Difference between revisions of "Sermon for January 11th, 2015"

Revision as of 14:11, 7 January 2015

Genesis 1:1-5

1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God[b] swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Faith & Film III: The Theory of Everything

• First Film Clip: Trailer

Three Minute Film Summary

The Theory of Everything is a film based on the biography of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who is considered by many to be the smartest living person today, in the same league as past geniuses like Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. More to the point, the film is based directly on the book "Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen" by his former wife, Jane Wilde Hawking.

The film begins with Hawking as a young student at Cambridge, entering his doctoral program, but uncertain about what field to study, and more committed to parties and social pursuits than to his studies. He meets and begins to court Jane Wilde, begins to impress his professors as someone with a bright future, and then disaster strikes as he is diagnosed with ALS, or motor neuron disease. He is given two years to live, and is emotionally devasted, but Jane brings him back from the brink of despair, and they are shortly married.

As Hawking's physical health continues to deteriorate throughout the film, his career and family life begin to take off. He is awarded his doctorate, publishes groundbreaking contributions to his field, and has three children. However, both his increasing fame and his increasing disability take a strong toll on his relationship with Jane, who is for many years is the sole caretaker of Stephen and their three children.

On a speaking engagement in France, Stephen has a stroke and goes into a coma. His doctors recommend removing life support, and tell Jane that even if he recovers (which is unlikely), he will need a tracheotomy and will never speak again, adding to his already great disability. Jane, however, is unwavering in her support, and Stephen recovers. He is fitted with the computer controlled electronic speaking system, for which he is well known today. Eventually, Stephen and Jane go their separate ways and pursue other relationships. Jane finds happiness and fulfillment as a writer and the wife of a church choir director. Stephen becomes an icon for scientific acheivement and overcoming adversity.

The film ends with Stephen, Jane, and their children going together to an audience with the queen, where Stephen's accomplishments are honored and recognized. Afterwards, in a touching moment with his family in the queen's private garden, Stephen gazes at Jane and his children and acknowledges the beauty of what he and Jane have created, together.

Faith & Reason: Helping Each Other See Clearly

• Film Clip: You Don't Know What's Coming
• Film Clip: Blink to Choose

In The Beginning: Winding Back the Clock

Film Clip: Keep Winding

The Theory of Everything

• Film Clip: Well Done, Doctor