By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
The Kendrick Brothers, Alex and Stephen, have been part of the steady march of producing and improving faith-based films and taking the genre from being often cheesy to inarguably excellent. Their latest offering is called The Forge, and it is currently playing in theatres. By way of background, the Kendrick Brothers made history when they produced Facing the Giants. It was a classic underdog story, a David-and-Goliath-on-the-gridiron that was picked up for distribution by Sony, a surprise hit at the box office, and on a $100,000 budget, made 10 million dollars at the box office. Other movies have included Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, and Overcomer. Each of them deals with a different tough topic, and each victory that emerges is hard fought and satisfying.
The Forge is about a young man being raised by a single mother, and it would not take much to have him be recruited into a gang, end up on drugs, end up in prison, or all of it. He has no vision for the future, no connection to his calling, and sees little need to get a job. All he wants to do is shoot hoop and play video games and is more than annoyed that the people around him want to suggest that he “get a life,” especially if it’s his mom.
The young man’s name is Isaiah, and he is about to encounter what happens when mamas pray and men step up to mentor. He also is going to be challenged to a melting point, hence the appropriate use of the term “forge.” He becomes part of a group of men of faith who have banded together for each other, for the purpose of having brothers-in-“spiritual” arms, for being held accountable on their journey, breaking bread together and even having a bit of fun. Isaiah joins them and is given an actual sword, a symbol of growing into manhood.
There is a term in the English language that is known as anachronism. It can be used positively or negatively, and has to do with being old-fashioned or out of place. For example, if someone alive in the 21st century routinely dressed in clothing from another era and adopted that era’s mannerisms, it could be said that they are anachronistic. But, if we are honest, there is something in all of us that longs for times, beliefs, and behaviors that are rooted in something deeper, sweeter, stronger, nobler, and just better. I truly think that there is something in every man that wants to be a hero — a knight — if you will.
In today’s culture, we are in the midst of continually spinning as a result of fatherlessness. Men have been relegated to being ridiculed, and the power of their role in the lives of their children is mocked at worst and ignored at best. Boys and girls both experience “daddy hunger” which manifests in a number of ways, and honestly, if I weren’t a woman of faith, I would despair. However, we are promised that the hearts of fathers and children will be turned toward each other, and The Forge gives a blueprint as to just how that will happen.
September 6, 2024
