The Book Of Eli: When Movies Should Be Sermons
Mar 15
If you have not seen the movie, this will not be a spoiler. This is just a perspective that I would like to share about a movie that has moved me in light of the message of Jesus.
The Book of Eli is about a man name Eli who is traveling to take a very important book somewhere West. Often times he has to kill to protect it. Other times he ignores gross atrocities so that he can continue on his mission. He understands its power because he was around before things went south and he quickly realizes that there are others that will kill for its power.
There are two lines that stood out to me the most. The first was from the antagonist who says “if I read it to them from the book then they will follow it” the other was from the protagonist (Eli) who says “I have been reading the book for so long that I have forgot to do what it says”. And these two is where I want to make my point.
The two together paints a very sad picture of our world and especially that for those who name Christ. Historically we do not have a good rep and rightly so. It is because the Christianity of the bible has been so grossly misconstrued yet so heinously protected that what was a movement by individuals that had been touched by the powerlessness of the cross, has become a multi-billion dollar industry that has all the right language but almost none of the right movement.
Christianity not shortly after its inauguration fell quickly in the hand of those who would use it conquer the world. And the problem is that many of its self-appointed leaders sat around and allowed such a thing to occur. They not only allowed it, they endorsed it and for this Christianity has never been the same. The problem with saying this is that this gross misrepresentation has been the norm for so long that to talk about Christianity in its purest form makes you look like an idiot, a ding bat, or the most often used word a “heretic”.
You see much like the antagonist in the movie, the “book” has been used to do just as much harm as good. We have to look no further than Imperialism, Medieval Kingdom of Heaven theology, the Thirty Year War, Slavery, Manifest Destiny, Jim Crow to name a few.
Eli says “many believe it was the cause of the war”. How sad is that? And I almost do not doubt it. We have had the book so long it has been used to defend so many atrocities that we have forgot the powerlessness of the cross, yet the unequivocal power in such an instrument of death.
But not only that, we see today that we have spent so much time trying to learn what it says, dissect it is every stroke, to defend its reliability that we have forgotten how to actually do what it says. The simple fact is this “love the Lord your God” and “love your neighbor as yourself”. We have no problem loving God but we have a problem loving others. The fact that we in America can bury our heads in the sand while fighter jets drop bombs on buildings that destroy innocent human life but go to church and pray that we “win the war” is beyond me. I can’t comprehend collateral damage. I can’t understand how we remotely can believe that Jesus Christ is for our war and again we use the bible to defend our point. As if God cares more about our children versus Iraqi children. The fact that we can pray for an end to abortion though as we speak buildings are crumbling on pregnant women is beyond me. The fact that we can have compassion for Haiti and its destruction yet we can applaud the destruction that our tax financed military is causing is beyond me. The fact that we can rest because we have peace and security yet a woman and a man who just so happens to be in the same building that insurgents have occupied , can’t give their children any such security is beyond me.
And so, we pray for America to destroy her adversaries, yet we are a religion of peace (or at least our founder was) become a paradox that I can’t understand. So as I set in my car after watching the movie tears falling from my face, I wondered how much I really believe in action from the very book I carry around and read more than anything else. This post may sound like I am pointing the finger but I am not. I really wondered at that point, do I trust the words I read or have I become so deadened by over exposure, so many sermons, so many books about it, so much time studying it with others that I have actually forgot the most important words in it? “Love you neighbor as yourself”. And frankly I don’t know any more. And that concerns me. I have made so many arguments about things that really make no difference that the simplicity of Christianity is all but slipped from my numb hands.
I would often think that the atheist and those who would label themselves “spiritual” were clueless, yet they posses an insight a clarity that eludes me because I have come so accustomed by it. They ask the right questions. Often times they really don’t hae a problem with Jesus as Ghandi once said. It is funny that he looked more like a Christian than many others I know and even myself.
Here is the Christian faith. Die to yourself for the good of others. This is what Jesus meant by picking up your cross. This did not mean erect aesthetic buildings, this did not mean have bible studies that says how bad others are doing, this did not mean get a selective group that agreed with you, for some reason, Jesus was always caring, loving and serving, even in his rebuke of others it was done out of love, because they had missed the very thing they were so diligently protecting. They missed Jesus.
In the Book of Eli, Eli forgot how to love and care for others because he forgot to obey what the words say. I can identify with Eli, and I hope from this day forward that I won’t forget anymore. That I would regain compassion for those who have been overlooked, that I would give to those who can’t help themselves for whatever reason and that I would not be deadened by this world’s attempt to numb me to those around me. Jesus lived His life so that by His death others may have life, that life to us is a gift to be used to give life to others regardless of what it costs us.
Excellent insights. I haven’t seen the movie and I doubt many others will see the connection. It will more than likely be written off as propagangda. And that, my brother, is the sad part! Truth written off as propaganda and propaganda accepted as truth. And it happens everyday in America. I too want to live what I claim to know. Let us pray for one another!
LD,
Thanks man, please be praying for me, it has been a struggle my friend.
Thanks for the post brother. I saw the movie a number of weeks ago with my teenaged sons and was moved in a similar way. I just haven’t taken the time to post anything. I glad you did. The film definitely made for some good conversation between me and my boys.
Brother Irwyn,
I can’t wait for more of my friends to see it so we can engage about it.
Told ya that you’d like the movie, Bruh (lol)
But seriously, its always a trip when seeing the reactions of those who see the movie….as I literally did not get up out of my seat for about 20 minutes at the end of it because I was so stunned….and processing just how much we value the “Book”.
And on many of the excellent insights you bring up, the other side that I was glad to see was the reality that the Book/Scriptures are truly powerful—–and though they may be a gift from God, they can also be a curse…..but more so a curse when considering the main danger that can be found in the intentions of one’s heart.
For if doing so with a heart born out of wanting more knowledge for it’s own sake or to be superior, you’ll corrupt that which is good—–just as has been the case throughout the course of history when the scriptures were meant for one thing and yet people, due to their motives/level of darkness, corrupted it. It’s still amazing to me to see how the same Bible that discusses slavery (As the Hebrews did own slaves) was taken to justify every act of cruelty done in the New World/Americas during their time of slavery—-as the Bible never supported the version of slavery they were for and claimed was “Biblical” (i.e. no chance for gaining freedom, not treating servants with respect and fairness as one would want themselves to be treated, KIDNAPPING/Destroying of families when selling slaves off, etc). And yet, when another with pure motives/right understanding got a hold of the Bible, they saw slavery in a differing light and used the scriptures to speak for the ABOLITIONIST movement to end it.
For many, regardless of the issue, their motives corrupted how the text was to be seen………….just as has happened multiple times before.
For in the movie, it was amazing seeing the differing dynamics of how one side wanted to use the Scriptures/TORAH for blessing others…and another, seeing the power of it to control/manipulate others, wanted to use it for evil ends. Eli and Carnegie want the Scriptures for very different reasons. Carnegie recognizes that the Bible can influence people’s hearts and minds—a “weapon” to bend people’s wills to his own. But Eli believes he is on a mission from God, following the instructions of the “still small voice” within to protect the holy book at all costs and save his devastated world with the divine wisdom it contains….and these differences in philosophy lead to conflict. Indeed, the Word of God/His Torah is a weapon and can be used for either good or evil—–just as it was in the days of Israel when perverting God’s Torah/giving a bad witness to the nations of what God/Torah were about ( 1 Samuel 8:2-4 / 1 Samuel 8 /Jeremiah 3:20-22 /Habakkuk 1:3-5 / Habakkuk 1 /2 Kings 17:4 )….and just as it was in the days of Christ when the leaders/pharisees took the Torah and perverted it into legalism that killed others because LOVE was not present in them ( Mark 7:10-12/ Mark 7/Matthew 12:11-13 / Matthew 12 /Luke 6:8-10 Luke 6 /Luke 13:15-17 Luke 13 )–with Love being the entire basis/fufillment of the Law. The same thing can be seen clearly when it came to the analogy Christ came in his teaching of the Good Samaritan—for when it comes to the Good Samaratin in Luke 10:29-36,/the issue of responsibility, its interesting that each of the kats who left the man on the road had something “legitmate” they needed to handle—like making it on time to the temple or going to fufill their duties as a Priest and a Levite keeping “Torah”. And if they made it to their fellowship/gig in time to do their “responsibility”, cool—–but in the process, other responsibilities were circumvented in the process that may have been greater issues to the Lord… Matters of loving the weighter matters of law like Justice/Mercy and walking humbly rather than just following the outline.
As Jesus said in Luke 11:33-35 / Luke 11, “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.”Six Woes
37When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.
39Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41But give what is inside the dish [j] to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
42″Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
Personally, I thought the film was the best out so far this year……….and truly one of the greatest tools in witnessing/engaging conversation.
Did you or anyone else notice how it seems that abuse of the scriptures led to people’s disregard for them after the war—-and thus, further destruction in the world with all things being a “No Man’s Land”? That was one of the most sobering things, IMHO, to consider—-for so often, how often has so much condemnation been given of things in the world like war, abortion, homosexual relationships and other things many label as “counter to scripture/not caring for it”….yet they may never realize that due to the abuse of it by BELIEVERS, those actions we see are the DIRECT cause. Truly, we are the SALT of the WORLD…….and when we mess it up, how can we sit back blaming the world for living in it?
Good article, L….
nice piece to read
Why, thank you Ms. Green.
ya sister is about to wake up everyone in the crib from yelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amen brother!!! I will be praying for you. I know the struggle. I am so thankful to the Lord for being so merciful and gracious towards you to show you all of this. He is so faithful isnt He!? I didnt want to see the movie at first. You have changed my mine. Thanks for such a faith provoking post brother. This encourages yet excites me. Because of what Christ accomplished on the cross for us there is HOPE in that we can love our brothers better than ourselves. There is nothing in me that would make me want to do such a thing. The very faith we all have comes from the Lord himself. WE are so dependent upon Him. Continue to preach/blog that gosple/grace filled words. We need it!!!!
Nicole,
Thanks so much for your words, believe it or not they are very encouraging. I just hope that our lives can be as impactful as your family. “Rebuild The City” sis.
Lionel,
Great analysis! Now I need to rewatch The Book of Eli.
Yep. The use of the Book has had a checkered past, for sure. Right now, I’ve been doing some reading in church history. I know what you speak of. I’m getting angry all over again.
Once again, a great analysis.
Thanks TC
Well said, brother! I am actually leading a discussion series with my church based on several themes in the Book of Eli. The topic that we’re covering this week is “Defending the Bible vs. Living By It.” Last week, I showed the group a video clip of a scene in which Solara wants to get a look at Eli’s Bible, but Eli drives her away and pointedly cocks his shotgun as if to tell her – “try to get near this book again and you’ll regret it.” I then asked the group if we can ever be like Eli in our zeal to defend the Bible and what barriers (literal or metaphorical) we erect that keep others away from Jesus.
I found your blog post while I was doing research for this week’s discussion, and I’d like to print it out and read a few paragraphs to the group tonight, as I think it goes right to the heart of the matter. I hope you won’t mind – I’ll include your URL and blog name and give you credit for the post. I think you’ve got a great perspective on this topic!
Michael,
No need to give credit to anything. Everything on here is free to to do what you please. My editing is usually horrible so you can edit it anyway you please, you can take parts and delete them, rearrange to get better flow, or a few sentences. I am glad to see you wrestling with the ideas I present thats enough credit for me
It is funny that she said “teach me”. What is even better is that his witness when she was going to sleep with him for her mother’s safety was outstanding. He had no plans to use her or his influence to get his way.
Rethinking the “Book of Eli” movie, it just occurred to me how often drama can happen in the name of Christ—with others rejecting the error rightfully so but in the process losing sight of Christ all together since they equated Jesus with the error promoted….as Jesus’s name was used as the TagLine. Happens all the time throughout church history when a civilization may go through dark times.
In example, its interesting to consider that the first Slave Ship was named “Jesus. And for more information……
One can also go to “The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques & discoveries of the English” By Richard Hakluyt
and with slave ships in general, its always a radical/wild discussion. As said best elsewhere:
Concerning the issue of liberation, Christ came for that rather than captivity.
And as another said best:
On the issue, many would equate Christianity to the support of the Slave Trade—and they’d do just as those in Eli’s Time did with blaming the Bible for the end of society…
For more information
Black People | African Americans | Destee : Black Spirituality Religion: First Black Ship was named Jesus”