A good part of me thinks, that God should ‘come down and move into the neighbourhood’ is so outrageously daring, so preposterous to those whose rational learning deems it inconceivable, so extra-ordinary, so super-natural, it can only speak of a God whose ways are, at times, mind-expanding. Christ is, in every possible way, the only hope of this dark, dumb, damaged world.
Thoughtful discussion of how Americans have redefined God and faith with us at the center. God is our servant, and faith brings out the better us.
We have remade God so thoroughly in our own image, that He must fail to meet the promises, and is just another of the many available idols.
The idea was not still good, the idea was and is American pragmatism. It is fully incompatible with the message of a crucified savior, whereby we ourselves are our own worst enemy.
I first saw parts of Paul’s story quoted and linked to in Rod Dreher’s post the other day. The whole post was eye opening and, for me, tears bringing. Now this from you-- more bad to Good news. I’m not going to watch the film, but your reporting on it confirms hunches I had about Hollywood even a kid in the ‘50s. Thank you, Bethel, for keeping me in touch with hope. And the joy of quiet communion.
Great article. I am not a movie buff and was not aware of this film.
Given that for me what the world has to offer at present is pretty disillusioning, not great suffering but neither much joy, it is good to think that there is a force operating that is completely outside and above this world, something other than the empty promises of this existence.
A good part of me thinks, that God should ‘come down and move into the neighbourhood’ is so outrageously daring, so preposterous to those whose rational learning deems it inconceivable, so extra-ordinary, so super-natural, it can only speak of a God whose ways are, at times, mind-expanding. Christ is, in every possible way, the only hope of this dark, dumb, damaged world.
Thoughtful discussion of how Americans have redefined God and faith with us at the center. God is our servant, and faith brings out the better us.
We have remade God so thoroughly in our own image, that He must fail to meet the promises, and is just another of the many available idols.
The idea was not still good, the idea was and is American pragmatism. It is fully incompatible with the message of a crucified savior, whereby we ourselves are our own worst enemy.
Merry Christmas Bethel, you are a gift to many.
Aww, bless you and a very Merry Christmas to you too!
I first saw parts of Paul’s story quoted and linked to in Rod Dreher’s post the other day. The whole post was eye opening and, for me, tears bringing. Now this from you-- more bad to Good news. I’m not going to watch the film, but your reporting on it confirms hunches I had about Hollywood even a kid in the ‘50s. Thank you, Bethel, for keeping me in touch with hope. And the joy of quiet communion.
Amen, and Merry Christmas!
Great article. I am not a movie buff and was not aware of this film.
Given that for me what the world has to offer at present is pretty disillusioning, not great suffering but neither much joy, it is good to think that there is a force operating that is completely outside and above this world, something other than the empty promises of this existence.
Amen. Merry Christmas Dan, and thanks so much for your thoughtful readership!
In your opening paragraph you must be referring to the other Capra film made 5 years later, "It's a Wonderful Life", no?
Yes!