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.
I’ve been reading Bonhoeffer’s Ethics. It’s not light reading, but it’ worthwhile. He obviously doesn’t say, “This is why I tried to kill Hitler,” but if you read between the lines, you can tell he is struggling with that question.
Bonhoeffer remained a pacifist. He knew his involvement in the plot against Hitler was in some sense sin, and he thought of it as bearing the sin of his nation as part of the discipleship of following Jesus. He also thought it would be a greater sin to avoid doing what was necessary in an attempt to avoid staining himself with guilt. It would be the sin of self-righteousness.
He also believed you cannot make a law out of an exception that may be required in an extreme case.
Thanks for the comment! And believe me, I was definitely just trying to bring up the idea of Bonhoeffer as someone of great conflict in that realm…and I definitely oversimplified for the sake of not becoming long winded. There’s a documentary I watched one night at a small theater in Nashville about his life. I wish I could remember who produced it, etc, because it was very good.
A blog I sometimes contribute to has a page listing “Bonhoeffer Resources,” including a PB webpage with lots of facts and photos. Wellspringks.wordpress.com.
As far as I knowWilburforce didn’t take up arms against slaveholders, like John Brown did in Virginia and Kansas.
I accept and have started preparing for the mission. We bought the movie and watched it in youth group this week. Kind of surprisingly, the kids really liked it. I was afraid they would lose interest, but it was very captivating. There’s a lot to chew on, so I’ll be mulling it over until the 25th. I’m trying to get Gary on board too. The more the merrier!
Yay!!! I am excited. I hope your youthgroup will join me in the discussion. Maybe I can get Petty on board with this too….?
Alright, I’m gonna watch it this week. If Courtney and Curt both say I should, then I probably should.
Well since I’ve been called out I better jump in the mix too. I definitely intend to watch it and hopefully use it as an aid to our bible studies! I’m gonna be late on the April 25 deadline though. Tomorrow…
On a side note, I love reading these blogs from everyone. One example of technology working FOR the kingdom instead of distracting us from our relationship with God.