As we get back into the groove with Historical Fridays, I have decided to do something a little different today before we continue our grand survey of Christian history. I have decided to talk about a movie that is out that depicts an interesting time in Christian history.
Just a disclaimer: I won't do this very often. To be perfectly honest I am not a fan of many of the Christian movies that come out nowadays. Some, like Risen, are pretty good. Others, not going to name names, are not. They tend to pander to Christians without challenging us in any way to grow in our faith. They tend to face Christianity off against the world as if it were a fight rather than a mission of reconciliation given to us by Christ.
That being said, Silence is a film many Christians probably won't see. I think this is sad. It is not an easy film to watch. It is nearly three hours long and deals with very challenging subjects. It does not pander to Christians but rather forces us to examine our own faith in Jesus. For non-Catholics, which is most of my readers, the Catholic overtones and elements can be off putting. In my opinion, these are not good reasons to ignore a film.
Without going into spoilers, because I do want you to see it, the film centers on two Jesuit priests on a mission to Japan during the 1600's. This was a time when Japan had closed itself off from the outside world entirely and being a Christian was a crime punishable by death and torture. The Jesuits are there for two reasons; to look for their mentor, who is rumored to have denounced Christianity and become a Buddhist, and to serve the Christians in hiding in Japan.
What follows is a heart wrenching tale of faith, doubt, and suffering. We watch as Christians are routinely tortured and executed just for believing in Jesus. We witness the Jesuits be tortured and forced to witness atrocities committed on Christians just to make them renounce their faith in God.
As I said, it is a very tough film to watch. It challenges to think about our own faith, and whether that faith is in Christ or our own convictions. It doesn't shy away from questions about dying for what you believe in and living in a hostile world.
Silence asks a lot of great questions, and it does something very bold with them; it doesn't answer them. It leaves them for you to answer. Go see this movie.
Just a disclaimer: I won't do this very often. To be perfectly honest I am not a fan of many of the Christian movies that come out nowadays. Some, like Risen, are pretty good. Others, not going to name names, are not. They tend to pander to Christians without challenging us in any way to grow in our faith. They tend to face Christianity off against the world as if it were a fight rather than a mission of reconciliation given to us by Christ.
That being said, Silence is a film many Christians probably won't see. I think this is sad. It is not an easy film to watch. It is nearly three hours long and deals with very challenging subjects. It does not pander to Christians but rather forces us to examine our own faith in Jesus. For non-Catholics, which is most of my readers, the Catholic overtones and elements can be off putting. In my opinion, these are not good reasons to ignore a film.
Without going into spoilers, because I do want you to see it, the film centers on two Jesuit priests on a mission to Japan during the 1600's. This was a time when Japan had closed itself off from the outside world entirely and being a Christian was a crime punishable by death and torture. The Jesuits are there for two reasons; to look for their mentor, who is rumored to have denounced Christianity and become a Buddhist, and to serve the Christians in hiding in Japan.
What follows is a heart wrenching tale of faith, doubt, and suffering. We watch as Christians are routinely tortured and executed just for believing in Jesus. We witness the Jesuits be tortured and forced to witness atrocities committed on Christians just to make them renounce their faith in God.
As I said, it is a very tough film to watch. It challenges to think about our own faith, and whether that faith is in Christ or our own convictions. It doesn't shy away from questions about dying for what you believe in and living in a hostile world.
Silence asks a lot of great questions, and it does something very bold with them; it doesn't answer them. It leaves them for you to answer. Go see this movie.
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