Redemption at the Oscars!

By now pretty much everyone know the results of the OSCAR® awards from the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science: Slumdog Millionaire received the OSCAR® for best movie as well as being nominated for 9 more, winning 8 of 10 of its nominations.

But, why? Why does this film resonate so incredibly powerful to a sub-culture of those who voted for this film, time and again?  This is especially significant considering that those who are engaged in the film industry are often thought to be far from God?

I think I know. Or at least would like to posit my theory (while trying desperately not to spoil the movie for those who have not seen it).

At this point I may need to issue a warning: the film is rated R. Not for explicit sex or even horrific violence. The official word is “some violence, disturbing images and language”. If heart-breaking = disturbing, and that merits an R, then so be it. My wife seldom goes to R rated movies, but relented on this one.

I believe this film resonates because it is God’s magnificent story. It is a story for which our culture hungers and thirsts. Even Hollywood. Even the rich and famous. Grace and redemption slakes the spiritual thirst born into every mouth, hidden in every heart.

Slumdog Millionaire is a story of redemption, of God’s unending pursuit of His Love. That would be me. And you. And all his creation. Pursuing us like Francis Thompson’s Hound of Heaven, regardless the scars of separation and sin that we bear.

He endures it all. All the suffering, humiliation, torture and shame is down payment for the redemption of his Love. Then it ends. In heaven. Or is that just the beginning of another story, one of God’s really big stories?

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