In a movie industry driven by corruption, immorality and violence, faith-based films continue to shine their light, but what light are they shining? Biblical epics, such as "Noah," "Exodus: Gods And Kings" and "The Passion Of The Christ" overwhelm and satisfy both the secular and Christian crowd. However, book-based films such as "Heaven Is For Real" and spiritual growth films such as "Facing The Giants," "Fireproof" and "War Room," despite their level of success at the box office, only seem to spread the message of faith to already existing members of the faith rather than to the unbelieving community. Indeed, there are people against the faith who change their mind after these movies, but I'm speaking in a generalized concept of how these films are viewed: proselytizing. Those familiar with the word understand the negative connotation that is associated with it.

For example, last month, the film industry gave us "Miracles From Heaven," which according to Rotten Tomatoes made "the most out of an outstanding performance from Jennifer Garner, but it [wasn't] quite enough to keep this faith-based drama from preaching to the choir." It received a 47% rating from critics on the Tomatometer and an 88% from audiences, audiences who were already "believers," for lack of a better word. One month later, the public was subject to "God's Not Dead 2," and according to Rotten Tomatoes, the critic consensus was "every bit the proselytizing lecture promised by its title, [it] preaches ham-fistedly to its paranoid conservative choir." The film received a drastically low 11% rating from critics and a surprisingly high 62% rating from audience members. Two faith-based films with vastly different messages were both were deemed not only proselytizing but "preaching to the choir." What light are these movies revealing about the Christian faith to the growing community of people opposed to Christianity?

What message are they trying to communicate to thousands and millions of people? Is the message prosperity, to all the Joel Osteen followers, or is it "turn or burn?" Regardless of the message, what is the point if it is solely being communicated to the same group over and over, just through the vessel of a different movie with a different character in a different story? The Christian audience is reinforced in their faith, but unfortunately, the film harms the secular world's understanding of Christianity. Proselyting versus evangelizing—can there be common ground?