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JESUS CALLING: STORIES OF FAITH: Episodes 4.1-4.2

“An Uplifting Series About Faith and Perseverance”

Family Content: +2 Moderately questionable elements.

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 streaming on UPtv’s Faith & Family outlet. MOVIEGUIDE® recently watched the first two episodes of its fourth season. Host Faith Broussard Cade interviews retired football great and NFL commentator Terry Bradshaw, composer John Tesh, CBS-TV host of BIG BROTHER Julie Chen Moonves, and actress Taraji P. Henson. They discuss how God’s teachings carried them through some trying times. 

JESUS CALLING:  STORIES OF FAITH is inspired by a book by Sarah Young. Episodes 401 and 402 are a shining example of excellent television. They feature inspiring discussions about facing rejection, growing up poor and surviving cancer treatment. They also discuss the importance of persistent prayer, reading Scripture and giving thanks to God for His Wisdom. The celebrities offer genuine testimonies of how they let God transform their lives for the better. Terry Bradshaw mentions having alcohol problems in the past and getting injuries to his body during his storied career in the NFL. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children and their families for the first two episodes of Season Four of JESUS CALLING. 

Content:

CCC, BBB, V, A, M): 

Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements:

  Very strong Christian worldview with very strong biblical, moral values in two episodes where four 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 famous retires football player thanks his wife and his daughters for helping him through his recent cancer treatment, the celebrities admit to praying to God and citing the Apostle Paul for inspiration, and an actress writes a children’s book promoting friendship;

Foul Language:

  No foul language;

Violence:

  No on-screen violence, but a football player mentions he was physically smacked by a school teacher for disobeying the rules, the retired football 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:

  Terry Bradshaw mentions he had alcohol problems in the past (he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 1999, which had led to anger issues, alcohol abuse and insomnia);

Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse:

  No smoking or drugs;

Miscellaneous Immorality:

  The football player admits to being married and divorced three times in the past (he was diagnosed with depression in 1999, which led to alcohol abuse, after suffering a breakdown), but he gives thanks to his current wife and his three daughters. 

 

More Detail:

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 the first two episodes of Season Four, the program delves into the hardships of rejection, growing up poor and surviving cancer treatment. The two programs ask, Will these folks be able to find true inner peace? JESUS CALLING is inspired by the Sarah Young book of the same name. 

 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, Faith speaks with Terry Bradshaw, the retired NFL quarterback who won four Super Bowls in the late 1970s) and actress Taraji P. Henson, star of the TV series EMPIRE and more than 40 movies. 

 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 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. What about the content of the show itself? 

 Without a doubt, JESUS CALLING is built on a titanium-enforced Christian worldview. The interviewees admit to giving thanks to God, learning to pray on a consistent basis, and reading the Bible. Josh Tesh openly quotes the books of the Apostle Paul, including the importance of “renewing one’s mind” in your walk with God. 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 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. 

 Episodes 401 and 402 of JESUS CALLING are devoid of foul language and sex, but there are some frank discussions. For example, Terry Bradshaw tells a story of him getting physically smacked by a school teacher in his youth after disobeying an order. He also mentions that, during his days as a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he suffered injuries related to his spine and shoulders. Lastly, he briefly states that he’s been married and divorced three times and has had alcohol problems in the past (he was diagnosed with depression in 1999, which led to panic attacks, alcohol abuse and insomnia). However, he personally thanks the courage of his current wife and three daughters for helping him with recent cancer treatments for his neck and bladder. 

 JESUS CALLING:  STORIES OF FAITH does a remarkable job exploring 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 financial success in life. The program amplifies these positive teachings that are applicable to everyday life. JESUS CALLING isn’t strictly made for children, but it’s a valuable teaching tool for older children and adults. 

 The first two episodes of the fourth season of JESUS CALLING:  STORIES OF FAITH are a shining example of excellent faith-based television . They radiate the values of persistent prayer, reading Scripture and giving thanks to God for His Wisdom. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children and their families.