REACHER Star Alan Ritchson Urges Fans to Live Out ‘Ethics of Christ’
By Movieguide® Contributor
REACHER star Alan Ritchson is currently filming in Vancouver and took a moment to remind his fans to live out the “ethics of Christ.”
“I’m surrounded by the most beautiful landscape you can imagine—snowcap mountains that, even on a 60° day like this, are covered in powdery snow. People snowboarding and skiing. There’s a sign before you get on the gondola. It says on a clear day you can see 50 miles from the top of this mountain,” Ritchson said.
The actor then related that to scripture and the importance of the Gospel.
“I think there’s a reason why, in scripture, God’s earthly throne is associated with mountains,” he explained. “Moses meets him on Sinai. Mount Zion is talked about as a place where heaven has come to meet earth in this realm, and we were called to a relationship with a God who has that kind of constant clarity. The kind of clear vision that sees more than 50 miles out into our time and space.”
“So, what is the gondola? What does the lift look like to get us from the perspective that we have in our lives to God’s heavenly throne? I believe it’s through the ethic of Christ,” Ritchson continued.
“What are the ethics of Christ? These are ethics of humility, of self-sacrifice, giving up our desire for earthly prestige and power to serve others,” he said. “I think when we do that, we suddenly find ourselves being lifted to that place of heaven on Earth, and that’s the invitation that we have. So, I invite you to explore what it is that Christ calls us to.”
While the actor is best known for his role in REACHER, he’s also passionate about more faith-focused stories. He recently appeared in ORDINARY ANGELS alongside Hilary Swank.
“I mean, look, I’m gonna be completely honest. I did not—when I read this script for the first time, I didn’t say to myself, like this is a great faith-based movie. This was just a compelling, heartbreaking true story that had a hopeful and inspiring message, you know?” he told Movieguide®.
He explained that the movie deals with doubt, something that “makes it a true, honest faith-based film.”
“I just want to say if you have doubt, which I’m sure if this is a large community, there are many people who have doubt about whether God exists or whether he’s present in our lives or working… for our good, and that’s not a problem,” Ritchson said. “That’s where faith begins. That’s where true faith and relationship begin, and I think God welcomes those kinds of battles.”
He believes God can use roles that aren’t necessarily faith-centered to share the Gospel as well. Movieguide® previously reported:
“A lot of people, supposed Christians especially, criticize me for playing Reacher as if the only TV that should exist is seeing people silently folding their hands in the pew of a church. I mean, what kinds of stories are we supposed to tell?” he continued. “If we look at scripture, what do you find? You see a thousand years of an infinitely holy God holding tension with human beings as He tells the story of who He is.”
“[God] reveals who He is through an imperfect people, so we get stories of paganism and war and bloodshed and ghost stories, mysticism,” he explained. “We see miracles and magic; we see life and resurrection and death; and we see this incredible canvas where God is completely unafraid to tell the story of who He is through less than morally ambiguous characters: through pure evil sometimes.”
“I think it’s laughable when people criticize me for playing characters that are not saintly, you know. That’s not my job, and I don’t think God cares about only telling those kinds of stories,” Ritchson added.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
