How to Share Your Faith Using Indiana Jones

By Jane Dratz, Christian Post Guest Columnist Friday, May 23, 2008

It's been 19 years since a swashbuckling Indiana Jones smashed through the box office and entertained big screen viewers with his mix of intelligence, sarcasm and action-packed adventure. Though many of today's teens have never seen the series of Indy adventures their parents came of age watching, Jones' return in "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" has the potential to change all that.

Part action, part history, part geopolitics, part archeology, The Crystal Skull once again finds Dr. Jones hot on the trail of evildoers, this time facing down those who might unleash a nuclear Armageddon upon the world. From the man who "protected the Power of the Divine" and "triumphed over the armies of evil" in Raiders of the Lost Ark, we once again find Indy battling to ensure that a mysterious, potentially 'supernatural' object is kept out of the hands of those who would use it to destroy humanity as we know it.

Keeping the forces of evil at bay is not a new role for the hero figure in action films. Have you ever wondered why so many movies' action lines focus on the battle between good and evil? Perhaps it's because this overarching theme is one that dates back to the beginning of human existence…quite literally back to the Garden of Eden, where the forces of evil initiated the contest that ultimately drew Adam and Eve out of relationship with God and pushed them into a fallen, sinful world filled with pain, suffering, wars and famines.

But this is not just a spiritual battle that was waged back in the Garden of Eden, to be followed by a truce on all sides. No, this spiritual battle is ongoing and it is personal. Here's how the Bible puts it in Ephesians 6:12-13:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand.

Sounds a lot like someone is out to destroy humanity! But it's also clear from these verses that God has given us the armor we need to enter the fight.

So enter the fray and engage with your friends about the spiritual realities of the world in which we live. Try using Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull as an opportunity to introduce God-talk into your conversation with your friends. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Ask your friends if they think there are spiritual forces of good and evil at work in the world.

• Do they think there is a cosmic battle being waged? Listen, then share what you believe about this battle.

• Indiana Jones is striving to save humanity from destruction – this hero role in stories and films is sometimes known as a 'messianic' role. Ask your friends if they know the story of the real Messiah who came to earth, battled evil and rescued a planet from spiritual destruction. For help explaining this, check out the GOSPEL Journey.

Adventure, action, supernatural powers…this is all the stuff of living on the edge for God's glory. In God's power and armed with His weapons, step into the battle for the souls of your friends and 'fight the good fight'.

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Jane Dratz works for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to jane@dare2share.org.