Faithspotting "The Long Walk"
Mike and Kenny review and spot faith in the second film this year based on a novel by Stephen King, The Long Walk. Stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Mark Hamil, Judy Greer and was directed by Francis Lawrence. The Long Walk was the first novel Stephen King wrote although it was not published for many years. Some of the film and faith themes we discuss from The Long Walk are echoed in later novels and series such as The Hunger Games, Squid Games.
Faith Spotted:
Persons of faith are called to be content with what one has Psalm 46. Greed in acquiring material, or social wealth and reptuation is contrary to the teachings of both testaments of the Bible. Set in the midst of a post apocolyptic America, the story presents 50 or 100 persons (depending on the film or novel) that are willing to put themselves in the gravest danger for a 1% or 2% chance to win a large payout. The countryside and towns are presented as bleak and the people as joyless with litte to no hope in life. Faith allows persons to find meaning, joy and purpose in life and Philippians 4 calls Christians to rejoice in the Lord, always as, regardless of one's situation, the presence of the Lord is always with one and the promises of the Gospel of new life bring joy into one's life, regardless of the challeges or even suffering one is facing.
All life has value because all people are children of God. Killing goes agains the commandments of both testaments. Not only are such contests that pit living persons against another not acceptable, participating in, or watching / condoning, them are incompatible with the teachings and life example of Christ.
Those in leadership are charged with the responsibilty of the welfare of citizens and others in their cities, states, and nations. They are called to act as shepherds in offering care and protection to all people. The film depicts the games as a way those in control distract and control the population in much the same way as the gladiatorial games during the Roman rule. Such a strategy is not faithful leadership.
