Harvey Dent and The Christ

So a little background on this topic, on this idea:

Last week at Bible study Shannon (they guy who is leading it) brought up the concept that there is way too much junk we inject into our minds/hearts via, well everything: TV, movies, music, internet. There is a growing trend to only eat organic stuff and be super watchful of what you put into your body-physically. This is probably a very good thing, but I think that, more importantly, what we feed our minds/hearts should be watched closely and picked out with great detail. If when we eat fatty foods/ eat chemicals in our foods, what happens to our bodies? They do not stay "in shape," likewise if we consume lean foods or organic foods our bodies are in better condition, they reflect what we consume. Why is this any different with our heart and mind? If we consume a movie that not only presents but champions the husband who leaves his wife for "the love of his Life" what are we going to do when we run into trouble in our own marriage? If we listen to music that is ALL about finding that significant other, and when we don't our lives SUCK, what are we going to be focused on? Likewise if we listen to music that champions those who humble themselves and cling to the cross of Christ, what will our lives be focused on?

We talked a while about what it would look like for us to watch what we consume, actually turning a movie off that feeds us false morals, or choosing to listen to music that keeps us on the right track. *interesting enough parents do this for their children all the time but we feel like once we are old enough we can make the choice ourselves, whether we do or not*

That night I was listening to the radio and had changed through several songs and came across the song "I Will Buy You A New Life" by Everclear, and right as I was going to change it because well I don't need to consume false promises, or get ideas on how to pick up girls... I listened to the lyrics:

I will buy you a garden
Where your flowers can bloom
I will buy you a new car
Perfect shinny and new
I will buy you that big house
Way up in the west hills
I will buy you a new life
Yes I will

and I thought "wow, this guy thinks he can actually purchase someone a new life? There is not enough money in the world to buy someone a NEW life, once it is gone, it is gone, people have been trying for years to obtain immortality. NO ONE has enough money. But what if it wasn't purchased with money?" Christ purchased our salvation with his blood, paid in full. In that case, what an amazing offer: "I will buy you a new life" not only that but "I will buy you a garden, where your flowers can bloom" The first part of John 15 talks about a vine and a vine dresser and Galatians 5 talks about fruit of the spirit and how it is to be grown through us. The analogy can go on but that is not what this is supposed to be about....

*************Spoiler Alert: The Dark Knight- if you haven't watched it its a good story, I'm not commenting on it appropriateness, you'll have to read other reviews and experience it to figure that out, but it is a good story***************************

On the idea of, things not intended to resemble Christ can still do a really good job of it, I got up this morning and found "The Dark Knight" as I was watching the end of the movie where Harvey/Two Face kills all those people and in order to keep his evil side hidden from Gotham, Batman takes the fall, I turned to Tommy (roommate) who was sitting next to me and said "This is probably one of my favorite concepts in film today, Batman is whoever Gotham need him to be" and I sat down and thought about why I was so fascinated with this concept. I realized it was an original superhero concept (as far as I am aware) the Hero has to take the blame, to keep the city together/safe. Then I though about how unoriginal this concept was in general- though still an AMAZING CONCEPT:

This is what Christ has done for us. We- Humankind- were once living in righteousness with God, -that was the garden of Eden in the beginning of Genesis- (Harvey was the Gotham's symbol of righteousness). Satan finds our weakness (as the Joker did) and make us fall (as Harvey does at the end of the movie). We sin (Harvey kills several people- including COPS) and our righteousness is tainted (as Harvey is no longer righteous in the eyes of the city) BUT WAIT! Jesus Christ comes in- he who is righteous in the eyes of God- (this is Batman who has done only what will help Gotham) and sacrifices his righteousness for our sake (for Harvey Dent), so that when God looks at us (Gotham), he sees only the righteousness of Christ (Batman).

It is really powerful to watch that part of the movie, and see the direct symbolism. Almost as cool as watching Lucy in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" stand up against an entire army with just a small knife, and seeing Aslan step out next to her.

Well hopefully a more LA oriented post tomorrow but for now: bedtime!

oh a little more about Batman & Christ (I haven't read through it all yet but hopefully it helps)