A new documentary from American Family Studios, releasing today, is designed to equip the Church to answer controversial questions about gender and sexuality from a biblical perspective.
A Change.org asking for the beloved "Peanuts" special to remain on network television has taken off like Snoopy dueling the Red Baron.
"Every church in America is filled with hurting people asking tough questions like: Can you be gay and be a Christian? What if someone genuinely fills trapped in the wrong body – did God make me this way and is change even possible?" explains Austin Brooks of American Family Studios (AFS).
"This feature-length documentary – 'In His Image' – presents much needed truth with compassion and clarity through powerful personal testimonies, careful Bible teaching, and scientific evidence."
Leading up to the release of "In His Image," more than 130,000 people have watched the 20-minute "sneak peek" of the documentary. As of today, the full-length version is available for free at InHisImage.movie.
AFS began working on "In His Image" about two years ago.
"One of the reasons that we wanted to make this resource is because the Church has been very silent on these issues," says Brooks. "We can't just ignore these issues. We can't sweep them under the rug. Now is the time that Christians need to speak up on these issues and join other believers."
While there is a disclaimer on the film, Brooks explains it is geared toward people over the age of 13.
"A teenager could watch it," he shares, "but there are some graphic cultural references and some disturbing images when we're talking about transgender surgery and things like that. But a mature teenager can definitely watch it; and I would say that a mature [pre-teen], under the guidance of a parent, can also be shown the film."
He credits supporters of American Family Association and American Family Radio for providing the resources that were necessary to produce the documentary.
Editor's note: In addition to being available on the website, a two-disc DVD set (with a study booklet) is available as a resource for Sunday school classes and small groups and/or to individuals who donate to the ministry of AFS. The two-disc set includes more than three hours of bonus material – extended interviews, deleted scenes, and answers to some of the commonly asked questions that many Christians have on these issues.
American Family Studios is a division of the American Family Association, the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates OneNewsNow.com.
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