Many Christians across the country are raving about the film, “The Forge!” Directed by Alex Kendrick, the Christian film stars Aspen Kennedy, Priscilla Shirer, Cameron Arnett, and Karen Abercrombie and is a spinoff from the 2015 flick “War Room.”
Some weeks ago, I went to go see and review “The Forge,” which has resonated with audiences for its powerful narrative, deeply rooted in themes of faith, redemption, and the transformative power of God’s grace. It’s also a powerful message of the importance of discipleship in the lives of believers, especially new Christians who are figuring out their walks with God.
[ Scroll to the end of the post for TL; DR ]
The film centers around the story of young Isaiah (played by Kennedy), who is a year out of high school and doesn’t have a real game plan. His mom (Shirer) is pretty fed up, but commits to praying for her son with a small group, led by the mighty Miss Clara (Abercrombie) from “War Room!” After searching for a job, Isaiah is able to connect with a Christian business owner (Arnett), and his life slowly but surely begins to transform in a powerful way.
Watch the trailer below and read more of my review below!
There are a few themes of the movie that stand out.
The Refinement Process of Christians
The characters in the movie undergo various trials and tribulations that test their faith and character. Particularly Isaiah, who is struggling with shedding his old self as he comes into contact with other men who challenge him to seek the Lord and do better in his daily life. He quickly sees that his obstacles, though huge (especially internally), are also opportunities for growth and refinement, especially as he begins to seek a real relationship with Jesus.
In the Bible, the concept of being refined like silver or gold is used to describe the way God purifies His people (Malachi 3:3, 1 Peter 1:7). This theme serves as a reminder that our trials are not meant to destroy us but to refine us and draw us closer to God.
Redemption and Forgiveness from God
Redemption is at the heart of the Christian message, and “The Forge” weaves this theme throughout its message. The film’s characters have strayed away from their faith or made huge mistakes, only to find their way back to God through grace. The film showcases the important fact that NO ONE is beyond God’s redemption, which I’m grateful for. Even if people down here don’t forgive or love us, we aren’t too messy for God to still pick up.
Finding God’s Purpose for Your Life
Another significant them in “The Forge” is the search for a bigger purpose for life, which is something that many people struggle with. Without giving too much away, Isaiah and other characters wrestle with questions about their calling and the direction of their lives. This movie reminds us that purpose is not about achieving the world’s idea of success, but truly surrendering and aligning ourselves with God’s will for our lives. That’s where true fulfillment comes from. It’s a reminder that, like Jeremiah 29:11 says, God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.
There’s Power in Community
In life in general, but particularly with the Christian faith, we are STRONGER TOGETHER. “The Forge” emphasizes the importance of having Christian community. The movie’s characters ultimately find strength, support, and accountability in their relationships with fellow believers. The church is not just as a place of worship, but a place where believers are shaped, encouraged, and equipped to live out their faith. We are called in Hebrews 10:24-25 to not neglect fellowship as believers and to encourage one another. There is an incredible beauty in supporting each other in our faith walks!
These themes of “The Forge” truly stand out for Christians and it’s a film that will continue to resonate with believers from all over. If you do check it out, I promise it will encourage you in your own faith journey, and remind you of how God has worked in your life! And it’s a powerful reminder for all of us to be true disciples of Christ as we travel along life’s way. For God’s glory and not our own!
TL; DR:
- The film is about a young man who slowly comes to find God through Christian fellowship
- The film’s themes highlight the refining process for Christians, redemption and forgiveness from God, finding God’s purpose for your life, and the importance of building a Christian community.
Imperfectly B 