Wednesday, June 08, 2005
redemption is all around us
The movies I’m watching seem to be stuck on facing the past. They’re all asking the same theological question – can a past, can my past, be redeemed?
The Interpreter – how will Sylvia respond to the present pain of her country? Can she be redeemed from her experiences of ethnic cleansing?
Whale Rider – as Paikea asks her grandfather about her past. Can she take those ropes that define leadership as masculine, and redeem them, so that her village can face its future with courage and hope?
In my Fathers Den – as Paul Prior faces the pain of his past and secrets of his father’s den. Can he move on from unresolved guilt and shame? Can he find a space to mourn and grieve?
Our culture is busy discussing redemption. What gospel resources can we offer into the bitterness of ethnic cleansing, post-colonialism and incest? So I’m also re-reading Exclusion and Embrace by Miroslav Volf and The Faces of Forgiveness by LeRon Shults and Steven Sandage.
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That’s funny. I just watched “phonebooth” last night, and it had a similar theme: will I be forgiven and healed if I disclose the ugly truth about myself and my past deeds?
Thankfully, my life has a similar theme, but the question is not left unanswered. The answer is a giant, revolving neon “YES!!”
Comment by Paula — June 9, 2005 @ 1:16 am
Steve, my wife and I saw the interpreter a few weeks ago and it broke our hearts. I guess that is what redemption does, it breaks your heart because of it’s beauty.
Comment by Kyle — June 9, 2005 @ 3:34 am
It appeared to me that the biggest problem in Star Wars Episode III was that there was no hope of redemption for Darth Vader.
In the Matrix redemption was really reincarnation, or recycling, not redemption at all. There was “no exit”.
I’m looking forward to the Narnia series, gotta love that trailer 😉
Comment by Paul — June 9, 2005 @ 3:24 pm
I think that The Hurricane offered some brilliant insight into how a man can move beyond injustice in his life and realize that only in receiving aid from someone who mirrors his oppressor (white people) is he able to be free in any sense.
Also, I HIGHLY recomend The Machinist with Christian Bale (in video stores now) This movie devoured me and I wanted to move forward after seeing it. You’ll see.
Comment by Kelly Laxson — June 16, 2005 @ 2:26 am