Sunday, December 23, 2007
I Am Legend, Advent, and Light
"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure." -- John 3:19,20 (from The Message)
(Warning! The following review contains many plot spoilers and is written for either those who have seen I Am Legend or are definitely not planning to see it.)
In the opening scenes, Robert Neville (Will Smith) the hero in I Am Legend is living the rugged, individualistic, American dream -- cruising the deserted streets of New York city in a fast car with his companion at his side and a high powered rifle at the ready. Then, haunting vacant New York facades, banal banter with sightless mannequins, dreams of lost loved ones, and nights of terror, expose the hallow emptiness of existence without community.
Quickly enough, the horrific darkness is pierced revealing others in the city. Stripped of their dignity and seemingly deprived of reason and empathy by a mutated virus, these 'darkseekers' exhibit hyper-aggressive behavior, a severe light allergy, and superhuman strength. Medical and scientific implausibility aside, these hideous vampire like creatures present a counterpoint to Robert's lonely existence with their hive like social network and hierarchy. The community structure, companion loyalty, and even logical planning, all escape Neville's notice as he comments, "Social de-evolution appears to be complete." As he searches for a cure, Robert's desire to differentiate himself from the hairless vestiges of humanity who share his city clouds his otherwise brilliant scientific insight. Ironically, when he finally meets two other immune humans, a young woman named Anna and a quiet child, his own social de-evolution is evident, though not complete.
The cure for the virus is found in Robert's own immunity -- his blood. It is by passing his blood on through two others that a cure is achieved. Finally, Robert lives up to the 'Savior' title given to him on a TIME magazine cover taped to his refrigerator when he gives his life in sacrifice to prevent those who need the cure from destroying it.
The question of God is confronted as He often is in the setting of great tragedy. As a scientist, Neville takes responsibility for the tragic virus exclaiming, "God didn't do this, we did." In the same exchange, Anna tells Robert that it was God's will they should meet. "If we listen, you can hear God's plan," she says." "There is no God!" he shouts. "There is no God!" Then, at the proper time, Robert hears and listens to that quiet voice.
The movie has come under some criticism for resolving the conflict in a deus ex machina type solution in which God appears seemingly out of nowhere in a still, small voice to clean things up. However, God is present in spiritual markers embedded throughout the film. Posters pasted onto vacated buildings read, "God still loves us." Robert's family prays together when they separate. Anna's cross is evident on her rear view mirror when she rescues Robert from the 'night walkers'. And yet, the most spiritually revealing aspect of the film is also the very aspect most likely to offend, the vampire-like subhumans.
In these monstrous creatures, we catch a glimpse of the repulsive, dehumanizing, rage of sin. Their unchecked aggression and primal rage are evidence that they are less than human. Or, are they? Considering our current wars, murders, violence, poverty, illness, and apathy, perhaps we are not so different as we would like to think. From God's perspective we surely must not be. The horror we feel for the creatures in I Am Legend makes their need for a savior evident. Recognizing our own depravity in those same creatures and attempting to view things from a divine perspective makes the incarnation inconceivable.
But, here we are in the season of Advent and the incarnation is precisely what we have been reflecting on and will be celebrating on December 25th. Luke records an old Jewish priest reflecting on the coming of the Messiah in chapter 1:76-79. Through the "kind and compassionate mercy of our God," the old priest says, "a new day is dawning: the Sunrise from the heavens will break through in our darkness, and those who huddle in night, those who sit in the shadow of death, will be able to rise and walk in the light, guided in the pathway of peace" (from The Voice).
If there is a spiritual sage in the movie, it is Bob Marley, the late reggae artist. Robert quotes him as saying, "Light up the darkness." And Marley's "Redemption Song" plays as the credits roll. Redemption certainly comes for the few remaining humans; but, what of those left in outer darkness? Does the poster proclaiming, "God still loves us" apply even to monsters hell-bent on their own destruction? Does God still love even us?
Advent reveals God's unchanging, "Yes!" in a brilliant flash of ever expanding incarnate light.
(Warning! The following review contains many plot spoilers and is written for either those who have seen I Am Legend or are definitely not planning to see it.)
In the opening scenes, Robert Neville (Will Smith) the hero in I Am Legend is living the rugged, individualistic, American dream -- cruising the deserted streets of New York city in a fast car with his companion at his side and a high powered rifle at the ready. Then, haunting vacant New York facades, banal banter with sightless mannequins, dreams of lost loved ones, and nights of terror, expose the hallow emptiness of existence without community.
Quickly enough, the horrific darkness is pierced revealing others in the city. Stripped of their dignity and seemingly deprived of reason and empathy by a mutated virus, these 'darkseekers' exhibit hyper-aggressive behavior, a severe light allergy, and superhuman strength. Medical and scientific implausibility aside, these hideous vampire like creatures present a counterpoint to Robert's lonely existence with their hive like social network and hierarchy. The community structure, companion loyalty, and even logical planning, all escape Neville's notice as he comments, "Social de-evolution appears to be complete." As he searches for a cure, Robert's desire to differentiate himself from the hairless vestiges of humanity who share his city clouds his otherwise brilliant scientific insight. Ironically, when he finally meets two other immune humans, a young woman named Anna and a quiet child, his own social de-evolution is evident, though not complete.
The cure for the virus is found in Robert's own immunity -- his blood. It is by passing his blood on through two others that a cure is achieved. Finally, Robert lives up to the 'Savior' title given to him on a TIME magazine cover taped to his refrigerator when he gives his life in sacrifice to prevent those who need the cure from destroying it.
The question of God is confronted as He often is in the setting of great tragedy. As a scientist, Neville takes responsibility for the tragic virus exclaiming, "God didn't do this, we did." In the same exchange, Anna tells Robert that it was God's will they should meet. "If we listen, you can hear God's plan," she says." "There is no God!" he shouts. "There is no God!" Then, at the proper time, Robert hears and listens to that quiet voice.
The movie has come under some criticism for resolving the conflict in a deus ex machina type solution in which God appears seemingly out of nowhere in a still, small voice to clean things up. However, God is present in spiritual markers embedded throughout the film. Posters pasted onto vacated buildings read, "God still loves us." Robert's family prays together when they separate. Anna's cross is evident on her rear view mirror when she rescues Robert from the 'night walkers'. And yet, the most spiritually revealing aspect of the film is also the very aspect most likely to offend, the vampire-like subhumans.
In these monstrous creatures, we catch a glimpse of the repulsive, dehumanizing, rage of sin. Their unchecked aggression and primal rage are evidence that they are less than human. Or, are they? Considering our current wars, murders, violence, poverty, illness, and apathy, perhaps we are not so different as we would like to think. From God's perspective we surely must not be. The horror we feel for the creatures in I Am Legend makes their need for a savior evident. Recognizing our own depravity in those same creatures and attempting to view things from a divine perspective makes the incarnation inconceivable.
But, here we are in the season of Advent and the incarnation is precisely what we have been reflecting on and will be celebrating on December 25th. Luke records an old Jewish priest reflecting on the coming of the Messiah in chapter 1:76-79. Through the "kind and compassionate mercy of our God," the old priest says, "a new day is dawning: the Sunrise from the heavens will break through in our darkness, and those who huddle in night, those who sit in the shadow of death, will be able to rise and walk in the light, guided in the pathway of peace" (from The Voice).
If there is a spiritual sage in the movie, it is Bob Marley, the late reggae artist. Robert quotes him as saying, "Light up the darkness." And Marley's "Redemption Song" plays as the credits roll. Redemption certainly comes for the few remaining humans; but, what of those left in outer darkness? Does the poster proclaiming, "God still loves us" apply even to monsters hell-bent on their own destruction? Does God still love even us?
Advent reveals God's unchanging, "Yes!" in a brilliant flash of ever expanding incarnate light.
Labels: Advent, Christmas, community, incarnation, Movies, religion
Sunday, December 09, 2007
The Collection, Tithing Controversy, and Christmas Commercialism
The collection is one of Paul's most intriguing projects. Paul walks on eggshells through II Corinthians 8 and 9 as he seeks to inspire the church in Corinth to part with their material goods in order to send them to a group of people in a far off country, who they probably would never meet, and who likely would not have entered their church much less sat down to eat with them. Despite other considerable obstacles including traveling with large sums of money, risking the appearance of mismanaging funds, and the very real possibility that the Christian church in Jerusalem would refuse the tainted though badly needed money, Paul pressed forward with the collection. His reasons for proceeding with this risky and thorny project have implications for our own practice of tithing and our celebration of Christmas
There is an ongoing debate in Christianity over tithe. The Biblical precedent for tithing is circumstantial and nearly exclusively based on the Old Testament. Within Adventism, the debate is not generally over whether or not to tithe, but how and where our tithe money should be used. Those of us who have a more congregational bent would like to see the majority of our tithe kept in our own church for local mission. On the other hand, combining our collective 10 percent with the money from other churches in our area provides financial support for smaller churches, schools, camps, and other ministries, thus effectively expanding our local mission to a larger area. In addition, some of the money then goes up to higher levels of the organization, eventually supporting the international church. Although Paul's collection does not exactly correspond to our practice of tithing, the principle of giving to expand our limited world view and to unite a growing, diverse, global community applies well in both cases.
Always a hot topic around the holidays, Christmas commercialism is gaining in both attention and condemnation this year. Many of the comments in a recent article in the religion section of The Birmingham News suggest the answer is to simply stop giving gifts at Christmas. This may work well for some families. However, there are many who find meaning in the giving of gifts and to deny them this pleasure would only serve to diminish their holiday cheer. For Paul, the collection was never about the money. Instead, it was about the motives inspiring the gift and the relationships revealed and formed in the giving and receiving. If this perspective is carried into our Christmas giving this year, perhaps we can continue our holiday traditions with our humanity intact.
In II Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes that every thought should be taken captive in Christ. Rather than reading this as just another example of Christian elitism, expecting everyone to become like us and accept our point of view, could we live this text out in our experience of the Holiday Season and with intentional thought and Christlike humility seek to bless our family, friends, and the rest of the least of these? The God who became man and moved into the neighborhood has shown us how to be a good giver. This Christmas will you consider with me the way our giving expands our world view, enhances relationships, and helps us become a part of the Kingdom of God?
Here are a few links to websites that may stimulate ideas to enhance our giving this year. If you've got some other ideas, post them below in a comment. Thanks!
Fair trade?
http://tradeasone.com/
Tree hugger?
http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/
Want a guide for what's good?
http://www.unclemark.org/unclemark2008.pdf
Pass on the gift?
http://www.heifer.org/
Really useful gift?
http://www.adra.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cat07_Ecommerce_home
There is an ongoing debate in Christianity over tithe. The Biblical precedent for tithing is circumstantial and nearly exclusively based on the Old Testament. Within Adventism, the debate is not generally over whether or not to tithe, but how and where our tithe money should be used. Those of us who have a more congregational bent would like to see the majority of our tithe kept in our own church for local mission. On the other hand, combining our collective 10 percent with the money from other churches in our area provides financial support for smaller churches, schools, camps, and other ministries, thus effectively expanding our local mission to a larger area. In addition, some of the money then goes up to higher levels of the organization, eventually supporting the international church. Although Paul's collection does not exactly correspond to our practice of tithing, the principle of giving to expand our limited world view and to unite a growing, diverse, global community applies well in both cases.
Always a hot topic around the holidays, Christmas commercialism is gaining in both attention and condemnation this year. Many of the comments in a recent article in the religion section of The Birmingham News suggest the answer is to simply stop giving gifts at Christmas. This may work well for some families. However, there are many who find meaning in the giving of gifts and to deny them this pleasure would only serve to diminish their holiday cheer. For Paul, the collection was never about the money. Instead, it was about the motives inspiring the gift and the relationships revealed and formed in the giving and receiving. If this perspective is carried into our Christmas giving this year, perhaps we can continue our holiday traditions with our humanity intact.
In II Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes that every thought should be taken captive in Christ. Rather than reading this as just another example of Christian elitism, expecting everyone to become like us and accept our point of view, could we live this text out in our experience of the Holiday Season and with intentional thought and Christlike humility seek to bless our family, friends, and the rest of the least of these? The God who became man and moved into the neighborhood has shown us how to be a good giver. This Christmas will you consider with me the way our giving expands our world view, enhances relationships, and helps us become a part of the Kingdom of God?
Here are a few links to websites that may stimulate ideas to enhance our giving this year. If you've got some other ideas, post them below in a comment. Thanks!
Fair trade?
http://tradeasone.com/
Tree hugger?
http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/
Want a guide for what's good?
http://www.unclemark.org/unclemark2008.pdf
Pass on the gift?
http://www.heifer.org/
Really useful gift?
http://www.adra.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cat07_Ecommerce_home
Labels: Adventist, Christmas, Corinthians, giving, Jesus, religion, tithe
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