Considering Heroes and a Savior

Super Hero movies are all the rage these days. I enjoy many of them. They are often about things our culture struggles with: technology, government etc. They often portray a world in which there is good and evil, and in which good ultimately prevails. Many of the Marvel heroes share in our foibles and weaknesses. They are not perfect. In a sense they give us a measure of hope that people can solve the crises before us.

But, I think, there is a potentially dark side to this “hero worship.” Or should I call it “hero longing”? The problem is not the heroes themselves, but the limitations of the heroes which, in part, creates their appeal to us.

Heroes deal with external evil. They rescue people from the tyranny and destruction of an evil being. They recognize that evil is “out there”. They are capable of dealing with evil out there.  And the evil “out there” needs to be dealt with. We do need someone to rescue us from evil people and evil structures.

This is one reason why so many rely on government- to rescue them from evil out there. Governments should be just, and punish evil doers (Romans 13). But it is what neither a hero nor a government can do that is just as important. Dealing with the evil within.

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Considering the Finish Line

The last 2 letters of Rev. William Bull were written near the end of John Newton’s life.  The first just before his 76th birthday, and the second just after his 78th birthday.

Rev. Newton enjoyed fairly good health, though his eyesight was nearly gone which is why he wrote so infrequently at this point in his life.  But he still maintained a public ministry.  His statements to his younger colleague are quite appropriate for all who approach the finish line of life.

“But pray that I may be enabled to leave the time and manner of my dismission entirely in the Lord’s hands; that if he sees fit to summon me suddenly, that I may be willing to go without delay; and that if he is please to lay me aside, I may be as willing to retire and wait his time.”

He wanted to submit to the Father’s will, regardless of what it was.  He did not want to retire, but remain useful.  However, he recognized that he may have to retire and wait, with joy, for his summons home.  But his is also concerned with how he spends those days.

“Pray likewise for me that no gross imprudence or misconduct may stain the latter part of my life, but that I may be enabled to exemplify in myself what I have labored to inculcate upon others from the pulpit.”

He wanted to “finish well”.  His desire was to continue to live consistently with his faith rather than stumble and fall as one spiritually enfeebled.  He had seen others not finish well, and did not dare assume he would apart from grace.

“I have known good men in advanced life garrulous, peevish, dogmatic, self-important, with some symptoms of jealousy, and perhaps envy, towards those who are upon the increase while they feel themselves decreasing.”

He repeats this theme 2 years later.

“I wish to say from my heart, Lord, grant that the short uncertain remnant of my time may not discredit my profession, by pride or any evil tempers…”

I have heard of many who did not finish well.  They grew lax and fell into sin.  It is not a sin only of the aged, but for Christians of all ages.  But there is a particular danger to laxity when a fleshly motive, one’s career, is removed.

“I am sure that He does all things well, and that his choice for us will eventually be better than anything we can choose for ourselves.”

Here is the eye of faith, resting in God’s character and providence.  Sometimes we can rage because we encounter an unpleasant providence.  Note the word ‘eventually’ (or e-vent-u-al-ly as Manuel used to enunciate in Fawlty Towers).  Time will reveal that his choice was ultimately better than what we would have planned for ourselves.

In keeping with this idea- here is Steve Taylor’s song Finish Line from the Cornerstone Festival in 1994..

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Blue Like Jazz Movie Delayed

I predict ...

Lack of funding.  They need another $2.8 million to complete the project.

It’s actually a funny interview– what with Steve Taylor and Donald Miller involved.  The target audience of the movie doesn’t have the money to invest.  And those who do have the money have never heard of the book.

I like this part:

Both men say they won’t invest any of their own money into the project.

“Writers don’t make much money anyway,” laughs Miller. “Like Obama says, it’s above my pay grade.”

Angst Personified

Taylor took out a sizeable loan against his home to help make The Second Chance a few years ago, and says he’ll never do it again.

“I should have called that move The Second Mortgage,” he says. “I made a deal with my wife back then that we’d only use that strategy once.”

Miller and Taylor both say they’re sure the film will get made.

“I’m convinced it’s going to happen,” says Miller.

Asked if there was any chance the project will die, Taylor quipped, “Not unless I die first.” But when pressed for a timetable, he added, “Are you pre- or post-millennial?”

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Considering the Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”  With nothing to lose but a morning in which I had no plans, I decided to give it the ol’ college try.  This time we went to the right theater and saw yesterday’s intended film- The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.

Before I get to the movie, I have a few considerations.  This theater did not have stadium seating.  This made it a bit difficult for CavGirl to see over the seat in front of her.  I later noticed some people had booster seats.  I suppose that also would have helped the seat to stay down.  When you are only 30 lbs, and all of that is at the back of the seat … you will have issues.  This go around, there were far more younger children and babies.  This meant it was noisier, and there were more distractions as well since CavGirl loves to watch babies.  I had to answer the same 2 questions about pacifiers about a dozen times.

From CavGirl’s perspective, this movie was too scary.  She really didn’t like the villain, seen here.  That did prompt a few moments of “Dad-time” as she sat in my lap and hid her face in my chest, blanket covering her face.

It was not a fun as most Veggie Tale shows, and even Jonah.  She asked if we could leave about 3-4 times.  We didn’t.

The story was like the biblical story of Esther in that God was not explicitly mentioned, but worked behind the scenes to accomplish the deliverance of the prince and princess (unless the father, the good King with the evil usurper-wanna-be brother, is the metaphor for God).  I explained to her that life has moments when we are very afraid, but that is when we need to be brave until God saves us.  God will always save us, but sometimes life gets scary.  In the movie they also talked about tests, which reveal what is most important to us.

So, this wasn’t Big Idea’s best effort.  It was, as usual, mostly moralistic.  It was mildly enjoyable for me, and too scary for her.  At least there were no farting & pooping chipmunks, or barely clad dancers.  So, it had that going for it.  In terms of influences:

1. There was a tip o’ the hat to O, Brother, Where Art Thou? with the blind prophet speaking to 3 friends about to embark on a voyage in which one of them will regain his family’s respect.  This, of course, is one of my favorite movies.
2. The song and dance at the pirate tavern was quite reminiscent of the Camelot scene in Holy Grail.  Yes, another of my favorite movies, and an old standby for Veggie Tales.
3. The evil pirate was a pea who had a mechanical body, reminding me of Darth Vader.
4. The scene when the King gives them medals was a tip to Star Wars: A New Hope.  They just lacked a howling Wookie.  Yes, another one of my favorite movies.
5. The B-52s, whose cult-fav Rock Lobster was redone as Rock Monster.
6. Steve Taylor who appeared with the Newsboys for a song (I think that was the song).  I recognized his lyrical style and thought the voice sounded familiar.  He’s listed as a composer and performer on the soundtrack CD, but I’m not 100% certain of the song.

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