Theological Lines in Five Secular Movies
God reveals truth and deception in different ways as long as we look to better understand Him. With this in mind, I listen to secular songs, read secular books, and watch secular films, looking for God. The following five films include lines that gave me pause for theological reflection.
1) FORREST GUMP (1994)
Lieutenant Dan: "Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?"
Forrest Gump: "I didn't know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir."
Forrest Gump did not know that he was supposed to be looking for Jesus Christ. That comical line resonated with me in regarding the American mindset we have in modern society toward our lack of need for a savior. The letters and public addresses given by the forefathers of the United States, up to and including Abraham Lincoln, show that repentance, forgiveness, and righteous living were to be prayed for and studied in order to guide mankind toward the will of the Lord. Unfortunately, nowadays God is presented as a distant bystander hoping that we guess right in order to be in His will.
Paul instructs his readers to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NASB). Before you commit to living out your entire life with your eyes closed, hands folded, and running out of things to discuss with God, I suggest that a more accurate understanding of his words would be, "Do not cease praying." However, these three powerful words mean more than just don't stop praying. In the context of his letter, Paul is adding this to his list of instructions regarding daily Christian conduct.
To live in a state of prayer means to be in constant communion with God. God promised the Israelites that they would find Him if they sincerely searched for Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). The application applies to the rest of us, Gentiles, as well (Acts 15:16-18). Believers are the bride of Christ. Should we not be seeking out His will and making ourselves ready for His return? Should we not pursue Him as Ruth pursued Boaz, with hope and intentionality (Ruth)?
2) EVAN ALMIGHTY (2007)
Evan Baxter: "You have to understand that this whole, building an ark thing, is really not a part of my plans here. I need to settle into my house. I need to make a good impression at work."
God: "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Your plans!?! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
I wonder how many times God has laughed at my prayers for the very same reason. God promises that He will meet our needs in their proper season, as long as we let nothing come before Him. Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33, NKJV). We have no room to debate how much of our will we get. We either seek His will 100% or we are in rebellion.
3) FULL METAL JACKET (1987)
Gunnery Sergeant Hartman: "We [Marines] kill everything we see. He [God] plays His games. We play ours. To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls."
As a former Marine, I really appreciate the reality of Marine Corps boot camp demonstrated in Full Metal Jacket. "[God] plays His games" is a phrase that I picked up from this classic film decades ago and has really stuck with me in regards to how we are often taught to view God. I grew up in a charismatic church that offered God's miracles at a price; not a financial price, but an intellectual price. The teaching was along the lines of, "God wants to bless you, but is waiting on you to... increase your faith... give Him control of your weight problem... pray and fast more..." These teachings had me hopping from one foot to the next spiritually as a pre-teen. Head spinning, I hoped that if I got the formula right, then God would be proud of me and could finally use me as a missionary or something. This is ridiculous doctrine that keeps some congregants seeking the Lord out of fear of what they might miss out on if they do not follow the speaker's formula and drives others away. I played that game out of fear for awhile, but it eventually drove me away.
God does not play games. The Bible teaches that He shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Job 34:19, Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25). There are three Proverbs that say that partiality is not good (18:5, 24:23, 28:21). Anything that is not good cannot be of God. Therefore, God will not make believers figure out what game He is playing before handing out rewards or punishments. A disciple's merit is solely based on His effort. That's right - his effort! God's honor is not earned no matter how many demons you cast out or how many children can be talked into repeating a prayer of salvation.
Have you heard the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions?" This is a falsehood. The quote is credited to St. Bernard of Clairvaux. However, the original words have been twisted into this saying. Properly translated, Bernard wrote, "Hell is full of good wishes or desires" not unlike "Spare the rod, spoil the child" came from "He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently" (Prov. 13:24, NASB) or how the phrase "Separation of Church and State" written in 1802 to reassure Baptists that the federal government would not interfere with the free exercise of their religious practices has been interpreted to mean just the opposite by today's courts.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8, NASB). Many other verses support that God judges the heart. It is true that a good tree bears good fruit (Matthew 7:17), but it is the tree (or vine) that is either grafted into the kingdom of God or cut down and destroyed (Romans 11, Matthew 3:10). Christians are rewarded for their good deeds in Christ name, but are not kept out of hell for doing them. Salvation alone comes from God when we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that God is Lord and Jesus is the Christ.
4) DOGMA (1999)
Bartleby: "The humans have besmirched everything bestowed on them. They were given Paradise, they threw it away. They were given this planet, they destroyed it. They were favored best among all His endeavors, and some of them don't even believe He exists!"
Two fallen angels, one of whom is told, "You know for a fact that there is a God. You've been in His presence. He's spoken to you personally" are indignant at the human response to a God who is obvious to the angels. I confess, these are the feelings that I have toward my brothers and sisters who will perish under the guilt of their own rebellion. There is a knowable creator whose presence is evident by the existence of the universe. We also find that our own virtuous characteristics match the Bible's description of His character, of His holy Spirit. Paul writes about those who refuse to believe in God, "Because that which is known about God is evident within them [mankind]; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they [mankind] are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:19-21, NASB).
We have no excuse for not seeking God. It is not something only for new believers. Seeking God is a life-long process for those who truly love Him, as a bride eagerly awaits her wedding day.
5) THE AVENGERS (2012)
Natasha Romanoff: "These guys [Loki and Thor] come from legend. They're basically gods."
Captain America: "There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that."
The Avengers became the third-highest-grossing film during its theatrical run. How refreshing to have a lead character in this secular movie confidently state his belief in the one true God. What a timely touch of reality in the midst of so much energized fantasy. When was the last time you stood up for God?
30 June 2017
