This is a serious documentary about a Christian couple that make the ultimate sacrifice to spread the good news of Christ. It is a powerful story. It is a very real and eye opening journey and response to their call to missionary work. This young couple witness horrible and violent persecution of Christians. They see government attempts to destroy Christianity only to spark its growth. You see how God can change even the most violent people among us to grow His church. It is a movie that can change your life. We,in the land of milk and honey, take so much for granted. We simply have no idea how difficult life is for so many people throughout the world. You will learn to appreciate the life you have been given and the power of faith. I wish all Americans could see this powerful movie!
5 Reviews
A review from a practical point of view.
jared7919 March 2017
Saw this movie last night. WOW! A lot of Christian movies are not very well made unfortunately, but I have to say as a filmmaker myself, this is one of the best Christian movies I have seen to date.
Firstly, the production is top notch. It is filmed, edited and produced expertly. It kept me interested and was never boring. The last Christian movie I say was from a well known Christian band and I was itching for it to be over after 30mins. I could have watched this for another hour though. While it was pretty much delivered like a documentary with Nik telling the stories of his life as a missionary in some of the worst places on the planet, I never once was board. Using real photos, some video and also re-enactments of the stories, it was engrossing in every way.
It was also very hard hitting and brought me to tears on many occasions. Personally when I watch a movie I look for the emotions that the movie brings. Even a beautifully shot movie can have no emotion and while I will give it props for being shot well (See Arrival), if there is no emotional connection with the store or the characters, I won't score it high. The "Insanity of God" brought the emotion, from complete and utter sadness, to overwhelming joy. This movie has it all.
On the spiritual side of things, you also walk away taking stock of your life and how you live, you cannot help but not think about what you just saw and heard and it will leave a lasting impression on you. It really is that powerful.
Firstly, the production is top notch. It is filmed, edited and produced expertly. It kept me interested and was never boring. The last Christian movie I say was from a well known Christian band and I was itching for it to be over after 30mins. I could have watched this for another hour though. While it was pretty much delivered like a documentary with Nik telling the stories of his life as a missionary in some of the worst places on the planet, I never once was board. Using real photos, some video and also re-enactments of the stories, it was engrossing in every way.
It was also very hard hitting and brought me to tears on many occasions. Personally when I watch a movie I look for the emotions that the movie brings. Even a beautifully shot movie can have no emotion and while I will give it props for being shot well (See Arrival), if there is no emotional connection with the store or the characters, I won't score it high. The "Insanity of God" brought the emotion, from complete and utter sadness, to overwhelming joy. This movie has it all.
On the spiritual side of things, you also walk away taking stock of your life and how you live, you cannot help but not think about what you just saw and heard and it will leave a lasting impression on you. It really is that powerful.
A documentary over how followers of Jesus are thriving under great persecution.
jgutierrez-7293831 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Get ready to experience a film that will leave you wishing for a greater Christianity in America. Whatever your background you will be shaken and at least be left wondering if the God described in the film really exists. The film presents several true stories in a way that is so powerful that it is appealing to everyone, the seeker and the one who may think they have everything. Far from being your average predictable film, you will cringe, be captivated by interest, and ask the same rhetorical question that the filmmakers pose, namely "Is Jesus worth it?" I highly recommend it to everyone even if your background is not Christian. A must see!
Missionaries Nik and Ruth Ripken visit the most persecuted Christians around the world and ask, "Is Jesus worth it?"
jamielucero18 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
After serving on the mission field in some of the most austere locations in Africa and subsequently losing their oldest son, missionaries Nik and Ruth Ripken visit the most persecuted Christian churches around the world and ask the question, "Is Jesus worth it?"
Produced by Lifeway Films, The Insanity of God is a docudrama that chronicles the lives of the Ripken family over the course of over 30 years of mission ministry. Nik and Ruth met at college and were married soon after. Ruth always wanted to be a missionary and obtained her father's blessing on her marriage only after assuring him of her and Nik's dedication to the mission field. Nik soon took on a pastorate in a prominent local church. Life was pleasant for Nik and Ruth as they began to raise a family and plant roots in the church. It wasn't long before a missionary from Africa visited their church and gave his testimony. With tears streaming down their faces, they realized that it was now their time to take up the call to missions.
After a time spent in South Africa in language school, the Ripkens headed north to their new home in Sudan. The work there was fruitful as they saw many lives changed by the gospel of Christ. They were happy in Sudan and had planned to stay there long-term. However, after each of them experienced numerous bouts of malaria, they were counseled to leave the country for their lives' sake. Despondently, they agreed. Some time passed when an opening in war-torn, famine stricken Somalia emerged. After seeing hundreds of starving Somalians rush military vehicles bringing every last cent they own to buy narcotic herbs, Nik knew he needed to offer these people the hope that only Jesus can give. Nik and Ruth brought the family to Somalia. While in Somalia, they experienced one of the most heart wrenching times of their life — the passing of their oldest son, Todd. Just a mere teenager, Todd had a severe asthma attack and medical help could not be obtained in a timely manner. Though heartbroken, Nik and Ruth rested in the peace of Christ and were more determined than ever to share that peace with others.
As Nik reflected on the deep issues of life after his son's death, one thing that really struck him was the fact there were Christians all over the world suffering much more greatly than he and Ruth, and yet they abounded in the faith. Their churches flourished. Their love for God was unwavering. How could this be? He was determined to ask them himself. He and Ruth began to travel around the world interviewing elders from over 75 different countries. They heard their stories of tortures, beatings, killings, separation from loved ones, imprisonment, even death. And yet, when asked "Is Jesus worth it?", there was never a hesitation in their answers.
What Nik and Ruth discovered was that not only was Jesus worth it, He was the very reason for living. Living in persecution was only a small token of their lives that they could offer up to Him. One of the most touching parts of the movie was the change brought about by a Russian man who had been imprisoned for his faith. For 17 years he endured severe hardship and yet each morning he rose, faced the sun, stretched out his arms and sang a Russian hymn to the Lord. Each day he would be taunted and mistreated for doing so. Because he would not be broken, the guards dressed a female prisoner as his wife and allowed him to see her from behind as they drug her to a torture chamber and tortured her for 3 days. As they drug the dead woman in front of his cell, again concealing her identity, he finally broke. He could not stand strong any longer. However, after falling asleep and seeing his wife and children safely at home in a dream given to him by the Holy Spirit, his faith was renewed. He awoke the next day and begin to sing his daily offering to the Lord. Guards rushed to cell with threats of killing him, but before they arrived, thousands of prisoners all turned their faces to the sun, outstretched their arms, and began singing along with him. To God be the glory!
Produced by Lifeway Films, The Insanity of God is a docudrama that chronicles the lives of the Ripken family over the course of over 30 years of mission ministry. Nik and Ruth met at college and were married soon after. Ruth always wanted to be a missionary and obtained her father's blessing on her marriage only after assuring him of her and Nik's dedication to the mission field. Nik soon took on a pastorate in a prominent local church. Life was pleasant for Nik and Ruth as they began to raise a family and plant roots in the church. It wasn't long before a missionary from Africa visited their church and gave his testimony. With tears streaming down their faces, they realized that it was now their time to take up the call to missions.
After a time spent in South Africa in language school, the Ripkens headed north to their new home in Sudan. The work there was fruitful as they saw many lives changed by the gospel of Christ. They were happy in Sudan and had planned to stay there long-term. However, after each of them experienced numerous bouts of malaria, they were counseled to leave the country for their lives' sake. Despondently, they agreed. Some time passed when an opening in war-torn, famine stricken Somalia emerged. After seeing hundreds of starving Somalians rush military vehicles bringing every last cent they own to buy narcotic herbs, Nik knew he needed to offer these people the hope that only Jesus can give. Nik and Ruth brought the family to Somalia. While in Somalia, they experienced one of the most heart wrenching times of their life — the passing of their oldest son, Todd. Just a mere teenager, Todd had a severe asthma attack and medical help could not be obtained in a timely manner. Though heartbroken, Nik and Ruth rested in the peace of Christ and were more determined than ever to share that peace with others.
As Nik reflected on the deep issues of life after his son's death, one thing that really struck him was the fact there were Christians all over the world suffering much more greatly than he and Ruth, and yet they abounded in the faith. Their churches flourished. Their love for God was unwavering. How could this be? He was determined to ask them himself. He and Ruth began to travel around the world interviewing elders from over 75 different countries. They heard their stories of tortures, beatings, killings, separation from loved ones, imprisonment, even death. And yet, when asked "Is Jesus worth it?", there was never a hesitation in their answers.
What Nik and Ruth discovered was that not only was Jesus worth it, He was the very reason for living. Living in persecution was only a small token of their lives that they could offer up to Him. One of the most touching parts of the movie was the change brought about by a Russian man who had been imprisoned for his faith. For 17 years he endured severe hardship and yet each morning he rose, faced the sun, stretched out his arms and sang a Russian hymn to the Lord. Each day he would be taunted and mistreated for doing so. Because he would not be broken, the guards dressed a female prisoner as his wife and allowed him to see her from behind as they drug her to a torture chamber and tortured her for 3 days. As they drug the dead woman in front of his cell, again concealing her identity, he finally broke. He could not stand strong any longer. However, after falling asleep and seeing his wife and children safely at home in a dream given to him by the Holy Spirit, his faith was renewed. He awoke the next day and begin to sing his daily offering to the Lord. Guards rushed to cell with threats of killing him, but before they arrived, thousands of prisoners all turned their faces to the sun, outstretched their arms, and began singing along with him. To God be the glory!
A tear jerking Christian epic for the 21st Century
junktodelete-155-3601730 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is a true story told in a documentary style about a real life, modern day missionary and his wife who venture out to places missionaries will not usually go. He actually entered into a live war zone in a Muslim country and never hid his Christianity. Nik Ripkin is a trail blazer who sought to answer God's calling and bring the Word of Jesus to the most desperate places on earth. The film reveals unspeakable human atrocities and torture and death to those whose only crime was believing in Jesus Christ. The shocking part of all of this is that it is actually happening today, in China and Russia, let alone Muslim countries in Africa. Many Americans are not aware of any of this. Christians in America have no clue of the life of ease they have as compared to Christians around the world who are tortured, imprisoned and even killed, for simply believing in Christ. I urge all who see this movie to also read the book of the same title it is based on. It is one of the most powerful books I've ever read!
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