God bless you and welcome to Movie Parables featuring the reviews and spiritual commentary of film critic Michael Elliott.

Just as Jesus Christ taught God's truth by using images and events taken from the culture of his day, it is this reviewer's intention to use the culture of our day and time for the same purpose. Even though Hollywood's aim is not to include spiritual lessons in the films they produce, art does tend to imitate life. Since the Word of God IS life, we should be able to find aspects of the Word of God in every film that we see. Why not train our minds to look for them?

During Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, he drew the examples for his parables from his surroundings. When he spoke of the city on the hill, the sower and the seed, the prodigal son, or the faithful steward, his listeners knew (from experience and observation) the examples of which he spoke. Jesus Christ used what the people already knew as a means to teach them what they so desperately needed to know -- the truth of God, his Father.

It is our prayer that these reviews will be used to stimulate thought, encourage further study, and increase your personal desire to seek God and His truth in everything you do.

Movie Quote:
"The soul of a great nation is expressed in the life of its humblest people."
The Good Earth (1937)

Bible Quote:
"Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."
Deuteronomy 4:6 (KJV)

As great as our country is - we the people can often miss the point and origin of that greatness. The quote that comes from The Good Earth reminds us that it is our humility that exalts us and causes us to prosper. It is when we (or those who lead us) stop being humble to the truths and commandments of God that we start getting ourselves in trouble and become less than our potential.

Humility or meekness often gets confused with fear or timidity. That would be a grave miscalculation. Meekness simply means the willingness to make one's self subservient to a higher power or principle. It requires great strength - of will and character - to maintain a spirit of meekness in a world that rarely respects or rewards it.

However, meekness is a quality very highly regarded by God and He rewards those who practice it faithfully. The nation whose people maintain a meek and humble heart - is a nation whose strength is admired not only in this world… but in the world to come.

- Michael Elliott -