The Movie "Safe Haven" and the Missional Life

[Lynn S. Nored]

The movie "Safe Haven" is popular movie that many Christians are attending. The plot is summarized as follows:

"When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport...  This past include a policemen husband who beat her and would seemingly have killed her until she escaped to lead this new life,  Of course he tracks her down eventually to try and kill her., "  

The plot is engaging, invoking suspense, terror, and sympathy for the Katie as a victim.  But, the movie has some moral dilemmas and problems:

a) What is the correct Christian response to a husband who is violent to the point of beating and possibly death?

b) If one separates from this situation, without divorce, how involved can one become with a person of the opposite sex and their family?

c) Though divorce might seem impossible ( even revealing your location exposes you to possible murder by the husband) does this justify sexual intercourse  with someone you have fallen in love with? Should you allow yourself to "fall in love" even before divorce? 

The culture says escape is essential.  And, if after time, you establish another life then falling in love and intercourse is quite all right.  

The questions are real in our postmodern culture.  What do you think Katie's response as a Christian should have been?  Remember her husband is a detective policeman who is "the law" where she lives.