Saints and Soldiers

If you're looking for a good way to spend an evening, rent Saints and Soldiers. My wife and I did just that last night, and I found it to be nearly everything I look for in a movie: a well written script, good acting, layered character development, all combining to force consideration of difficult issues. The issues that this film raises are surrounding the relationships of faith and war, God and suffering, and how outward actions are often indefensible until the underlying story is understood. I found it helpful at another level, as this comning Sunday I'm preparing to teach on Jesus' ethic regarding enemies. I'm reading an essay from CS Lewis "Weight of Glory" this morning, entitled Why I am not a Pacifist, and considering once again the role that we are called to play in this world as peacemakers, and how that relates to the realities of living in the midst of evil. What does 'overcome evil with good' really mean?

On another subject, we're working on ways to respond to Hurricane Relief opportunities, and will be posting information on the church web site by the end of the day. There are ways to help locally in Seattle or by travelling to the South. Also, GOOD clothing will be accepted this coming Sunday at Bethany, as we have a member driving down with specialized underwater equipment who will be setting up shop to help however he can. His truck has room for clothes.

How do these two themes tie together? It doesn't matter whether it's war or flood; bad things will happen. But our response will either deny or confirm the credibility of Christ's claims.