Sylvester Stallone - Champion for Christ Our Trainer

Champion for Christ Our Trainer

By: Lisa A. Rice

On December 20th, Sylvester Stallone brought the world the sixth "Rocky" movie; but this time audiences found a spiritual depth that may have been missing or underplayed in his previous films. According to Stallone, the new "Rocky Balboa" hints at a spiritual journey that parallels his own- a journey that has recently culminated in an overtly expressed allegiance to Christ.
Surprised? So were many of the faith leaders in America that Stallone invited to interview him last month by phone. We were delighted that Christian Living magazine was one of them.
CL (Christian Leaders): One thing that struck me about your new movie, "Rocky Balboa," is that it gives a vivid picture of the spiritual journey of the protagonist, Rocky. What does that say about your own personal journey?

Stallone: This film is very biographical, especially in the beginning scenes. With this movie, I felt as though I needed to say something through the character about how I was wayward and lost, and how I could get on my feet again.

CL: But you've done that a bit in the past as well, haven't you?

Stallone: Yes, to some extent. A portion of "Rocky One" was filmed in an old chapel. You see Rocky's face as he's being hit with a picture of Christ in the background, and you know he's being chosen for a spiritual journey.

CL: In your new film, we see that Rocky Balboa has been retired for some time and is hurting for money, so he decides to step back into the ring against a few small-time boxers. Everything changes though when he's offered the opportunity to step in with the reigning Heavyweight Champion, Mason "The Line" Dixon. The big question, of course, is does Rocky still have what it takes to make another Championship comeback? Are there some similar questions being asked about Sly Stallone?

Stallone: Absolutely. But hopefully this film will be redemptive to a greater degree than ever. I realize now that this is the most important message. As a young person, you feel that the world revolves around you and that you have all the vim, vigor and energy to take on the world. But after you're knocked down a few times, you see that you need guidance, light and spiritual help. I now realize how heavily I rely upon Jesus, the Word of God and His support. I pass this lesson along to my kids, too...that sometimes we have to learn things the hard way before it really takes hold.
In the movie, when Rocky's lost everything and we see him triumph, the last thing he hears before entering the ring is scripture. He doesn't fight for money or glory, but for a divine purpose. Because of his calling and God-given ability, he can show the way and portray the lesson that you don't have to be the strongest and biggest-if you truly believe.

CL: In Rocky Balboa, some scripture is given. Do you have a favorite verse or person in scripture?

Stallone: Sometimes it's hard to find the best piece of scripture to live your life by. I've found that Mark 4 is incredible in talking about the seed that Christ sows...that some sowed by the wayside and on the stony ground that had no root and withered away. That is some of the greatest writing ever, and I try to live my life by that parable. The Word of God springing up inside, and in this film is one of the ways that it is manifested.

CL: You have some opinions about the importance of being part of a church community-not being a "lone ranger" in your faith.
Stallone: Definitely. I believe you can't do this journey alone. Without the church, it's like having a boat without a rudder. But you often think you can do it on your own. For example, all my life I've been involved with exercise, and I know a great deal about the body. I've found that you need help. You need a trainer, and you need to go to a gym. You cannot train yourself. I feel the same way about Christianity, the churches in general and the soul.
The priests, reverends, ministers and pastors are the trainers. They guide you to the places you think you can't go. They train you. They guide you to make sure everyone in the church is on the same page. I hear so many people say, "I can do it on my own...I have this one-on-one relationship with God." Well, it's just not the same. I found that out the hard way. When people say things like that, they're trying to justify their laziness. You have to make the effort. You get out what you put into it. The more I listen to His Word and let Him guide my hand, the more He carries me. The more I turn myself over to the process of letting Him guide me, the more the pressure is off because He's carrying me. If you put in the time, you will reap the benefits.

CL: You say you found things out the hard way...that you were wayward and lost. What was your journey like? Can you share a bit about your experience in Hollywood?

Stallone: Sure. In 1980, my marriage was not good. I was seduced by temptations and morally weakening. When you make it big in Hollywood, it's like you have keys to the candy store. Your morals get corrupted, and you start believing your own hype. You surround yourself with people who will tell you want you want to hear.
I would end up writing a new "Rocky" because I needed the moral compass that character would give me. But then, I'd give in to the lackadaisical, irresponsible life stars live. Finally, I hit rock bottom, and my career went stagnant. It was at the low point that I knew I had to get back to the basics of faith in God and Christ.

CL: I understand that your wife played a role in that healing process?

Stallone: Yes. I have a wonderful wife and three great kids, all of whom I'd die for in a second. Through my wife's influence, everything came into place. I asked God for help, and He gave it to me. I didn't find answers through "yes friends," lawyers or agents, but through God.

CL: What advice do you have for those in Hollywood?

Stallone: Anyone can shoot a pretty picture, but many people can't tell a story and move the heart. That is the key to longevity for a film. It must become part of them. It must be passionate and compelling in heart and energy. It can't just be car chases, and fist fights; you must look at the message and the outcome. When you write from the heart, out comes a spiritual message.

CL: You seem to have a new passion for creating redemptive films. Can you elaborate?

Stallone: I realize I've been negligent in the past for not reaching out to people who want this. Hollywood is isolated and money-driven, and faith is certainly not up at the forefront. But I'm hoping that changes. If we are to continue to make films like Rocky, The Passion and other movies you can take your family to, then we have to go out and support these things at the box office. Everything I've done that was bad has deserved to fail because there was no spiritual basis or redemptive element in it. But thank God that is changing. I believe that as long as you have Christ in your heart, there's no such thing as losing.

CL: Thank you for sharing your faith story with us. We wish you the best of success with "Rocky Balboa" and all future, redemptive Sly Stallone films.

"Life is hard, and faith can help us to face some of those challenges and issues in our past. You see Rocky do that throughout his movies, but particularly it comes to kind of a peak in this movie... It was exciting to see."
~Jud Wilhite
Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church
Las Vegas, Nevada

"I thought it was a tremendous film. I thought it was powerful. It was not an overtly Christian film, but it was a film filled with Christian themes of faith and hope and second changes and redemption, and I would say that for us as Christians that it gives us real fodder for conversations with people to talk about those themes."
~Mark Mittelberg
Writer, speaker and Church Consultant

For more information about Sylvester Stallone and his new movie, "Rocky Balboa," please visit www.rockyresources.com