My husband and I rented "Fireproof" from Netflix a couple of week's ago. We were probably the last Christian couple to watch it. I was very hesitant to watch this movie. I thought it would be your typical cheesy Christian movie with experimental theology. I didn't want my conscience to be violated!
After hearing from many friends, I decided to bite the bullet and actually watch the movie. I remember on Friday night, my husband was thrilled to open the Netflix envelope to only discover “Fireproof.” I remember hearing him say, “What!? I don’t want to watch this crap.” I was laughing hard, but said, “Seriously, I want to watch this.” I even remember jokingly say, “Maybe we can save our marriage!” [insert southern accent] Trust me, we are fine, but like any couple you need to refresh your marriage responsibilities once in a while. Now, are you ready to hear my earthy thoughts on the movie?
I thought it started off very cheesy and I was very worried that my husband would never let me choose a movie on Friday nights ever again…thanks Kirk Cameron! It started off with the disrespectful angry couple. I felt bad for the wife, Catherin, yet blamed her on being a sucky wife that was bad at acting. Then again, her husband Caleb (Kirk Cameron) was a jerk who expected the woman to bow down to her and play as his puppet. They both sucked on the whole “teamwork” thing that a marriage requires and showed very little respect towards each other. The fighting scenes were hilarious. I didn’t feel that well connected to the couple, but I did notice right off the bat they hated each other. I think I was the only one who thought their fighting scenes weren’t realistic at all. I am not saying curse words are always necessary, but their situation almost was screaming for a few curse words here and there. When someone pushes my buttons and I loose my temper, you bet I will speak out of anger and a few curse words would fly out of my mouth. It’s only human.
As the movie reached to Caleb wanting some manly advice from his Dad, I then started to see a man who wanted his marriage to work, but not really. When his father gave him a 40 day “trial” I started to mock it this "trial". I remember saying, “Why is there always a stupid 20, 30, or 40 day trial for a Christian film…this is stupid.” I was quick to judge, but it slowly vanished as the content of the 40 day “trial” was revealed. I found the process slow and easy. I enjoyed how the “trial” was revealing Christ through-out the entire process. Of course, Caleb didn’t notice it and treated it like a chore. “Cool, I got 1 day out of the way….let me go grab a beer now!” While he still didn’t receive respect from his wife, he felt very useless and just wanted to give up. His Dad came to the rescue to listen to his son’s frustrations to hopefully relate to him through example. As Caleb was explaining how his wife still continues to disrespect him, mock him, and spit in his face, he then questions, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?” You then see where his Dad ties the "trial" to Jesus Christ. His Dad then says, “that’s a good question.”
Son, you just asked me: how can someone show love over and over again when they're constantly rejected? Caleb, the answer is: you can't love her, because you can't give her what you don't have. I couldn't truly love your mother until I understood what love truly was. It's not because I get some reward out of it. I've now made a decision to love your mother whether she deserves it or not. Son, God loves you, even though you don't deserve it. Even though you've rejected Him. Spat in His face. God sent Jesus to die on t he cross for your sin, because He loves you. The cross was offensive to me, until I came to it. But when I did, Jesus Christ changed my life. That's when I truly began to love your mom. Son, I can't settle this for you. This is between you and the Lord. But I love you too much not to tell you the truth. Can't you see that you need Him? Can't you see that you need His forgiveness.After this scene, I was full of tears. Yes, I hear this message over and over again each Sunday, but it sunk in as I was witnessing a couple on the edge of divorce who didn't have Christ in their lives. Their marriage almost did seem pointless. I noticed Caleb’s character go from arrogant to humble. I loved Caleb's speech to his wife who was laying in bed sick:
I am sorry. I have been so selfish. For the past seven years, I have trampled on you with my words and with my actions. I have loved other things, when I should have loved you. In the last few weeks, God has given me a love for you that I have never had before. And I have asked Him to forgive me. And I am hoping, I am praying, that somehow you would be able to forgive me too. Catherine, I do not want to live the rest of my life without you.Obviously the wife later forgives him as he showed more commitment to the marriage then before and she wanted to commit as well. I am not big on couples who renew their vows, but due to this couple treating their marriage like a contract as un-believing Christians, I think renewing their vows as a covenant was very necessary and a sweet ending.
I do own it on DVD now, and plan on watching it from time to time. I will even suggest to couples who are seeking marriage or couples who are struggling in their marriage. My husband was even impressed with the theology...that's a HUGE compliment! It only proves you can never judge a book by its cover.
