Articles/Blogs

"The Compass Cinema team has helped bridge the gap between text and application. Watching the biblical truth unfold in a familiar setting reinforces the impact Jesus’ original audience must have felt. For anyone “who likes movies” (or even if you don’t) and takes the Bible seriously, I cannot recommend this resource enough." read full review - Brent Thomas - Colossiansthreesixteen.com

"We felt simultaneously entertained and taught by these 15-20 minute modern adaptations of Jesus' parables. And the application videos helped drive home how the film intentionally conveyed the elements of the parable in Jesus' day. We highly recommend these parables for use in family devotions, youth groups, Sunday School classes, and small groups. The box comes with excellent teacher preps. The films are an excellent supplement for bringing the timeless truths of Jesus' message to life in our modern context." read full review - Alex Chediak - Alexchediak.com

"Thematically and theologically, Modern Parables casts all of the significant theological, pedagogical, and cultural elements of the original parables in a modern setting. After seeing the films, one is challenged to conceive of a more effective, or even equally effective, means of conveying the original intent. These are not just moral tales of doing good, or working to be a good hearer, these stories of Jesus have the pastoral and teaching role of instructing in matters of Kingdom living. Not only do the stories of these films cause viewers to wrestle with these hard sayings, but the art of the films also demands the viewer to contemplate the story at deeper levels." read the full review - Greg Wilbur - Reformation21.com

"I...like a good movie and a good story. And I found these delightful. Each of the short films brought out the meaning of its parable quite well. I particularly enjoyed how the pathos, the personalities and the implied conflicts and dilemmas in the parables were brought out by the films." read the full review - Richard - The Boar's Head Tavern

"I think some of these stories impacted me on a level that the original stories have not for some time. It sounds terrible to write this, but somehow, through repeated retelling and study, so many of the parables have lost some of their punch. But to see them in a new context challenged me anew to grasp their significance...." read full review - Tim Challies - Challies.com

"I watched the first six short films - Volume 1 - in one sitting with my wife. They are really well done, and I'm very happy to commend them to individuals, families, small groups, Sunday-school groups, etc." read full review - Justin Taylor - Between Two Worlds

"Small groups leaders everywhere, rejoice! Compass Cinema has produced an impressive new curriculum series that will help us help others engage the Bible in a brand new and dramatic way.... Yes, this curriculum is built upon high quality theatrics and parabolic re-creation, but it is deep substance too. In fact, the curriculum’s goal is re-create in the viewer the same responses that the original audiences of Jesus’ parables might have experienced. Such a goal requires a very deep and academic understanding of Jesus, his original audience, the parables, and the 1st century setting in which they were originally told. All of these things would have to be firmly understood before one could grasp Jesus’ original audiences reactions, and then re-create the story to solicit the same reaction from contemporary viewers. This is an incredibly deep and holistic journey into Jesus’ parabolic material and teaching...." read full review - Shawn Anthony - Lo-Fi Tribe

"In short, I like the variety of uses these videos offer -- they are ideal for starting fruitful discussions with young children, initiating spiritual discussions with non-Christians, and giving your own Bible study a fresh take." read full review - Carolyn McCulley - Radical Womanhood

"The films...speak to church members from middle school through adult, and to people who have grown up in the church as well as to people brand new to all that God-talk business." read article - Kay Campbell - The Huntsville Times

"I enjoyed these videos and believe they could be used very effectively in a variety of settings. I will be watching them again with my family and recommending them at my church." read full review - David Kjos - The Thirsty Theologian

"Compass recently released Modern Parables Volume 1, which we rated 4.5 stars (out of 5) in the November/December issue of COLLIDE. Thomas and his crew have a lot of talent and a great heart for creating high quality art with deep spiritual value. If you’re in the market for small group curriculum that involves both video and discussion, the Modern Parables series is a great place to start." read blog post - Scott McClellan, Editor - Collide Magazine

Samaritan wins at San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival - "The top honor in the 'Best Narrative' category was awarded to 'Samaritan,' a thirteen-minute drama written and directed by Thomas Purifoy. The film portrays the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan in a modern setting." read full article - San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

“The parables directly parallel Jesus’ Kingdom parables and are scripted and filmed excellently. They are biblically faithful, culturally relevant, and easy to watch. Best of all for a pastor like me, they provide a lot of different elements to narrow in on for teaching and discussion.” read full article - Nick Kennicott - Reformingstudents.com