The Rookie
In The Rookie, Jimmy Morris seems to be walking three very different paths as he lives out his calling: One path as a teacher, another as a family man, and yet another as a professional athlete. Jimmy’s story is a lot about finding a higher purpose, about achieving a dream.
On a conventional level, this inspiring movie should be familiar in many ways, not only in the locations where it was filmed, but also in the relatable story of a husband who tries to fulfill all his life’s callings and duties at once—in a new career, as a husband, and also as a son and father. It is also a notable exploration of the expectations fathers have of their sons (or parents of their children) as well as the bold faith the son has in the father (the child in the parent).
On a less conventional level, sports movies often remind us of the obstacles one must overcome in order to make it to the big leagues, so to speak, in our chosen profession or vocation. Conversely, it is hard to make dreams come true that have yet to be dreamed.
On the deepest level, the movie can serve as a metaphor for how we all must gauge our abilities as disciples, each having a calling to serve in his kingdom according to our gifts and abilities. Are we ever ready? Conversely, are we ever past our prime? Or, are we already blessed by what it takes?
- Are we ever completely ready to fulfill a calling from God? Or are we content to stay in the minor leagues? And how will we handle it if we blow it? What if we suffer an injury?
- Morris became a major league player in an unconventional way. How might God be leading you toward something in a less-than-conventional way?
- If your life and career seem to be following a Plan B path, what was your Plan A? How was God’s hand evident in that change?
- How can one fulfill multiple callings at the same time in different arenas? What must we give up, and to what must be held tightly? Where has this stress caused a break in your life?
- The role of the relief pitcher is to come into the game and hold the lead, often with runners already on base threatening to steal the win. Consider how often you have been confronted with a seemingly impossible task, one that you were unsure of how it would work out. What do you do in those threatening moments?
- Consider Jimmy’s students, his son Hunter, and Lorri, his wife. What life lessons do they take away from his success? Likewise, what is your take—how do you benefit from the rookie’s story?
- The Catholic Church recognizes four patron saints for impossible causes. In what impossible causes do you still maintain hope? How should one pray for such things?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” — Hebrews 12:1-2a
Inside Out 2
Like the first Inside Out story, the sequel explores the sense of belonging and self-identity in a young person—a story made relevant and poignant in light of the trends in society today.
This new story addresses a new phase in Riley’s life; she has grown into puberty. Very few movies satisfactorily deal with this traumatic transition, much less any film that explores the drama from a narrowly Christian perspective. Even scripture seems to be relatively silent on the topic—there is not much help for the young person trying to make sense of their suddenly changed world. Or is there?
Inside Out 2 is more than just a movie for a young person facing puberty. On an unconventional level, the story can encourage the new or immature Christian who must deal with unexpected changes and unfamiliar feelings standing in their way as they embark on their journey of faith.
Diving deep, this movie challenges us with additional questions (possible spoilers):
- This movie could belong to the genre we might call Adolescent Girl Stories Full of Complex Interpersonal Drama and Conflict. Consider how this one might fit that genre and how it may be different from others in that classification.
- Society today sets the bar high for young people, insisting that they can do anything one sets their minds to do and be whatever they choose their identity to be. How might we put this bold optimism into the context of what the Gospel says about vocation, ambition, success, and failure?
- Riley quickly loses traction as she struggles to keep what the filmmaker and society call the sense of self. How often can a similar confusion be recognized in the life of the growing disciple?
- Must one burn bridges, so to speak, when they join a new team? Consider the conundrum of a new believer.
- Riley is away from home when she endures her identity crisis. Her parents seem mostly unaware of the internal competition she is facing within her soul. Consider where and how these life lessons are best learned and interpreted.
- Consider if or how the roles of parents have changed in our day, with all the school, club, and sports opportunities for children outside the home. What might be missing?
- As you continue your journey in life, using the same sports metaphor, what is it like to discover that you are not yet fully ready to be in the game? Biblically speaking, should one quit, sit the bench, or change teams?
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. . . . Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
(Philippians 2:3-4, 12b-13)
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
(Hebrews 5:13-14)
Caddo Lake
Mysteries are certainly one of the most popular movie genres. It challenges the viewer to think outside the box and to open the mind to the impossible and unthinkable.
Caddo Lake is such a mystery—challenging the viewer to consider time travel, which requires a mental reordering of the events in the film. Solving or accepting the mystery will lead to a more profound understanding of the relationships among the characters.
The Bible often reveals a preconfigured Christ. In addition, we can read about the re-appearing of the previously ascended Christ to Saul on the road to Damascus.
Imagine how Peter, James, and John struggled in their unimaginable encounter with Moses and Elijah on the mount of Transfiguration. How was it possible for them to appear now? What did their appearance in the present do to recast past events and store insight into events yet to come? How might it have changed their relationship with Jesus?
On a less conventional level, Caddo Lake challenges the viewer to travel back and forth in cinematic time. Can the mysteries of the present help Christians better understand the past and project themselves into the future? Can past events help interpret or even determine what happens today and tomorrow? How will our knowledge of what is to come help reimagine our lives for the present?
Diving deep, this movie challenges us with additional questions (possible spoilers):
- M. Knight Shyamalan is known for the award-winning movies Signs, The Sixth Sense, and The Village. What thematic thread is common among these three (and perhaps also in his less-known works)?
- Consider why the mystery in this movie manifests itself when the water in the lake is low. How might this serve as a metaphor for life?
- Re-examine those events in scripture where God manipulates time. What conclusions can you make about God’s use of His supernatural power to control time?
In this movie, one character travels across time and ends up saving another character’s life. How is this reminiscent of Christ’s mission on earth? - Consider how coming to a new understanding of past events can help one interpret or even determine what happens today and tomorrow. How is hope carried on the wings of time?
- Mainstream Christianity does not recognize reincarnation in God’s creation. As a metaphor, however, the idea still has some appeal. What note would you write to yourself in the future? Or, write to yourself in the past?
Click HERE to access a guide intended to help viewers follow the mystery of Caddo Lake. (Warning: SPOILERS)
“This is what the Lord says, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.’”
(Isaiah 43:16,18-19)
Leap of Faith
This film is in the sub-genre of movies directly about religion or the church. In movies like this, the filmmaker makes direct assertions about Christians and their behaviors as a church. In many of these films, the propositions of the filmmaker are not so kind to Christianity.
In other films, the filmmaker’s assumptions on the surface may seem to be spot-on, but only in a less conventional examination can subtle but deviating assertions about faith and Christianity be recognized.
Unfortunately, not all of what we call “Christian movies” are exempt from theological imperfection—perhaps made more insidious for us when our guard is down.
Sometimes, it is better to take in a raw story of flawed sinners who stumble upon grace, rather than watch a squeaky-clean “Christian” movie and give a pass to the inadequate Gospel it promotes.
No doubt, Leap of Faith is a movie made for audiences with a broad range of religious views. It advances the audacious proposal that sinners are better at saving other sinners than are the pious.
- Must all ministers of the Gospel be perfect? Do the sins of the preacher, one who is a simultaneous saint and sinner, somehow taint the Gospel they preach?
- How must one live to be considered a genuine Christian, not found to be an imposter in the eyes of our family, friends, and neighbors?
- People often follow various spiritual and religious influencers on television or social media. Do these entertaining and engaging presenters uplift spirits or do they ultimately inflict harm?
- How is the traveling evangelist redeemed in this movie? Who redeems him?
- In John 5:6, Jesus asks the helpless paralytic, “Do you want to be healed?” Consider if this question was necessary. Does faith play a role in health and healing
- Should the Christian trust present day faith healers? Similarly, must the patient believe in medical science for it to work its magic?
- In John 4:48, Jesus speaks with an air of disappointment when he complains, “Unless you people see signs and wonders . . . you will never believe.” Must we be made well before we believe? Further, is sound physical health the same goal as wellness or wholeness?
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
(1 Timothy 1:15b)
“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way . . . in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors.”
(2 Cor. 6:3-4a, 7-8)
