPE is an 80 minute dramatic presentation of God’s epic story of redemption as revealed in the Bible. The global impact of The HOPE may be viewed in two ways:
Translations and Adaptations
Since the release of The HOPE, various mission organizations around the world have partnered to create numerous translations and cultural adaptations of The HOPE. New translation and adaptation projects are beginning regularly. If you would like to learn more about the status of completed projects, current projects, or how to start a new project, please visit www.thehopewebsite.com.
The Internet
The worldwide Internet ministry of The HOPE is an extremely effective way to share God’s redemptive story in today’s world. People around the world are discovering how to have a personal relationship with God through this ministry. The HOPE video stream and the follow-up that is available on this site are being provided free of charge by Mars Hill Productions (producer of The HOPE) and NeedHim (the follow up ministry for inquiries about Knowing God).
The difficulty with media resources like “the Hope” is that it is difficult to boil down the core message or storyline of the Bible into a 60-80 minute video. This one seems to do a good job of hitting the key elements of God’s holiness and power, man’s utter rebellion, the need for a Redeemer, and salvation through faith by grace.
While there are minor elements that I would disagree with (e.g. Eve being alone during her temptation; Gen 3:6 says that Adam was with Eve), on the whole it seems like a solid presentation of the gist of the Bible’s message.
If you plan on showing this to an unchurched, unregenerate person you would do well to take it one chapter per viewing and “fill in the gaps” so that they will have an accurate understanding of the theology behind these narratives.
An advantage that The Hope has on other videos of this genre is that it is available entirely online. You can send the link to a friend and follow up with questions and comments via email, blog, Facebook, phone, etc. You can also embed an attractive “The Hope” banner on your website/blog which will redirect to the video’s home page.
