| Author | Message | ||
| Grok |
Anyone interested in talking about Lord of the Rings? Grok | ||
| Cindy |
Hi Grok... I'm assuming you're talking about the movie? I've seen it twice...thought it was excellent; violent, yes, but still with such true themes of good versus evil. The pull of the ring--the pull that evil has over us to try and draw us into itself--was a reality we all know. It is a real spiritual battle we are involved in. I actually have not read the books; my 14 year old son, who has read them, says that I should--to get the full story...:-)) The pastor of the church I attend (not SDA) also saw it twice and remarked that it was a real portrayal of the demonic...not just the riding around on a broomstick type like other movies... He also used the illustration of Bilbo Baggins trying to grab the ring back from Frodo...(it was a another very good sermon; we are blessed to be able to have him here). My husband said the movie made him somewhat weary since it seemed like all they did was FIGHT evil...(he was very tired from his work and fell asleep for part of the first half hour!). Grace always, Cindy | ||
| Lydell |
Cindy, I liked it too. And you son is right. You really do need to read the books. They, of course, had to leave out alot of the details in the movie. I thought it also does a good job of showing that evil corrupts completely. I liked too that the characters have to make the choice of surrendering to evil or to good. And, of course, that good wins out in the end (but then, I've read all the books! ha) Funny your hubby fell asleep. The guy in front of us chose toward the end of the movie to make (I assume) a potty visit. He walked back in just as the last scene was showing, sat down and whispered to his wife, "so what happened?". Thought his wife was going to hurt herself laughing. | ||
| Sabra |
I can not figure out how to start a new discussion so please forgive me! I don't know anything about this movie..... I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight into Matthew 17-The Transfiguration...I don't know how I never noticed this before, but in verse 13 when it says "Then the disciples understood that He spoke to the of John the Baptist" ??? Does it mean that John the Baptist was actually Elijah? And are you all understanding that the two witnesses in Rev 11 are Moses and Elijah? | ||
| Colleentinker |
Sabra, I'm not completely sure about the two witnesses. I admit that my understanding of Revelation is less locked-in-stone than it was in Adventism, and some things I'm just not sure of yet. I'm not convinced that those witnesses are literally Moses and Elijah. I'm certain, though, that they're not the Old and the New Testaments as I've heard some people say! If we take Moses and Elijah symbolically, though, maybe they are. No, John the Baptist was not literally Elijah. But there were prophecies that Elijah would come before the Isralite's redeemer would come. The real Elijah was often a voice crying in the desert, calling Israel to repentance. That function of a prophet calling people out of apostasy and to the salvation of God was what gave the name "Elijah" to the person in the prophecies that would preceed the Messiah. John the Baptist was the prophet who fulfilled the prophetic role of Elijah. Still today at Passover seders Jews set an empty seat for Elijah and open the door at the end of the meal for "Elijah" to come in. It is still a supplication to the herald of the Messiah. Several years ago we attended a Passover seder at the home of some observant Jewish friends. I remember even then feeling the emptiness and hopelessness inside as they opened the door and invited Elijah to come, still looking for their redeemer. To the Jews Moses represented (and still represents) the law, Elijah the prophets. They do not only represent themselves; they represent everything they did and everything for which they stood. In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about people's hearts still being veiled when Moses is read. Literally, that refers to the Pentateuch, Moses' writing. Symbolically, however, that statement refers to the Law. In a symbolic sense, maybe the two witnesses are a Moses figure and an Elijah figure. BTW, the transfiguration was so significant because (as I finally understood after reading Ratzlaff in The Sabbath in Crisis) Moses on the mountain represented the Law, and Elijah represented the prophets (of which John the Baptist was the last.) When God said, "This is my Son; listen to him," Moses and Elijah disappeared. Jesus alone remains. No longer are we subject to the law and the prophets! Isn't the New Covenant wonderful?! Colleen | ||
| Grok |
I LOVED Lord of the Rings! I thought it is very well cast. And they did a very good job of sticking to the "heart" of the story. The struggle between good and evil was very strong without being gratuitous. I first read The Hobbit and then the "trilogy" when I was in eighth grade. That was a tough year for me, and the books became very special to me! Grok | ||
| Sabra |
Thanks Colleen, That insight into the transfiguration helped a lot. Wow, there is so much in there! Sometimes it's almost overwhelming but mostly just amazing! Sabra |
