JESUS CALLING: STORIES OF FAITH: Episodes 4.1-4.2

Name: JESUS CALLING: STORIES OF FAITH: Episodes 4.1-4.2
Item: JESUS CALLING: STORIES OF FAITH: Episodes 4.1-4.2
Author: Review

"An Uplifting Series About Faith and Perseverance"

Family Content: +3 Some minor questionable elements. (Media-wisdom is suggested to discuss.)

Entertainment Quality:

	None	Light	Moderate	Heavy
Language
Violence
Sex
Nudity

Credits →

What You Need To Know:

JESUS CALLING: STORIES OF FAITH is an inspirational documentary TV series by UP Faith and Family. In a series of sit-down interviews, several American celebrities reveal how God’s teachings carried them through trying times. In season four, the show delves into the hardships of rejection, growing up poor, and surviving cancer treatment. Will these folks be able to find true inner peace?

In terms of production value, the first two episodes of Season 4 of JESUS CALLING are a pleasant surprise. The series is composed mainly of one-on-one interviews with celebrities, archival footage, and retro photos. The interview segments are well shot and integrate very well with the archival footage. The series is a shining example of excellent television. It radiates the values of persistent prayer, reading the Scripture, and giving thanks to God for His wisdom. While there is no on-screen violence, a football player mentions getting injuries to his body while he played in the NFL. MOVIEGUIDE® advises slight caution for older children and their families.

Content:

(CCC, BBB, V, M):

Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements:

A strong Christian worldview where American celebrities discuss how God encouraged them to change their lives for the better, a music composer and an actress describe how they persevered in their industry despite getting rejected dozens of times, two female celebrities discuss finding a renewed purpose in life after reaching the apex of their careers, a football player thanks his wife and his daughters for helping him through his cancer treatment, the celebrities admit to praying to God and citing the Apostle Paul for inspiration, and an actress writes a children’s book that promotes friendship;

Foul Language:

No language;

Violence:

No on-screen violence, but a football player mentions that he was physically smacked by a school teacher for disobeying the rules, the NFL player admits to getting spinal and other sports-related injuries in his youth, and he states he got throat surgery for a skin cancer;

Sex:

No sex;

Nudity:

No nudity;

Alcohol Use:

The hero drinks a bottle of vodka in his cabin and his implied to be a heavy drinker off-screen;

Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse:

No smoking or drug use; and,

Miscellaneous Immorality:

The football player admits to being married and divorced three times in the past (but he gives thanks his current wife and three daughters).

More Detail:

Hosted by Faith Broussard Cade, JESUS CALLING shines a light on prominent figures in the entertainment industry. In each episode, two celebrities discuss their spiritual transformation from personal heartbreak to applying God’s wisdom to their lives. In episode one of season four, the focus is on Julie Chen Moonves (co-host of the reality show Big Brother) and John Tesh (radio host and music composer for NBC). In episode two, the showrunners speak with Terry Bradshaw (a famous NFL quarterback) and Taraji P. Henson (an award-winning movie actress).

In terms of production value, JESUS CALLING is a pleasant surprise. The series is composed mainly of one-on-one interviews with celebrities, archival footage, and retro photos. The presentation is simple, but it is effective at delivering a smooth 22-minute story. Each episode has excellent sound mixing and great video editing. The interview segments are well shot and integrate very well with the archival footage. But what about the content of the show itself?

Without a doubt, JESUS CALLING is built on a Christian worldview. The interviewees admit to giving thanks to God, learning to pray consistently, and reading the Bible. Josh Tesh openly quotes the books of the Apostle Paul, including the importance of “renewing one’s mind.” In Julie Chen Moonves’ testimony, she is a caring mother to her son while being a recurring TV network host. Taraji P. Henson thanks God for giving her persistence in taking acting despite being rejected dozens of times for roles. Lastly, NFL player Terry Bradshaw thanks his wife and God for comforting him while he underwent his cancer treatment.

While JESUS CALLING is devoid of foul language and sex, it mentions violent injuries in dialogue. First, the NFL player tells a story of him getting physically smacked by a schoolteacher in his youth after disobeying an order. During his days as a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he mentions getting injuries related to his spine and shoulders. Lastly, he briefly states that he has been married and divorced three times. However, he thanks the courage of his current wife and three daughters for helping him with his cancer treatment.

Lastly, JESUS CALLING does a remarkable job exploring the celebrities’ struggles without being preachy or salacious. The celebrities offer genuine testimonies of how they let God transform their lives for the better. They admit to being humbled by God, despite their immense financial success in life. The showrunners amplify these positive teachings that apply to everyday life. JESUS CALLING is not strictly made for children, but it is a valuable teaching tool for all ages.

The fourth season of JESUS CALLING: STORIES OF FAITH is a shining example of excellent television. It radiates the values of persistent prayer, reading the Scripture, and giving thanks to God for His Wisdom. Moreover, the show features excellent sound mixing and editing. While there is no on-screen violence, a football player mentions getting injuries to his body while he played in the NFL. MOVIEGUIDE® advises slight caution for older children and their families.