Video Librarian - January/February 2012

In this docudrama, filmmaker Gary Wilkinson goes far beyond the modern traditions associated with Saint Patrick - such as parades and wearing green - to explore the real man behind the myths, an effort that's getting renewed attention through an examination of his writings. One of the best-documented leaders of the early Christian church, Patrick is also the subject of a new work by playwright David Kidd, who's among those interviewed here. Kidd says the legends surrounding Patrick (including driving the snakes out of Ireland) hide the truth, obscuring the essential character of the man and his message. Dramatic re-enactments are supplemented with input from scholars and church officials - including Alan Harper, Archbishop and Primate of All Ireland - who recount Patrick's life. We learn that at the age of 16, Patrick was sold into slavery in Ireland; he later escaped, but after converting to Christianity he was inspired to return the gospel in a land full of pagan beliefs, including those of the Druids. One scholar interviewed here says that Patrick's story is ultimately one of a former slave who took a risk, walked a narrow path, and responded to a higher calling - hearing the voice of God and acting on what he heard. Informative and inspirational, this is highly recommended.

Visual Parables, Sept/Oct 2011

This documentary follows the life of Patrick, the saint credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. With scenes from a play interspersed with interviews of historians, this film follows Patrick's life from his birth in Britain and his time as a slave in Ireland. He eventually escaped from slavery and Ireland only to feel God calling him to return to the land where he had been held captive in order to preach the gospel.

The film offers an interesting aspect of Patrick removed from many legends that later were told about him. Through this film Patrick comes across as a truly human leader. Patrick's abilities to use his understanding of pagan spirituality to assist the people with understanding and accepting Christianity was quite unheard of in his time. Patrick's concern for spreading the gospel took precedence over spreading the institution of the church.

This film could provide a starting point for an exploration of Celtic Christianity.

Tim Challies - blogger, author, and book reviewer

Gary Wilkinson is an independent Christian television producer and one who has been hard at work creating quite a list of excellent little church history documentaries. I recently received several of these DVDs and have very much enjoyed them, and perhaps especially the ones that deal with characters who are not quite so well known. I believe he currently has 5 DVDs for sale through Vision Video. I have watched and enjoyed the following:

John Newton - This documentary explores Newton’s life from his turbulent youth to his involvement in the 18th century African slave trade, his dramatic conversion aboard a sinking ship and on through his remarkable ministry as an evangelistic preacher, hymn writer and abolitionist.

Robert Jermain Thomas - A young Welsh missionary name Robert Jermain Thomas left the shores of Britain to minister God’s Word in China and Korea. His martyrdom would be the seed that would grow and contribute to the Korean revivals in 1903 and 1907. Be encouraged by his testimony and the growth of Christianity in Korea.

The Welsh Revivals - The revivals of 1859 and 1904 in Wales stand as powerful examples, marked by a commitment to prayer, bold preaching for repentance within the church, and a community-wide spiritual awakening. During this time, churches were packed, crime rates and other social ills decreased dramatically, and nominalism and dead orthodoxy were replaced by passionate love for Jesus. This documentary traces the origins of the revival, introduces us to its leaders, and follows its lasting impact upon the world.

Patrick - Learn about Patrick’s extraordinary life in this docu-drama, featuring enlightening interviews with noted scholars and captivating reenactments of Patrick’s life.

The other one is Outpouring of the Holy Spirit - A small group of believers earnestly prayed for Revival in England at the beginning of the twentieth century. Little did they know how God would answer that prayer - an answer that would impact the church worldwide. This revival would lead to the birth of Pentecostalism in Britain and awaken people to a new relationship with God.

I always find it difficult to spend $11 or $12 or $15 on a DVD that is just 30 minutes or an hour long. I think DVDs like this are just waiting for a download distribution model that can negate the physical costs and the shipping costs. In the meantime, though, these films are perfect for buying, watching and then either passing around or donating to your church library. Each one contains a powerful testimony of what the Lord has done through a life or at a particular time in history. I’m grateful for Wilkinson’s labor of love and am glad to recommend these documentaries. http://www.challies.com/resources/church-history-dvds