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Are You Just Watching?Critical thinking for the entertained Christian Author: Eve Franklin
Are You Just Watching? is about critical thinking for Christians as they watch popular media such as movies and TV shows. We are more than a Christian reviews site since PluggedIn Online already does such a wonderful job. We take a critical look at philosophies and ideas behind and promoted by entertainment media, and then discuss these based on a biblical worldview. For example, the evolutionism in Jurassic Park, the user-program relationship in Tron, or the messianic characteristics of Neo in the Matrix trilogy. Each conversation has one end-objective in mind, that you don't just watch, but also think and learn. Language: en Genres: Christianity, Film Reviews, Religion & Spirituality, TV & Film Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Sarah's Oil - AYJW167
Thursday, 27 November, 2025
This Christian review of Sarah’s Oil explores historical accuracy, faith, justice, and discernment, helping viewers watch with wisdom and a biblical worldview. Are You Just Watching? Episode 167: Sarah's OilFor the full show notes please visit areyoujustwatching.com/167Share your feedback!We would like to know, even if just your reactions to the trailer or the topics we shared in this episode. Or what general critical-thinking and entertainment thoughts or questions do you have? Would you like to suggest a movie or TV show for us to give a Christian movie review with critical thinking?Comment on the show notesCall (513) 818-2959 to leave a voicemailEmail feedback@AreYouJustWatching.com (audio files welcome)Join our Facebook discussion group.Join our Discord server.Sarah’s Oil turned out to be a surprisingly rich movie to review—both as a historical drama and as a story that pushes Christians to think more deeply about character, truth, and perseverance. Eve and I found ourselves returning to themes familiar to longtime AYJW listeners: the intersection of faith and movie, the tension between real history and storytelling, and the challenge of Christian discernment in a culture shaped by entertainment. Like movies we’ve discussed in past episodes such as Harriet and Hidden Figures, this movie uses a real-life figure—in this case, Sarah Rector—to explore issues of justice, hope, and integrity. So as we unpack this movie, we’re not just revisiting old territory; we’re pressing into what it means to watch with purpose in a world where “inspired by a true story” rarely means the whole story.Takeaways:The podcast delves into the challenges of distinguishing fact from fiction in films based on historical figures, raising questions about trustworthiness. The hosts express their initial skepticism regarding the movie, 'Sarah's Oil', which diverged from their usual cinematic preferences and expectations. A significant discussion centers on the portrayal of Christian themes in the film, highlighting the complexities of cultural representation versus genuine faith. The episode emphasizes the importance of critical thinking about historical narratives, especially in movies that blend entertainment with educational content.
