I like Chris Pratt; I enjoyed him in The Magnificient Seven. He has been terrific playing Star-Lord. I did not watch Parks and Recreation regularly (mainly when my kids watched it on Hulu), but his character was my favorite.
In Jurassic World, meh, which isn’t his fault, I just wasn’t a big fan of the movie.
He is a bright, young star in Hollywood who is also a Christian. Not only that, he is a Christian who will share his faith even in the most public of settings, like the MTV Movie Awards on Monday evening where he was given the Generation Award.
I avoid awards shows like the plague, but I saw the video of his speech circulating on Twitter yesterday where he shared his “nine rules for life.” In the midst of sophomoric humor, he shared some truths:
- “You have a soul.”
- “If you’re strong be a protector. If you’re smart, be a humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons, and do not wield them against weak.”
- “God is real, God loves you, and God wants the best for you.”
- “Learn to pray.”
He then dispels a lie that young people are often told and points to the solution:
Nobody is perfect. People are going to tell you that you’re perfect just the way you are. You’re not! You are imperfect. You always will be. But there is a powerful force that designed you that way. And if you’re willing to accept that, then you will have grace. And grace is a gift. And like the freedom we enjoy in this country, that grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood. Do not forget it. Don’t take it for granted.
As someone who has shared the Gospel on many, many occasions, I can’t say that this is the way I would explain it. Theologically, I have some minor issues with what he said as well – like our being designed to be imperfect. No, God did not design us to be imperfect, but because of the fall, we are born imperfect.
There was also no mention of repentance and he did not say who that “somebody else” is. I wouldn’t assume that a secular audience would know he is referring to Jesus.
That said, it was a four-minute speech at the MTV Movie Awards. It was classic Chris Pratt, and he pointed to people’s need for a Savior. His message was a refreshing one to hear in Hollywood for a change.