Counter Culture Mom Logo

The Road to Edmond Falsely Promoted as a Christian Film

Is The Road to Edmond a wholesome Christian film as it claims? Or is it major propaganda, meant to mislead the next generation?

from contributing writer Analia Anderson

Recently, I brought two of my pastors to the screening of the so-called “Christian” film, The Road to Edmond that I saw advertised on Facebook. I really wrestled with writing this review because I always support my fellow Christian filmmakers, no matter what level of quality or stage they’re in… but this was an anti-christ film and work of the devil.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the writer/director/producer, his director of photography, and his lovely wife. They were all kind and welcoming. The director is a former pastor of a church in Orange County whose demographic is the younger generation and still in the world. This film’s purpose is to have that dialogue on the touchy subject of homosexuality that churches don’t want to address. Before the director introduced the film, he warned us we may be offended and leave, but asked us not to protest outside. Because my film has a lot of controversial issues as well, I wanted to see if they pulled it off and how well they executed it.

The Road to Edmond broken down

First off, from a filmmaker’s perspective, they did a great job on the film for a $35,000 budget shot in 12 days. My hang ups are no big deal… just various camera shots needed and a break in monotony from only hearing dialogue from the 2 main characters the entire film. From a biblical perspective, it is absolutely blasphemous. It’s about a youth pastor Cleo who is put on a 2 week leave from his church for supporting a teenage girl in his youth group who has come out as gay, instead of encouraging her to repent and seek counseling. He ends up going on a road trip with a stranger Larry, who accidentally runs over his bike and becomes his confidant during his struggle with the church’s disciplinary action.

the road to edmondWe learn of both gentlemen’s background during their travels. Larry tries to loosen up Cleo getting him to drink, curse & smoke marijuana while affirming the notion that loving people in their battle with homosexuality is supporting their decision to come out. I felt like I was watching the Brett Kavanaugh case, with the devil manipulating and deceiving people through emotions rather than the truth. The cursing and drinking in the film didn’t surprise me, but when they tore the page out of the Bible on how homosexuality is an abomination and rolled it up with weed and smoked it, I was rolling in my grave… and I’m not dead yet.

I understand how even we sinners stumble and revert to our old ways or into traps by the devil, but there was no remorse or repentance afterward by Cleo. He was not upset that he stumbled and was duped by the devil through Larry. Instead, he was upset that he was too drunk to know that Larry had texted his pastor cursing him, jeopardizing his job. In fact, there was no mention of the devil or hell in this film. Its doctrine was strictly based on feelings, the emotional struggles of coming out, and the judgment and bad examples of Christians who wounded them in their lives.

There was no mention of kids being molested that caused confusion in their sexual identity. There was no mention of fatherless homes and lack of paternal affection that caused confusion between love and sex. There was no mention of demonic spirits of lust, sexual perversion, or suicide… which are results of demons condemning and tormenting people when they open the door and give legal right to demons to oppress them through sin and lack of knowledge. “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6. SPOILER ALERT: At the end of the film it turns out Larry was a former youth pastor himself. Along their road trip, they stop by another church and Larry officiates a lesbian wedding with a male gay choir. A wedding guest chats with Cleo saying Larry was her youth pastor and he “loved them.” This film’s message of God’s love is accepting homosexuality. The love of God is telling people the truth and setting them free from the lies of the devil!

Q & A Controversy

After the film during the Q&A, my pastors stood up and expressed their concern for the encouragement of sin and lack of wise counsel from other pastors. I also asked if the director stopped pastoring 10 years ago because of his “progressive” viewpoint on homosexuality as he described. He said he had various opinions from pastors, but people applauded him for his “bravery” for tackling a touchy subject. Again, I felt like I was watching the Brett Kavanaugh case of people commending Christine Ford for coming forward with no evidence or truth, but appeasing to emotional suffering from holding it in for years…. regardless of whether these feelings are legitimate. The devil is a liar!!!

But if your vision is poor, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:23

The director said there were many people in the audience who are gay and love Jesus. If people truly love Jesus and are in the Word daily, the Holy Spirit would convict them of their sin. This director has no spiritual discernment.

This is the problem in the church today. People lack understanding of the spirit realm. People often quote Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,” but have no clue what principalities are and how these rulers of darkness operate in the spirit realm. The devil deceives, manipulates, and controls our minds, hearts, and flesh when we give him permission… knowingly or ignorantly.

Deliverance over Deception

One lady in the audience acknowledged she leaned on the conservative side like us. There was a gal who attended the Bible college she worked at who came out as a lesbian and they wrestled with how to deal with her. They let her stay in the school, but she later dropped out. The lady questioned how we show love to homosexuals without judging them. Both my pastor and I wanted to shout out “DELIVERANCE,” but the director immediately shut down my pastor. There was no “dialogue” about this subject. It was blatant permission to live in sin. This deception is plaguing our church and sending people straight to hell.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” – Isaiah 5:20

This is not about sexual preference, but saving souls. Our lives here on earth is a testing and battleground to make it to heaven’s gate and spend an eternity with our loving Father. The devil knows his time is short, so he will do anything to get us to curse God and live contrary to His commands. The easiest way for the devil to destroy the masses is to take down the leaders, especially in the churches. That’s why we see so many pastors falling to adultery and homosexuality. It leaves distrust in churches and faith in God, so people turn away.

The devil gets them young too! It’s no wonder why we see so many suicides among our youth as young as 8 years old! Satan has polluted entertainment with video games, music, magazines, pornography, and movies such as this to gain access of their minds and control their behaviors. People want to blame Christians and the bible for the struggles and suicides among homosexuals, but it is the torment from the devil that condemns and mocks those who have fallen into sin to take their own lives. Because of the self-destructive behaviors (suicide, homosexuality, promiscuity, drinking, drugs, cutting, etc.), those who love the Lord do not want to see those hurting turn away from God, so they change their doctrine to suit the emotional needs of the weak and prey of the devil.

This is how Satan has deceived the church. People take parts of the bible, including just the New Testament, rather than seeking the FULL counsel of God. They only refer to the words of Jesus, omitting that Jesus is God, and He is the same yesterday as He is today and tomorrow. They want to exclude the Old Testament, or pick and choose which verses to abide by, believing the distortion that Jesus came to abolish the law, when in fact He came to FULFILL it. People mistake Jesus paying the price for sin as Him redefining sin, like the redefining of marriage. Not true!!!

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”—Matthew 5:17 KJV

“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”—2 Timothy 1:10  KJV

“…my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.”—Isaiah 51:6  KJV

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”—Romans 8:4 KJV

The Bible clearly states God’s views on homosexuality

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination.”—Leviticus 18:22 KJV

“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”—Leviticus 20:13 KJV

In Genesis 13, God destroys Sodom because the men were wicked in their sexual perversions. For those who only refer to the New Testament, Romans 1 is very clear and explicit on homosexuality.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”—Romans 1:18-32. NIV

God is clear on how He views those people who approve of homosexuality

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, ‘Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.’ The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”—1 Corinthians 6:9-20. NIV

We need to pray not just for the homosexuals, but those who approve of this lifestyle. We need to pray for leaders, especially in our church and government, and these filmmakers that their eyes be open from the lies of the devil so they may serve the TRUE GOD (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and not a false Christ, and spare the souls who are perishing from their sin and lack of knowledge. HELL IS REAL. HELL IS ETERNAL. Our flesh and feelings are TEMPORAL. Be kingdom minded! LOVE IS TRUTH!!!

 

Analia Anderson is a Christian filmmaker based out of LA. She has worked in every aspect of the entertainment industry in music, film, fashion, fitness, and photography for almost three decades. 

SHARE THIS POST by clicking on the share button above so more people will know to avoid supporting and seeing this film. Teenagers will be especially confused by it’s lies.

Don’t Miss A Post!

Get our weekly newsletter and never miss a post. In addition, we’ll send you a FREE Parent Media Guide loaded with pop culture purge pointers and family-friendly entertainment options for your crew.



 

26 Comments
  • Erry
    Posted at 19:11h, 28 October Reply

    This whole blog makes me so sad. I hope you find a way to love and accept others for who they are. #loveislove

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:47h, 24 September Reply

      God loves everyone and I love everyone! I want everyone to know the truth! So I have an urgency to share God’s truth about homosexuality. I will be judged by God someday on how I answer this. To love someone is to share the truth with them so they no longer live in sin. To not love someone is to accept their sin and tell them that they can do whatever they want. I have friends who help guide me and correct me if I’m doing something wrong as well. We need to live according to God’s word. Hope you daily dig deeper into God’s love and adoration for you and seek His truth on the topic of homosexuality.

  • Jason
    Posted at 12:43h, 01 November Reply

    What a great film. I loved it, I laughed and thought Tripp and crew did a great job.

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:50h, 24 September Reply

      You’re entitled to your opinion! You know how I feel about the film. God is so clear on homosexuality. This movie promotes major deception. What the film should have covered was God’s love for all and that he doesn’t want anyone to live in sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Romans 1:26-28 are great verses they should have applied during the flick. They will be held accountable for the inaccurate info that will lead more people astray. Thanks for your comment 🙂

  • Sean Williamson
    Posted at 15:03h, 01 November Reply

    I think you come from a much different and fundamentalist back ground than I do. What does the “spirit of homosexuality” mean? Is it something that you are hiding inside so can recognize it? Had Cleo suggested reprogramming to the Youth would you have found it more acceptable? The reality is the church today is not what Christ taught, the church today is full of controlling entities who are not interested in serving humankind but instead to serve themselves. This film was made for folks that think like you, to maybe allow you to open your mind and look at what God’s love can do.

    As my southern grandma used to say “Bless your heart…”

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:51h, 24 September Reply

      HI Sean!
      I actually AGREE with you on what today’s churches look like, however I’m not one of those people. God’s word in scripture is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow no matter how nuts our culture gets. Homosexuality is still what God says it is. Even though I did not write this article, you think that I did, I know what God’s word says about this lifestyle.

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:54h, 24 September Reply

      What you said about today’s churches I AGREE with. I’m interested in saving and serving humankind. I’m saddened by the state of many churches. However, I know what God’s word says about homosexuality. His word never changes. What the film should have covered was God’s love for all and that he doesn’t want anyone to live in sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Romans 1:26-28 are great verses they should have applied during the flick. They will be held accountable for the inaccurate info that will lead more people astray. Thanks for your comment 🙂

  • Chuck E Queso
    Posted at 15:21h, 01 November Reply

    Thank you so much for informing me about this movie. It looks really well-thought out and nuanced – just the sort of consideration grace leads us to!

    I wouldn’t presume to have too much control over truth, as you seem to have. It will likely prevent you from growing spiritually.

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:56h, 24 September Reply

      Hi Chuck!

      I didn’t write the review, but I know what God says about homosexuality. This film didn’t cover the truth about this top topic people want answers on today. His word never changes. What the film should have covered was God’s love for all and that he doesn’t want anyone to live in sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Romans 1:26-28 are great verses they should have applied during the flick. They will be held accountable for the inaccurate info that will lead more people astray. Thanks for your comment 🙂

  • Jim Mitulski
    Posted at 17:01h, 02 November Reply

    What a hateful review. It made me want to see the film. The author self styles herself a film maker but I wonder what kind of films she actually makes She sure doesn’t deport herself like a Christian. Referring to one film crew member who was gay ( and presumably an adult, though she calls her a girl) as “obvious”. So adolescent! That’s the kind of behavior that’s characistic of bullies. I truly hope she never had a child, friendnor family member who turns Tom her for any kind of comfort. Romans 2:1

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:55h, 24 September Reply

      Hi Jim,

      I didn’t write the review, but I know what God says about homosexuality. This film didn’t cover the truth about this top topic people want answers for today. His word never changes. What the film should have covered was God’s love for all and that he doesn’t want anyone to live in sin. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Romans 1:26-28 are great verses they should have applied during the flick. They will be held accountable for the inaccurate info that will lead more people astray. Thanks for your comment 🙂

      • Lorna Jean Thompson-Anderson
        Posted at 18:23h, 31 March Reply

        Tina Marie,
        Are you a member of the Westboro Baptist Church or a latent Lesbian who hates herself?

        • Tina Marie Griffin
          Posted at 14:42h, 01 April Reply

          Hi Lorna!

          Neither…however, if you would have seen from the article…I was NOT the author. However, I have a good sense that you were offended because this article speaks truth. Dig in deep to God’s word and know that HE loves you and wants you to know truth and live truth. His scripture (the Bible) is truth. this movie is not. I forgive you for making that comment. It was not necessary, but I know that truth is also hard to take when we are convicted. I’ve learned that a ton over the years. best to you.. T

  • ian
    Posted at 12:29h, 27 September Reply

    a lot of what you say is correct. the fire and brimstone method in which you present your beliefs, however, i dunno. it seems to be working for you, but, is it? are you really winning over people who otherwise wouldn’t have listened? because the only reason i’m here is because i already agree with your viewpoints, for the most part.

    maybe tone it down a little bit, try to reach a middle ground of understanding. you don’t need to sacrifice your beliefs or ideals to do it. your message is an important, and true one, but… a little graceless.

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 08:01h, 29 September Reply

      Hi Ian!

      Thank you for your message! I didn’t write this piece. It was written by a friend of mine who saw the movie premiere. But thank you for your thoughts and I will pass this along to her 🙂

  • Steven Davis
    Posted at 13:03h, 27 January Reply

    If you’d like some actual insight into Christians who have same sex attraction, read ‘Torn’ by Justin Lee. Most gay people come from happy, two parent homes with no history of abuse of any type. To say otherwise is a lie, and we all know who the father of lies is.

    • CCM Team
      Posted at 07:46h, 02 September Reply

      I have actually read that book among many others. If you would like some more reading materials on the subject I would love to provide some that I feel really helped me on my journey to understanding this complicated issue.
      Justin Lee wrote a very insightful book, but don’t stop there!

  • Jessica
    Posted at 13:33h, 27 January Reply

    I’m glad i stumbled upon your review. I received an email telling me about the film, but the summary did not set well with me so I wanted a Christian perspective. I’m glad I read this to save myself the trouble of viewing this film. I absolutely want nothing to do with a film that’s promoting “progressive” Christianity as it calls it, Being progressive and twisting the word of God to justify sin are never the same. Thank you for your honest review.

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 09:17h, 03 April Reply

      You got it! Keep up the great job of DISCERNING truth from lies! You’re on the right track!

  • Michael Arnold
    Posted at 12:49h, 28 January Reply

    This is an excellent review of the movie. I had a lot of these thoughts when I watched the movie myself (specifically the Romans 1 passage).

    The movie is a great view into the more progressive side of Christianity, which blatantly ignores what the Bible says is true of certain sins (illustrated perfectly by the scene where they rip out a part of the Bible). This film harps on the strings of people’s feelings rather than on the truth of the Word. God is love, but these types of Christians make “love” their God. How can you blame them for redefining God/truth when the cultural definition of love changes? They don’t follow the objective standard of God so they are doomed to not only blatantly sin, but also give approval for blatant sin as well.

    • Tina Marie Griffin
      Posted at 09:16h, 03 April Reply

      You are right on. If you’re looking for a part time job writing for us, email us at info@counterculturemom.com

  • Kent Walburn
    Posted at 12:59h, 15 May Reply

    I just got a spam email FROM the film makers, where they actual mock this response. It really is disheartening to not only see the truth mocked, but also used to try to sell more copies of the film.

    So sad for that film maker, Trip Fuller, and his need to put others down to advertise their work.

    Very glad to have read this article though- I am completely against any film that hides Christ in order to share some nameless “love”. At least they mention this review, so hopefully more people will see it before they go to the movie. Just sad all around right now, really.

    • CCM Team
      Posted at 07:17h, 02 September Reply

      Kent, thank you so much for your comment.
      Yes, it is very unfortunate that Christianity is mocked so openly.

  • Dennis Gannon
    Posted at 02:32h, 05 December Reply

    Great acting, but the wrong message. The film justifies the sin of homosexuality. Usually, the liberals are loving in these movies and the conservatives are painted as narrow and unloving. This movie did not portray any of the conservatives in any of the acting rolls, but did paint the pastor of the conservative church as a hypocrite via text messages. He was condemning the youth minister for the record, but privately praising him. The movie reflects just how weak most churches are. Since President Johnson started the 501c3 tax break, that most churches grabbed, the government also limits the church on speaking out against sin. And those limits have grown worse and worse over the years. So, now most 501c3 churches just ignore controversy, and those churches are just shallow pep talks, really fake churches. Real Christians can not really join the fake churches and are reduced to home Bible studies and independent fellowship. Eventually, the fake churches will collapse and real Churches will reject the 501c3 Trojan Horse trap. Once they do that, they can speak out against sin like they did before the Johnson Administration.

    • CCM Team
      Posted at 09:40h, 08 December Reply

      Yes, the 501c3 tax break really isn’t worth it in a lot of cases. There will be a time when it is fully used against us. What we see now is minor.

  • Steve porter
    Posted at 18:05h, 30 January Reply

    Tina seems like a lot of fun. Not at all sad.

Post A Comment