Movies/Scenes Representing
Righteousness
- Changing
Lanes (2002)
- Both men face the struggle to recognize what is right and what is wrong, to care about the difference, and to choose to do the right thing.
- Chocolat (2000)
- The small French town has been kept "clean" by the Comte de Reynaud and his family ever since the first Comte ran off the Huguenots. He controls everything, even writing the young priest's sermons. He is meticulous, especially in observing Lent. But Vianne and her daughter comes to town and opens (during Lent!) a Chocolate shop, which magically feeds the needs of those who eat it. The Comte knows she must be stopped. Before long, some "River Rats" (including Roux, who romances Vianne) also come along. There is a battle between these "clean" forces and the "unclean." Although before long it becomes obvious that those who are "unclean" are living out a life a goodness. (Darrel Manson, Artesia, CA)
- 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)
- Titanic (1997)
- In the THE TITANIC penniless Jack is invited to dinner by debutante Rose. He has no white tie and tails to wear to the formal occasion, but a friend of Rose dresses him in her son's formal attire-- which are just his size. If he chose to not wear them he would be ejected from the dinner, much like the wedding guest in Matt. 22 who refused to wear the appropriate wedding robe at the banquet. Those who say they want to live in the kingdom of God decide every day whether to use the means of grace Christ offers. As Isaiah 61:10 "he (God) has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness..." ( Wayne Evans)
- 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)
- 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)
