Don't worry, no spoilers in this section.
The Book of Eli is one of the finer movies I have seen in some time, and I would highly recommend it. There are two things I think it illustrates well, and while I am be no means the film critic of the level of some of my readers, I will attempt to express them below the fold.
Spoilers below!
Ok, so if you're here you've either seen the movie or don't mind getting it spoiled.
Here's the one-line synopsis:
Lone gunman and expert fighter preserves the last Bible while crossing the post-apocalyptic continent, and dies only after delivering it, via memory, to the first new printing press on Alcatraz, and oh he's been blind they whole time and we didn't know until now.
I cheated, that's more then one line.
The two points I found highly salient, from a theological perspective, were as follows:
- The power of faith cannot be underestimated. Eli is driven on his mission and enabled supernaturally because he believes that only through the Bible's message can civilization be restored. The villain seeks the Bible so he can manipulate people by claiming its authority for his own means. Regardless of how you cut it, God's word is powerful and decisive: it has an effect.
- God's word will always be preserved. Those of you who enjoyed Dr. Watson's class on the origin of the Bible have already studied exactly what I mean. Throughout history the Bible has been preserved, miraculously, and passed on without corruption for millenniums. This movie is a story of how God will continue to preserve his word. Through the mind and heart of one man He has chosen, the Scriptures are passed on. I think it would be a great movie for Dr. Watson to show in the class.
Anyway, I must be to bed. I would love to hear your thoughts, dear reader, on this movie, both its message, approach, and filmography.
Sharon and I are excited to announce to anyone who hasn't heard yet: we have a confirmed offer accepted on a house here in Milwaukee!
Our closing date is March 19th, and we hope to move that weekend if possible.
Hurrah!
Today I received this message from a coworker via inter-company IM:
(10:24:25 AM) Jared Wheeler*: I just realized, only two out of the eleven emails I have from you aren't about food.
(10:24:43 AM) Jared Wheeler*: I just found it amusing.
Perhaps I should be more guarded lest my plans be discovered...
*Naturally, I'm not giving the coworker's name. Instead, I am blaming Jared.
It appears that all subversive groups are now required to register in South Carolina.
"Every member of a subversive organization... who advocates, teaches, advises or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States ... shall register with the Secretary of State."
Interested in seeing the sights of the world? Don't have the cash to travel internationally? Google Streetview is the solution. Avoid the smells and airsickness, all while enjoying the views and avoiding the traffic!
See the magnificent Eiffel Tower!
Marvel at the seat of efficient politics in Washington DC.
View the fantastic architecture of the Sydney Opera House.
Stop by Britain to see the punctual Big Ben, or the oldest computer, Stonehenge.
Are there any significant and iconic images in Japan or southern China? I can't get close enough to Mount Fuji, and I don't know what to look for in China.
Sharon and I are avidly house-hunting, with varying degrees of success.
I'll post again soon on that, for now I shall leave you with this interesting article link.
Jurisprudence Fetishest gets off on Technicality
If you got here by clicking on the Continue Reading link, you are not Scholl.
If you got here by clicking on the article link, you have Schollish tendencies.