Movies/Scenes Representing Being
Doers of the Word
- Legally
Blonde (2001)
- I used excerpt from different areas of this film to show how God has imparted each of us with spiritual gifts. Eph. 4:11. God gives each of special gifts, and he expects us to use them. Elle had gifts she never knew existed until she rose to the challenge of being more than what she was. Her success in the courtroom trial scene underscores the importance of using gifts even if the world denies the gifts exist. (Pam Hall, Hilliard UMC, Florida)
- Pay It Forward (2000)
- This is a great movie about living generously, of the debt we owe to Christ that is to be repaid in service to others. (Dennis Estill)
- Remains of the Day
(1999)
- Mr. Stevens loves Miss Kenton, but he is unable to tell her so because of his commitment to concealing his own feelings in the conduct of his duties. In the household of Lord Darlington, two German maids have been fired because they are Jews. Knowing that they will probably be sent back to Germany, and then to a concentration camp, Miss Kenton vows that she will leave if they are fired. As they are interviewing prospective replacements, she says that she will not leave after all, because she is a coward. Mr. Stevens tries to tell her that he needs her to stay, but is unable to reveal his love for her. Both know what they should do, but neither has the courage to carry through. As a result, all of their lives are impoverished. (FUMC, Natchitoches, LA)
- Snow Falling on Cedars
(1999)
- "A Japanese-American is accused of murder. At the trial his defense attorney tells the jury (this is as paraphrase), "Every so often humanity is called upon to give a report about how far we have progressed from the jungle. Will we repeat the prejudics and hatreds of the past? You will decide." How we Christians live serves as the basis of the report card the world is making in its decision whether following Christ's way of the cross is a real option or is it just talk. (Wayne Evans, First UMC of Arcadia)
- Indiana Jones and the
Last Crusade (1989)
- "...he shoots Indy's dad and then says something like - Now we'll see what you really believe" (submitted by Barry Wolfe)
- Weapons of the
Spirit (1989)
- ".....We, we in this congregation, are called to do what comes naturally (!) for one who has considered the costs and believes, one who has in her back pocket the promies of God as recounted in our Psalm today?.And what comes naturally is moving ahead.(!) The community of LeChambon, France did this. During WWII this protestant peasant French Hugenouts hid, housed, fed, educated and welcomed hundreds of Jews. They set their face firmly toward Jerusalem- with all it's suffering, glory, uncertainly and promise. I believe their story helps illuminate Jesus' greatest hopes and expectations for his disciples.(!) A Jewish man who was a baby when his family was embraced by the people of LeChambon created a documentary film about its story. (We should have a movie time at BPC to watch it). Put a picture of these people in your head. All in their 70s and 80s at the time of filming, there are neatly dressed in well worn vests and simple aprons, walking sticks in hand, rosy faced, vibrant. The filmmaker remarks that hugging one of them is like hugging a tree-these are solid people. Again and again, when asked why they risked their lives for their Jewish brothers and sisters, the peasant farmers respond matter-of-factly with comments like: "Sure, We gave up our bed when there was no choice." "It happened so naturally, we can't understand all the fuss." "The bible says feed the hungry and visit sick. It was the normal thing to do." In an interview with Bill Moyers about LeChambon, the filmmaker remarks, and I am paraphrasing, "These days we seem to think that good people are those who agonize. They " sleep on it"?and maybe in the morning their conscience gets them to do the right thing. No- this idea is wrong. People who agonize don't act. And people who act don't agonize." Their path to discipleship also affirms our Psalm text. Descended from a persecuted people themselves, the French Hugenouts, theirs was a community who took great pains to remember the past. As good Calvinists, they had a very high view of the OT and looked to the prophets to nurture their faith and conduct. Their most oft sung hymn says, "May the spirit that gave [our] ancestors life inspire [our] children to follow their example." They credit their natural giving now with the simple fact that they remember their own story. "There's was not a sentimental faith. Not extraordinary. It was a solid faith that was put to the test and not found wanting." (Anonymous contribution)
- Norma Rae (1972)
- Reuben Warshawsky (Ron Leibman) speaks to a meeting of poor, unorganized mill wporkers in the deep South: "On October 4, 1970, my grandfather, Isaac Abraham Warshowsky, aged eighty-seven, died in his sleep in New York City. On the following Friday morning, his funeral was held. My mother and father attended, my two uncles from Brooklyn attended, my Aunt Minnie came up from Florida. Also present were eight hundred and sixty-two members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers and Cloth, Hat and Cap Makers' Union. Also members of his family. In death as in life, they stood at his side. They had fought battles with him, bound the wounds of battle with him, had earned bread together and had broken it together. When they spoke, they spoke in one voice, and they were heard. They were black, they were white, they were Irish, they were Polish, they were Catholic, they were Jews, they were one. That's what a union is: one ... Ladies and gentlemen, the textile industry, in which you are spending your lives and your substance, and in which your children and their children will spend their lives and their substance, is the only industry in the whole length and breadth of the United States of America that is not unionized. Therefore, they are free to exploit you, to cheat you, to lie to you, and to take away what is rightfully yours -- your health, a decent wage, a fit place to work. I would urge you to stop them by coming down to room 207 at the Golden Cherry Motel, to pick up a union card and to sign it .. It comes from the Bible -- according to the tribes of your fathers, ye shall inherit. It comes from Reuben Warshowsky -- not unless you make it happen." (Quotation is from Numbers 33:54. Submitted by Jeff Massie)
- On the Waterfront
(1954)
- A great Christian theme of social justice in the face of evil. Karl Malden is a clergyman who is moved to action and leads his people. (Vicki)
- It's a
Wonderful Life (1946)
- As George Bailey's views what the world be if he did not exist, it is similar to what the world would look like without good; his brother dies young, their town turns into an evil Potterville etc. George's life being pulled out is like the salt, Christians, being pulled out of the world. (Bob Vallin)
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
- See review by Martyn Smith.
