The latest movie from the Kendrick Brothers releases later this week. It’s called “The Forge” and tells the story of a young man, Isaiah, who is struggling to make his way in the world after high school. Isaiah is being raised by his single mother, Cynthia, who pushes him to get a job. In his half-hearted attempts to find one, Isaiah meets a God-fearing businessman, Joshua Moore, and over the course of the story, begins to learn what it means to be a responsible, mature man of principle.
Although the movie’s plot is straight-forward, the unspoken challenges and nuanced complexities for young people in our modern age are all there in “The Forge:” the allure of video games, the bad influences of old high school friends, the frustrations of trying to find a job (or start a career) when you’re not exactly sure what you want to do with your life. These pressures faced by our youth today, as well as the world’s continuous belittlement of Judeo-Christian values and the erosion of what used to be called a “work ethic,” will resonate with parents of children transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.
Alex, Stephen and Shannon make up the Kendrick Brothers and they are, perhaps, the most prolific Christian filmmakers working in the U.S. today. Having made “Facing the Giants” on a shoestring budget and with the help of their church in 2006, they’ve since produced such well-known faith-based motion pictures as “Fireproof,” “Courageous,” “War Room,” and “Overcomer,” amongst others. (Their documentary feature, “Show Me the Father,” is one of my favorites and, in my opinion, their most under-appreciated film.) The financial success of their pictures has afforded the Kendrick Brothers larger budgets and more extensive reach, but their mission remains the same: to honor Jesus Christ and make His truth and love known amongst all nations. “The Forge,” which was shot in their hometown of Albany, Georgia, and is being distributed by Affirm Films, is one of their best.
Aspen Kennedy plays the lead character, Isaiah, and it's his movie. His performance is both believable and heart-wrenching, particularly when he vocalizes his frustration with the absence of his father. We feel his pain and sympathize with his disadvantages. Cameron Arnett and Priscilla Shirer deliver stellar performances as Isaiah’s mentor and mother, respectively. But it’s Karen Abercrombie’s unexpected appearance as Miss Clara, reprising her role as the fiery and charismatic prayer warrior from the movie “War Room,” who really steals the show. Her character’s impassioned wise counsel to Cynthia and Isaiah is both stirring and inspirational. We all need a Miss Clara in our lives!
The movie’s tagline is: “Whoever wants the next generation the most will get them.” As the father of four adult children now making their way in the world, and with a teen still yet to leave the nest, the “whoever” in that sentence causes me grave concern. Whoever, indeed. (I wish "The Forge" had come out when my eldest children were still at home.)
For centuries, children of every generation have been under siege by the evils of our fallen world. But it seems like the enemy is taking more spiritual territory today than in previous generations because of the technology at this generation’s fingertips. The internet, smart-phones, and social media are all, by themselves, not inherently “evil.” But their negative influence and capacity to distract us from what really matters can not be denied. It seems that self-discipline, when it comes to these technologies, is in shorter and shorter supply. (This is true for all age groups, not just the under 20 crowd.)
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of
childhood behind me.
1 Corinthians 13: 11 (NIV)
Like my grandparents and parents before me, I worry about the youth of today and the coming generations. Secular values seem to be replacing faith-based values more and more as our society continues to give in to the pressures of “woke-ism” and political correctness. The importance of family and strong fathers has been kicked to the curb. God seems to be less and less central to each generation as they assume the mantle of leadership for our culture.
Thank goodness for men like Joshua Moore, depicted by Cameron Arnett in "The Forge." His willingness to make the effort to get to know a young man in need of a mentor, to come alongside Isaiah at a critical stage in his life, is a praiseworthy model for the rest of us. We need more men and women like Joshua, people of faithful character who are willing to disciple the younger generation, especially those with absent fathers or mothers.
Unlike the numerous Super-Hero franchises dominating movie theaters today, “The Forge” isn’t about some nefarious supernatural entity trying to take over our world. (Or is it?) We can’t rely on an imaginary group of narcissistic super-heroes wearing costumes to be our best defense. We should turn to the Word of God, rely on the power of prayer, and be willing, as people of faith, to come alongside and disciple young people in need of positive role-models.
True to their mission, the Kendrick brothers aren’t just about entertainment. They are releasing Bible studies and Discipleship resources at the same time “The Forge” hits theaters. You can find them here: The Forge | Lifeway.
The gulf between generations is always wide and deep. But in America today, it seems wider than ever. If you’re looking for some hope and inspiration involving that gulf, then go see “The Forge,” a well-made faith-based film about the importance of the older generation speaking into the younger. (Both generations win when that happens.) “The Forge” will not only leave you feeling like that gulf can be bridged, it will also give you some excellent resources for how to be a lighthouse to this generation of young adults who are sailing in the dark of night over tumultuous seas.
For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but victory is won through many advisers.
Proverbs 11:14
References & Resources:
I found this movie a little boring. Certainly not as exciting or interesting as pas Kendricks brothers movies.
Thank you for your commentary on The Forge. We saw it in the theater today! Reading your blog post on the movie, watching the trailer, and having its theme (“Whoever wants the next generation the most will get them.”) already in our minds really added to its impact on us. So important...John 13:34-35. Thank you!
Thanks for this great write-up, Tim. Looking forward to seeing it!