Movie – Eragon

 Eragon. 2006 Directed by Stefen Fangmeier (first time directing. Previously worked as visual effect supervisor for Terminator 2, Perfect Storm, The Bourne Identity)

This is a screen adaptation of the book “Eragon” (Book 1 from the series triology ”Inheritance” by Paolini). I can not say much about the adaptation aspect since I have not read the book.  But as for the movie itself: it has an average plot and ok visuals. It was a little entertainning but definitely not worth the $8. If you must watch it, then wait for the DVD and if you are a fan of the book, I hear that you shouldn’t watch it at all because it will greatly DISAPPOINT you. 
One thing that came to my mind as I was watching the movie is that the film Lord of The Rings has raised the bar too high for this sort of movies. It has a similar feel to LOTR but in terms of character development, storyline and visuals, it was not even close to the LOTR. I know there are two more movies coming out on this series but I would definitely take a rain check.

-Book Review- Gerhard Lohfink, Jesus and Community 1984, Augsburg Fortress Publisher

Author: Gerhard Lohfink
Has been Ordinarius Professor for the New Testament on the Catholic Theological Faculty at the University of Tubingen since 1976. he is widely known in America for his book, The Bible – Now I Get it.

Translated by John P. Galvin:
He is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Chair of Department of Theology at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He is editor, with Francis Schussler Fiorenza, of Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives (Fortress Press, 1991).

Thesis
Church is the gathering of people, the community formed by believers who trust in the lord Jesus Christ and in his resurrection. Jesus shows the true model of church through his interaction with the community of his time.

Summary
The author begins with the concern of Christianity becoming an individual religion where each person’s need comes before the idea of community. Then shows us the model we need to look at in the life of Christ.

Jesus and Israel:
In this section the author describes the interaction of Jesus with the people of Israel (his preaching to them, choosing of the twelve disciples, interaction with the sick). The reason of this constant interaction and interest in the people of Israel was because Jesus’ mission was to gather the eschatological people, the community of believers which would submit to the rule of God. Jesus’ idea of God’s rule (the kingdom of God) is shown through a community of believers rather than through an individual. This does not mean that God chooses Israelites while rejecting all other nations. Israel was randomly chosen as the people of God to be an example to the other nations, which would eventually follow the steps of Israel and become part of God’s kingdom.

Jesus and his Disciples:
In this section the author further describes the interaction of Jesus with his twelve disciples. Jesus focusing on the twelve is in part because of Israel’s rejection of his message. This does not mean that Jesus chose the twelve to replace Israel but that the twelve became an illustration and symbol for the whole Israel. Just as Israel was chosen to be an example to all nations, the idea of community seen in the twelve was to be a foreshadow and a concrete example of how Israel should become.

The New Testament Communities in the Discipleship of Jesus:
In this section the authors explores how the community after Jesus ascension have followed his teachings. The writer explores the interaction of the early church with their surrounding cultures. Yet the main theme is their relationship with the Old Testament and the chosen people of Israel. Paul, consistent with Jesus’ teaching, does not reject the Old Testament and the idea of pilgrimage of the nation but links it to the current community and speaks of the importance of that link. The idea of community seen in the Israelites is to be continued through the early church and to everything that follows it; not the just the idea of community but the practice of community and discipleship taught by Jesus Christ

The Ancient Church in the Disciples of Jesus:
This section further explores the idea seen in “New Testament Communities in the Discipleship of Jesus” in the early church with the Church Fathers. The conclusion is, once more, the idea that church is the community created and maintained by the grace of God seen in the crucifixion. It is the place where people come in opposition to the values of society and experience the ongoing miracles of Jesus through their gatherings under the rule of God.

Personal Reflection
I have been constantly taught that church does not refer to the building or to the organization but to the “gathering” of believers, just as described in this book. Yet I didn’t have a clear idea of what that really meant. I knew it was the community of believers but as for what that might look like; I didn’t have a clear picture. This book gave me a deeper insight into the idea of church as community. It did not answer all my questions (not that I expected it) but it helped me to better see the link between the message of Yahweh, the Old Testament community, and the work of Christ. It gave me more than the idea of “building vs. people” but the origin, purpose and function of such community. It was more than the idea of “individual vs. communal” but the ruling of God in both individual and collective aspect of the whole humanity. This broadens my understanding of the term “Church in Mission” since it redefines my previous idea and understanding of the church. My idea of mission was redefined though other classes such as “Urban Mission” by Jude Tiersma Watson. I pray that God will work through this class in reshaping my understanding of “Church and Mission” so it will be closer to God’s view and purpose for them.