As I’ve been thinking about the early chapters of Genesis I’ve been reminded of a concern that’s often troubled me over the years; that we are too formal in our handling of Scripture. Formality has it’s place in any respectful relationship, of course, but familiarity is also important. Parents do well to expect their children to listen respectfully, and to respond with “please” and “thank you”. But they also need to get down of the floor and play. We stand in church for the reading of the Gospel, and this is all well and good, but sometimes the Scriptures might like to go fishing, or meet with us in the pub. In Deuteronomy 6:7 we read, “Impress these things on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In other words, be at home with them wherever you are.
A great example of what I mean is the 1936 movie adaptation of Marc Connelly’s Pulitzer Prize winning play The Green Pastures. It’s an African American cast doing the Bible from Genesis to Jesus. And it’s wonderful.
I haven’t seen it on TV for many years, but you can buy it, and you can watch it on YouTube for free. The YouTube presentation is a bit clumsy because it’s done in ten segments, but it’s well worth the time and effort. Rex Ingram plays God, and he’s a beautiful mix of sweet and fearsome. And, in the end, we get some radical, and quite startling insights and speculations about God, suffering and salvation. Give it a look-see.
Note #1: You’ll need a good sound system or ear buds to enjoy this, but if you take the time and effort you will be glad you did.
Note #2: Some may find this movie patronizing and demeaning in its portrayal of African American characters. I don’t, but what do I know? If you do, I apologize in advance. No offence intended. I just think that, for it’s time at least, it’s a great movie. And, as a Bible epic, it’s a whole lot better than the Ten Commandments.
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