Weighing in at only thirty-three minutes, The 180 Movie packs a lot of heart and mind-stimulating wallop for viewers at the polar ends of the abortion debate as well as those in the ignorant or undecided middle. The short, man-on-the-street style film effectively reinforces several timeless truths, including the dignity of all people, the humanity of the unborn, the irrationality and horror of abortion, and the forgiveness offered by Christ in the gospel.
Perhaps the mostsignificant encouragement coming from this film is the reminder that God can still change hearts and minds through boldly humble cultural engagement. This is a primary aim of the film’s producers; an aim they support with a robust distribution strategy and other apologetic resources on the movie’s supporting websites: www.heartchanger.com and www.180movie.com.
This short film is suitable for a teen-plus audience inside and outside churches. Churches for Life strongly advises those screening this film in any context to amplify the film’s short viewer discretions, given mainly due to bleeped-out profanity/gestures, and some raw images of Nazi concentration camp victims. We would also advise ample time after viewing for collective debriefing. Here are some helps for such a discussion. Scripture references are not exhaustive, but merely a starting place to salt your discussion with Truth.
What do you think about the primary truths espoused in the film; namely that all people possess dignity (including the unborn), that it is irrational and immoral to kill innocent people, and that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness in the gospel? Consider Gen. 1:26-27, 9:6-7, Ex. 20:13, Deut. 21:9, Prov. 6:17-18, 24:12-13, John 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Rev. 16.
How does the gospel show up in the film? Besides being merely a message we should share with others, how must the gospel be our primary motive for engaging culture? Consider Deut. 24:17-22, Acts 5:17-42, Rom. 12:1.
What is the difference, if any, between “murder” and “killing”? Murder is broadly defined as taking human life with general or malicious premeditation, while killing is taking human life without premeditation. How might the consideration that it is difficult to identify our own motives impact our rendering a verdict of “murder” regarding abortion? What affect does rendering that judgment have on our hearts? Consider Ex. 20:13, Num. 35, Deut. 4:42, Matt. 7:1, Lk. 6:37, Rom. 2:1, Jas. 4:11-12.
How, if at all, are we similar to the hardened ones being interviewed (e.g. the guy with the Mohawk, the gay girl)? How did you find yourself feeling about those hardened? How does your view of yourself vis-à-vis them affect your posture toward the culture and how/if you engage it? Consider Lk. 17:11-21 and 18:9-17.
Evaluate Ray Comfort’s approach. What are its strengths and weaknesses? Why did you feel comfortable or uncomfortable with Ray’s methods? How is your approach like or unlike Ray’s? How does Ray’s approach compare to John the Baptist in Luke 3:1-20, Jesus in Matt. 12, and Paul in Acts 17?
How were you encouraged and/or challenged by this film? Would you show it to others? Why or why not? How might you engage those around you with these deeply impactful themes? Consider Prov. 24:11-12, Matt. 5:13-16, 10:16.