An Example of Spiritual Freedom

4/18/2022

Spiritual freedom is a recurring theme on this blog. On the one hand, this sort of freedom should be easy to understand and "live". On the other hand, it appears most people struggle to define spiritual freedom and have -- at best -- a tenuous grasp of what it is and what it entails.

I was browsing You Tube earlier today, and I happened to stumble upon a scene from Risen, a recent fictional film set at the time of Jesus's crucifixion. I haven't watched the film, so I can't attest to its quality. Nevertheless, the few scenes I have seen were quite engaging, particularly the one below, which I believe provides a vivid portrayal of what spiritual freedom looks like.

The scene takes place shortly after Jesus's death, which the Roman Tribune, Clavius -- played by Joseph Fiennes -- witnessed in person. After the tomb Jesus had been placed in is discovered to be empty, Pontius Pilate orders Clavius to make the rounds and find the body. One of Clavius's interrogations involves Mary Magdelene.

Note the way Mary responds to the manipulations, coercions, and threats Clavius issues as a representative of the external authority that wields every imaginable worldly power over Mary.

5 Comments

Carol

4/18/2022 19:46:09

I watched this movie a couple years ago and thought it quite good....the only 'quibble' I had (directly related to the scene in that clip) was that the authors wrote the character of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute, which most biblical historians and even the Catholic Church have refuted.

You are right about this scene being so illustrative of "spiritual freedom" in a believer...
The actress portrays absolutely confident inner peace so radiantly..
...I don't think I've ever felt that kind of 'fearlessness', even when my faith is at its strongest.

Francis Berger

4/19/2022 12:25:52

@ Carol - "I don't think I've ever felt that kind of 'fearlessness', even when my faith is at its strongest."

I'm reminded of the apostles' actions following the crucifixion. Only John exhibited fearlessness. The others found their fearlessness only after Jesus appeared to them.

Nevertheless, I believe fear is the major obstacle to spiritual freedom, which implies that spiritual freedom involves the overcoming of fear.

4/20/2022 14:10:42

@ Carol - One more quick note -- I believe it is difficult, if not impossible, to be in full possession of spiritual freedom in mortal life, in much the same way it is difficult, if not impossible, to be totally free from sin in mortal life. Nevertheless, we should aspire to be free from both fear and sin in our mortal lives, and we must repent whenever we fail to be fearless and/or sinless.

John Venlet link

4/18/2022 21:44:24

That was a fine example of spiritual freedom, which is the freedom we are promised by The Messiah. Something followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ should pray for daily as a strengthening of their faith.

I have not seen the film either. The clip posted was good. As an aside, I have been watching <I>The Chosen</I> series. Though the producers/writers/etc. do take some poetic license attempting to illustrate some of Jesus Christ's daily interactions, the Scripturally sound portrayals have at times caused an intense welling of emotion within me.

4/19/2022 12:28:55

@ John - I have enjoyed the Chosen series, too -- but it appears to be on hiatus now. That is, as far as I can tell.

Your point about the poetic license in these sorts of films/series is important. These are, after all, fictionalized depictions. Nevertheless, they can sometimes communicate meaningful insights.

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An Example of Spiritual Freedom

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