Actor and outspoken Christian Alan Ritchson recently shared a message about people who criticize him for playing in secular projects like his hit show “Reacher.” He released a YouTube video stating that he loves playing Reacher and telling the story, highlighting that his character offers a unique opportunity to explore values and ethics.
Ritchson said, “I love playing a character who creates a kind of moral ambiguity that we should struggle against as we consider whether or not what he’s doing is good all the time or morally right. I think that kind of thing is fun and fascinating, and I think escaping to that world as an audience; hopefully, it’s as enjoyable for you as it is for me to help bring it to life.” The “Fast X” star went on to address how he often faces critique for being a Christian who plays such a complex character.
He said, “Supposed Christians especially criticize me for playing Reacher. As if the only TV that should exist is seeing people silently folding their hands in the pew of a church. I mean, what kind of stories are we supposed to tell?” Ritchson pointed to the many complex stories told in the Bible: journeys replete with characters who are anything but perfect.
In the Old and New Testaments, the actor said one can easily see “a thousand years of an infinitely holy God holding tension with human beings as he tells the story of who he is, reveals who he is through an imperfect people.” And Ritchson didn’t stop there. He added that the Bible is filled with “miracles and magic,” with the Lord being totally unafraid to “tell the story of who he is through less than morally ambiguous characters, through pure evil sometimes.” In the end, he said it’s “laughable” to critique him for not solely playing saintly characters.
Rather than dismissing “Reacher” as improper, Richson said Christians could even use the show to start spiritual conversations. As for the actor’s journey, he said his platform allows him to help spark these discussions with fans and followers alike. Toward the end of the video, Ritchson read the first two verses of Genesis to point back to God’s creation and to connect the Lord’s design to His love for humanity. The actor encouraged people, rather than being distracted, to seek God.
Ritchson also has a passion for faith-based movies and stars in “Ordinary Angels,” a film releasing next month. A synopsis reads, “Inspired by the incredible true story of a hairdresser who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter.”
The actor has expressed he enjoys telling such uplifting stories. In an interview with Christian Headlines, he also voiced his beliefs about the true nature of many heroes. He said, “God continually shows up in our world in a way that kind of boggles our mind. Because we — for whatever reason — I think we continue to buy into the idea that God chooses heroes to do His work. And it’s just never been the case. It’s the broken and the dysfunctional that God proves His power and strength through. And this a story of that, too.”