ENCORE: Can Hollywood Get the Bible Right? Jon Erwin on House of David

Can a Hollywood biblical epic truly honor Scripture—and reach hearts in the process? In this special episode of The Greg Laurie Podcast, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with acclaimed Christian filmmaker Jon Erwin—director of "Jesus Revolution" and Prime Video's new series "House of David"—for a candid and inspiring conversation on faith, filmmaking, and the challenges of bringing Bible stories to life on the big screen.

Together, Pastor Greg Laurie and Jon Erwin unpack what it means to create art that’s both culturally compelling and biblically faithful. From "Jesus Revolution’s" emotional authenticity to the monumental storytelling in "House of David," they explore the creative process behind translating Scripture into a visual language that resonates with modern audiences—without watering down truth.

Hear how Jon Erwin approaches biblical accuracy (“This is a love letter to Scripture, not Scripture itself”), why the "House of David" series has the power to point viewers back to the Bible, and what it was like shooting spiritual milestone moments like the baptism scene at Pirates Cove. You’ll also discover the remarkable influence of Jon Erwin’s upbringing—rooted in Scripture memorization, classic films, and a family legacy of bold faith—and practical advice he offers for aspiring Christian creatives.

Two must-hear moments include:

• The inside story behind casting David and producing a series for a global Prime Video audience—delivering truth to millions in 25+ languages.
• A moving real-life account of how a film brought an 85-year-old man to faith and to the waters of baptism at the very place where revival history was made.

Whether you love faith-based films, want to deepen your understanding of biblical storytelling, or need encouragement to pursue your own God-given dreams, this episode offers invaluable insights and heartfelt wisdom.

Subscribe for more conversations that blend faith, creativity, and culture—delivering inspiration and biblical truth for today’s world.

If you prayed with Pastor Greg, receive your FREE copy of the New Believer’s Bible here: https://harvest.org/request-material/.

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CHAPTERS:

00:06 Jon Erwin’s First Ask: Pastor Laurie and the Lord’s Prayer
02:14 Birth of a Creative Partnership: Jesus Revolution Inspiration
03:30 Lightning in a Bottle: Filming Miraculous Scenes
06:23 Baptism at Pirates Cove: Life Imitating Art
08:18 85-Year-Old’s Life-Changing Baptism Story
10:13 Baptism Scene Breakdown: Behind the Cinematic Rebirth
13:56 House of David: Bringing Bible Stories to Life
15:39 Global Reach: 250 Million Viewers and the Sacred Message
17:35 Faithful Retelling: Hollywood vs. Biblical Accuracy
18:30 “This Is a Love Letter to Scripture”
19:09 The Hero’s Journey: Connecting David to Modern Epics
22:01 The Honesty of David’s Psalms—Relatable and Raw
25:46 Scriptural Fidelity: Word-for-Word Powerful Confrontation Scene
28:16 Humanizing Samuel: Emotional Layers Behind the Prophet
32:41 Childhood Roots: Memorizing Proverbs for Six Flags
40:50 Jon Erwin’s Advice: Dream Bold, Start Small, Never Quit

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.