Faith in Film, Week 10


On Wednesday we wrap up our look at "The Stand," and our look at Stephen King with The Last Word on Heaven. Heaven is something that we yearn for and hope for, but it's also something that we get wildly divergent opinions about. That is especially true in Popular Culture.

Belinda Carlisle once mused that Heaven is a place on earth. The band Creed, who were mostly Catholic, sang about Heaven in the song "Higher," talking about it as a place with Golden Streets. On NBC, the comedy "The Good Place" has given us images of Heaven and its counter-part. Most of it is used for comedic purposes.

In "Field of Dreams," some wondered if Heaven was located in Iowa. In the Robin Williams film "What Dreams May Come" it was a beautiful, if surreal dreamscape. And in "The Invention of Lying," Ricky Gervais painted the hope for Heaven as something like the best place you could imagine, a paradise where you can be your best self.

Even Christian culture has considered Heaven. Todd Burpo, a Christian pastor, once wrote a book about his son's experience of Heaven during a near-death experience. Called "Heaven is For Real," it has drawn some mixed opinions. But it remains overwhelmingly hopeful if nothing else.

"The Stand" is an apocalyptic tale, but it really isn't interested in Heaven. It is about a showdown between good and evil, but it ends with people re-building society. And, in book form, without evil even really being defeated. That makes it a curious kind of tale for one that sinks its teeth into such profoundly religious material.

And yet, we know from Revelation, that something better awaits us. "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

That's the hope we'll talk about Wednesday night.

Discussion Questions:
1.  What do you think of when you think of Heaven?
2. The Stand is an apocalyptic tale, but it doesn’t mirror Scripture. While good and evil face off, it isn’t a final battle. What do you think of the ending of this story?
3. How does the picture of the end times in Revelation differ from The Stand? Why is the Revelation version more hopeful?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more