Difference between revisions of "Sermon for February 10th, 2019"

Revision as of 20:22, 9 February 2019

2 Samuel 5:1-5

1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

2 Samuel 15:12b-14

12b The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing. 13 A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the Israelites have gone after Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him at Jerusalem, “Get up! Let us flee, or there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Hurry, or he will soon overtake us, and bring disaster down upon us, and attack the city with the edge of the sword.”

Faith & Film VII: Black Panther / Outlaw King

Film Clip #1 - Black Panther Trailer

Film Clip #2 - Outlaw King Trailer

Three (or Six?) Minute Film Summaries

Black Panther--which is the very first Superhero Action movie in history to be nominated for the Best Picture Award--takes place in the present day (Marvel Universe), in the fictional country of Wakanda, which is hidden somewhere in East Africa in order to protect the advanced technology and civilization of its citizens. The story centers around Wakanda's young prince, T'Challa, who must take up the mantle of king upon the death of his father. His kingship is challenged by a distant cousin, Eric Killmonger, a trained Navy Seal who grew up in America. For a time, Killmonger forces T'Challa into exile and begins plans to use Wakanda's advanced technology to subdue and dominate other nations. With help from his family and some unlikely allies, T'Challa is able to stop his cousin, reclaim the throne, and begin a new era for Wakanda that involves cooperation and sharing of resources with other nations, rather than isolation and secrecy.

Outlaw King, by contrast, takes place in 14th century Scotland. There were two films about Scottish monarchs that came out last year--Outlaw King, and Mary Queen of Scots. Both have their strengths, but if you value historical accuracy, this is the one you want to see. The film follows the story of Robert the Bruce, who is crowned King of the Scots and then then immediately forced into exile and pursued as an outlaw by the King of England and his superior forces. Robert makes his case to the people, begins to gather men, and fights a guerrilla-style campaign against the invading English, culminating in victory and the long sought-after independence of Scotland.

Return of the Rightful King

While they take place in separate centuries, separate continents, one is historical, one is fictional, and on the surface could not be more different, the two films are essentially the same story. What's more, it's a really popular story in literature: The Return of the Rightful King, the Rightful Heir to the Throne.

Film Clip #3 - Coronation

This trope shows up in the Arthurian Legend, the Story of Robin Hood, several of William Shakespeare's plays, C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and all of JRR Tolkien's stories (one of which is even titled The Return of the King). And right now, this story seems more popular than ever: In addition to Black Panther and Outlaw King, by my count it was the plot of no less than eight other movies last year, including Aquaman, Creed II, Robin Hood, The Nutcracker, and the Disney remake of The Lion King that's about to come out this year.

But the original "Once and Future King" was the same man we talked about last week: David, the King of Israel and Judah in the Bible.

Good King, Bad King, Human King

• Robert vs. Edward
• T'Challa vs. Killmonger
• Kings are human, have flaws
• Wisdom, Compassion, Restraint, Humility

https://youtu.be/6wx8X0yDD38 - Outlaw King siege of stirling

https://youtu.be/z5lnjhYXGEo - Who are You? final scene from Black Panther

https://youtu.be/y9fBzUtrKwY

https://youtu.be/gDCu0ivNWB8