October 11, 2006

Here and now in world history- when Christians and Jews must exercise courage to stand against anti-Semitism and the rise of radical Islam - a film called "One Night With the King" is a timely one. Based on the biblical Book of Esther, the film unfolds Queen Esther's story of courage which resulted in saving her Jewish people from extinction during the Jewish exile under Persia. Michael Medved, nationally syndicated commentator, film critic and religious Jew, made my day today when I listened to his interview with the film's producer, Matt Crouch. Medved concluded, " 'One Night With the King' is a love letter to the Jewish community from American conservative Christians." Medved goes on to encourage Jewish people to overcome their past fears about Christians and go to the film saying, "It's the most pro-Jewish movie I've seen in many years."

As an evangelical Christian, I want to be part of promoting the growing positive relationships between Jews and the Christian community. Our message as evangelicals is sincere and hopefully, the Jewish people will receive our encouragement since Israel needs friends now more than ever. Our alliances are crucial now with the rise of radical Islam. Since Christianity is a direct descendant of Judaism, the radical Islamists hate all of us. They consider Christians and Jews "infidels" and both peoples are in the cross hairs of Islamic terrorists.

How appropriate and interesting that the film comes at "such a time as this." Queen Esther won the favor of Persian King Xerxes. And is Persia still a nation today? It's now called Iran. The evil character in the book of Esther is his second in command, Haman, who wants to obliterate the Jewish people from the 120 provinces ruled by Persia at the time. Does this sound familiar? Ahmadinejad is Persia/Iran's modern day Haman, never relenting in his outspoken goal to "wipe Israel off the world's map."

I hope all Christians and all Jews will attend "One Night With the King." I plan to be there on opening night, Friday, October 13. May the film inspire us all to exercise courage wherever we can. We are going to need it in the months ahead as the world grows more dangerous.

Here's the link if you want to see the Medved interview: www.8x.com/onenight/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YAHOO

Movie About Biblical Queen Esther Has its Release Date for Such a Time As This

The new film, "One Night With the King" may be the recipient of perfect timing for its release date.

(PRWEB via PRWeb) October 13, 2006 -- Those who have had any experience in making a film know that finding a good release date for a movie can be one of the trickiest aspects of movie making. Success in film depends on several key elements, among which are a good story, a good, well-know cast, quality filming (cinematography, sound, sets, lighting, direction etc...), advertising, and, it always helps if you have the magic of good timing. The latter can be one of the toughest aspects of film making to achieve.

How does a producer know if the project that was begun one or two years ago will be truly successful upon its release date? Sometimes people are just ripe for the film. Fortunately, the new film, One Night With the King, which has its release date on October 13, 2006, seems to be a recipient of perfect timing. About two weeks ago, the President of Iran boldly proclaimed to the United Nations and the world, how that the Holocaust never happened and that the Jews should be driven into the sea. The story of Esther, found in the Old Testament book by the same name, deals with a time in history 2500 years ago when the seal of the king of Persia (what is present day Iran) was going to be used to annihilate the Jewish people. A Hitler-like character named Haman had gotten the King's permission to do away with the Jewish people. The only person who could possibly stop the plot was the King's new queen, Esther, who unbeknownst to the king, was herself Jewish.

The new film by Gener8xion Entertainment that is being released in conjunction with Fox Faith called One Night With the King accurately tells the rags to riches story of this young Jewish girl named Esther who was an orphan who became a queen only to risk her life to save her people. The movie shows how God can use one person to change the world. Esther was able to single handedly stop what could have been the first Holocaust, and, what's worse the complete destruction of the Jewish race because Persia owned the known world at that time.

Jewish film critic, Michael Medved has called it a "love letter" to the Jewish people from the Christians of America. For Jews, this film will bring alive what is celebrated in Purim every year. For Christians, this film will be a reminder of how God is always present in the affairs of man, and will use whoever is willing to make a difference. For everyone else, it is a reminder that we are all born for a purpose, and while not all of us can change the world, perhaps we can at least change it for one person.