Iraq and Film

There have been numerous attempts to tell stories about the Iraq war through film. In fact, if "Iraq" is typed into imdb.com (internet movie data base), 256 hits appear, most of which are documentaries. Surprisingly, very few of these 256 films have lived up to any sort of hype that has surrounded them.

I remember leaving the movie theater after viewing the 2005 film Jarhead. Also attending the movie were some families from my church, one of which had a son in Iraq, fighting in the war. I also distinctly remember the reaction that this family had to Jarhead after viewing the film. They were upset... No... They were livid. Why? Because nothing happened in the movie, except a soldier's long walk through an oil field being covered in "America's gold". I think that the family was expecting the next great war epic... Especially with all the popular Vietnam tales that told of Americas heroic posture. However, Jarhead, and most of the movies created about Iraq are different. The posture is different.

Whitney and I view a little known movie last night that carries an intriguing story. It was called In the Valley of Elah and was probably the most engaging story that we have seen about the war. This movie, like other Iraq war movies, did not have a posture of confidence, but rather of humility.
But rather than leaning upon divisive political views, the movie told the story of a father (ex war hero) seeking to redeem the name of his son (embarrassed at war). The shift that occurred in the generation of army men was stunning. If you get a chance, please see this film, as I think that it is a fair image of the story of the war.

Systematics 3

I thought that it might be fun to video some lecture from a class at Fuller. (I know, I know... The manifestation of excitement may be overwhelming!) Welcome to classroom Payton 301 for Systematics 3 (eschatology and ecclesiology) with Veli Matti Karkkainen.

Feasting

He prided himself upon feasting. Every day was a feast and he took pride in its fruit. Feasting was directly connected to celebration, and celebration tied to abundance in life. Every cup of coffee, every conversation, every deal completed, every glass of wine, every morning, every noon, every evening was calling for celebration. He felt that all were called to be great celebrators, maybe they wouldn't be able to celebrate as well as he could, but they were still called to be a feasting people. However, one morning he woke up and didn't find celebration in the cup of coffee. In fact, the experience of the oily water was rather mundane. Conversations also grew burdensome, as people all seemed to always want to speak of the same things... Namely themselves. Another deal was completed, and another, and another and another, and ten more, but what was another deal? It was certainly not longer a feast of adrenaline, but rather another opportunity to top himself in climbing a higher mountain. But his legs were tired. And the wine... no... not the wine... it also no longer tasted of a celebration, but rather more like a coma... Numb and empty. Void of any of the expressions that it had previously manifested over his tongue. Feasting and celebration had turned cold. Until he stopped. He stopped drinking, he stopped feasting, and he stopped celebrating. HE FASTED. And to his surprise abundance again poured in. There was life in the fast. And when it came time to once again drink coffee and wine, to do deals, and to dialogue with humanity, the feast returned. Celebration returned in the balance of the feast and the fast.

Continuing a Ritual

As I look back upon the past year and a half of blogging I see a pretty steady pattern of experiences mixed with classes. Some pictures and some stories typically comprise the experiences, while the thinking typically comes from the classes. While this quarter will be filled with new experiences, I want to begin to highlight some thinking that will happen via academia. For the next ten weeks I will be delving into the depths of worship, James, 1 Peter, ecclesiology and and eschatology. I know, I know... These classes may sound too pregnant with excitement for anyone to bear, yet I really am excited to share experience in these classes that I will be experiencing in the next 10 weeks.

I thought that I would begin with a simple reflection upon the systematic theology of ecclesiology and eschatology. To even mutter the word systematic in a post modern culture may seem heretical, yet I think I am learning otherwise. May I quote my professor Veli-Matti Karkkainen in his definition of systematic theology...

"Systematic theology is an integrative discipline, which continuously searches for a coherent, balanced understanding of Christian truth and faith in light of God’s revelation and in the context of the history of theology and contemporary world and cultures."

Now that wasn't so bad, was it? Veli-Matti is fully aware of the state of post modernity and reminds us that systematic theology still has a place (and an important place at that!) in our current culture. He simply makes his definition relevant by incorporating the idea of the process of pursuing balance in our understanding of God. I think that even the most skeptical of post modern children can swallow that system! Looking forward to sharing throughout the quarter...