Kelly and I were watching Blood Diamond on Friday with Leonardo DiCaprio. We weren't actually watching it with Leonardo, but he was in the movie. :) For anyone that has not seen the movie, it is about mining for diamonds in Africa, in which a European Diamond Corporation, illegally provides weapons for an African militia to mine the diamonds and in turn creates a horrendous environment of child soldiers, greed, and much bloodshed. The European company actually puts a lot of the diamonds in vaults to increase the "worth" of diamonds, allowing the demand to increase, which enables the mining to continue, as does the cycle of violence. It is eye opening, very similar in scope to Lord of War with Nicholas Cage.
There was one statement made by Leonardo DiCaprio which made me think deeply. He was talking about God and was looking at his life in Africa, where his own mother and father had been killed by violence when he was 9. He said, "God left Africa a long time ago." Why would one not think that God was not in that area, with all the bloodshed and violence. Elie Wiesel the author of Night when asked, "Where was God?", in the Holocaust, said, "He was right there in the gas chambers."
I see everyday ways that I could affect change or redeem situations which I believe are oppressive. I believe as Christians that God places us in the midst of suffering, so that we suffer with people, which brings the salvation of Christ to others. I do not believe Christian masochism, because I know that God wants humans to live in peace so that they have opportunity to fully live life, but it seems from watching these movies that only out of suffering will we find life. Let me know if this seems like an idealistic American talking or there is some truth to it?
18 comments:
"...only out of suffering will we find life."
Very true. This is why I think that the "non-Western" Christian message has taken root in continents south of the equator. There has literally been a hemispheric shift in the body of Christ. I saw Blood Diamonds as well. I found Leonardo's statement in the movie interesting, but I am more with Ms. Wiesel. As a descendent of African-American slaves that is a reality that they experienced: "He was right there in the [cotton fields]" (i.e. out of suffering they found life). Nice post bro.
John
P.S. Nice playing with you Saturday.
John Richards, thanks for the post.
I appreciate your perspective, not just because you affirmed what I said. :)
I would like to say that life could come another way, but it doesn't seem possible, from a scriptural view, and from an experiential view.
I also do want to say that I believe God does want to liberate us, because suffering can actually turn against itself and become an end in itself, which produces an unhealthy view of life and can also make one hate life.
Hope is found when there are people willing to walk with others through the pain of suffering, which allows us to have a glimpse of the resurrected life.
And just remember, "call a foul on every shot." Just kidding.
I wonder if you suffering with that guy who kept hacking us?
Ha
Paul, I think you make a really good point about walking with people in suffering and finding life through sufferings. This is a really important message.
Yet, at the same time, I wonder how we really suffer with the kind of immense pain and agony we see in that movie, how do we suffer with kids who are forced to kill others and become dehuman, how do we suffer with the slave in the cotton field, how do we suffer with the child who has no where to turn but to a gang for support---
There comes a point where suffering with and empahty has to turn to action and redemption and liberation
I was struck by Gary Haugen's comment at fuller this year that the people in Rwanda didn't need someone to give them a sermon or a hug, but to restrain the hand of the oppressor
I thought this movie gets at fundamental assumptions of what we consider status quo, like the great theologian, Jay-z says- my Jesus piece could be a blood diamond-----
I think we have to become passionate lovers of justice and activists for justice in ways that are proactive to stop suffering as well as being willing to enter into the suffering with people---
it's tough to tell an african orphan that he is finding real life in the midst of his extreme poverty
okay, i stop now
did i mention i love paul pace
Corey Paxton, Word.
The guy that kept fouling us, I was calling him to 'a new way of life', play the game as it was intended to be played and stop trying to win by cheating. :) My own personality affected the way I said it.
Your comments constantly make me think.
I agree with Gary Haugen that the people of Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Sudan, all over the world, actually need someone to 'restrain the hand of the oppressor'.
Walking through situations with people, as you know because that is what you have done in many areas of your life, includes "all" aspects of participating with God in his work in the world, whatever that includes.
"I believe as Christians that God places us in the midst of suffering, so that we suffer with people, which brings the salvation of Christ to others. I do not believe Christian masochism, because I know that God wants humans to live in peace so that they have opportunity to fully live life, but it seems from watching these movies that only out of suffering will we find life".
This statement from my original post is more of a calling to "do it", rather than theorize about it, which is what I have done many, many, many........times. LOL.
One more comment, many in the Jewish community have said, "NEVER AGAIN!!", in reference to the Holocaust, which I agree with in terms of not allowing one group of people to have power to wipe out a whole human race of people, but it also has justified using all means necessary to achieve that philosophy of "Never again".
Both extremes can be dangerous.
.INC
No thoughts about Blood Diamonds, I just wanted to post something on your blog.
Now I'm done.
Bernie, Word, thanks for the "short" post. :)
Hey, remember when you, Corey, and me used to get together in the mornings. Talk, share, laugh, almost cry, those were fun times. I think that the three of us should go to Pasadena Coffee Company one more time together before we part ways. What do ya' think?
I agree, i just told bernie we should go on a hike and manage to doing something really stupid along the way that bernie would have to save us from
Hey, I'm up for either...or both. I do miss that time we spend solving all the world's problems. Just think, we could keep doing that for years if only someone would move to Raleigh...
yeah, paul pace, when you coming?
I would go if I didn't have to give Fuller another $16,000.00. I mean if I left now then how would I be able to spend my money frivilously. I am just kidding of course, but going to Raleigh after I am done will absolutely be something that we want to do. From all the great things that are happening, we would love to participate with ya'll (see I will fit in perfectly) with the work that we truly believe is so important.
On the other comment, yes we need to do something fun, but not sacrifice myself in the process, as Corey had mentioned.
Paul,
Waaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzuuuuuupppppppppppp dog.....chilling on my side par usual.
Very good post on blood diamond. You have a very well defined, well rounded perspective on issues and ongoings which is refreshing to hear.
One serious quesltion for you.
Have you seen the Prestige yet??? If not, you have to ask yourself why you are watching blood diamond and not the best movie of 2006? Today is Friday and is a must see for you for this weekend. Take care of bizness please.....my brother. Let me know what you think.
Later dog
Hey anonymous, what's up? No, I have not seen The Prestige yet, but we will attempt to rent it this weekend. By the way anonymous, pretty early to be posting, since it shows up in California that you posted at 4:47 a.m., but it was 7:47 a.m. for you as you were just getting into work in Connecticut. :)
If I had known it was you, I would have rented The Prestige immediately, although I am a little surprised that you like a movie that much that does not have Robert DeNiro in it. :)
Please keep posting, Talk to ya' soon.
I guess I was way off with the detective/law enforcemnt props I gave you earlier. It took you that long to se your webmaster capabilities to figure this one out???
I was having fun with you...I love your site and the introspective insight you out out there to be read.
You must see the prestige asap and you will need to watch it twice...its that good.
Have a good one
Cnote
CNote, I like the name. Hey, just want to let you know, that after you mentioned Nicholas Cage, I talked to your mom and I asked her if you were posting on my site, but she said, "No." So, I thought it was you a long time ago, but then was not sure. :)
If Kelly and I move back to Connecticut after I am done, we are going to begin to establish some basketball leagues to connect people with God in a way that moves beyond the scope of the church building. I know it is an incredible thought that God is concerned about humans outside of the church building. :)
The first step though would be moving back to CT. Anyways, I am getting ahead of myself again, it is really good to hear from you. Talk soon.
Hey Anonymous-I finally saw The Prestige and honestly I didn't think that it was great. I thought it was an entertaining movie, but it didn't really hold my attention.
It wasn't a bad movie, but not as good as I thought it was going to be. Let me know what other movies you like.
Are you serious regarding the prestige. I have to believe there is a lot you missed or didn't understand to the fullest extent as to what was really going on. I am actually shocked because that movie does nothing but hold your attention. I do realize Nick Cage isnt in it....but still I am surprised by your take.
Let me offer my next movie and kick it back a notch as far as detail and complexity goes...check out Freedom Writers...this one I know you will love. We need to discuss the prestige in a phone conversation so I can offer some insite into the detail of what was really going on.
Take care
I know you love Christian Bale...check out Equillibrium its a SCI FI movie but really is a great story that has crazy action and well written at the same time
Hey, The Prestige held my attention, but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I really have liked watching "true stories" lately, or movies which reflect situations that are going on in the world, which is why we loved Freedom Writers, Hotel Rwanda, Catch a Fire, and Blood Diamond. All those movies held our attention, because the situations are real and they speak to understanding that we in the Western world, have the resources to contribute to changing some of them. Anyways, thanks, CNote, I'll talk to ya' soon.
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