I have a homework assignment for everyone. Don’t worry, it’s a fun one.
Between now and, let’s say, April 25, everyone needs to rent and watch the movie Amazing Grace. I watched it this weekend, and it was very good. There are several themes that I would like to hear your thoughts and reactions to. Here’s a list of a couple of mine that I’ve come up with, and I’m seriously proposing that you all watch it and we begin writing an open forum discussion on here. I think a lot can be gleaned from discussing this movie.
For one, there’s the most obvious theme of overcoming injustice and the Christian obligation/desire to “fight” if you will, for the oppressed and stand up for what is just. This is mainly displayed through the slavery theme in the movie, but I bet we could display a couple more if we wanted to.
Another thing that occurred to me…God really doesn’t limit who He imparts wisdom to. I think it’s been the tendency in culture to associate wisdom with age…which I guess is mostly true. But sometimes we mistake the wisdom we gain from experience and living in this world for Godly wisdom, when really it’s just callousness (like in the case of many of the older members of parliament in the movie.) Now don’t get me wrong…I don’t think old people are stupid…that’s not what I’m saying. I am saying, however, that through the movie the scripture “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set and example” was running through my head and it encouraged me. I think God desires to impart His wisdom on all who are searching it…not just those who have “earned it” through years of experience. It makes me think that I need to step back from many situations and recalculate my idea of what wisdom and good leadership are. “For the wisdom of man is the foolishness of God.”
Another is that of mixing politics and Christ. In the movie William Wilberforce seemed to do a good job of balancing both; he was using his political power to push a good agenda. It reminds me of Bonhoeffer…a pacifist that was willing to knock off Hitler for the greater good. But this raises certain ethical and theological dilemma for me….where is that line? Where can Christ and politics be coexistent, and where should they not mesh. When is it ok to “push” our beliefs in the political arena and when do we need to rely on a more “grass roots” kind of movement? (Granted, politics in William Wilberforce’s day were probably a little different than they are currently…) It’s something I’ve been trying to sort out the past year and unfortunately I don’t think I’ve gotten very far.
So do me a favor and comment, and go watch the movie. You’ll be all the better for it, I really do believe.
