Kingdom of Heaven

We have so much to learn from this film, so this may end up being a multi-part post. Stay tuned, but for now...

Historical inaccuracies aside, this film sheds light on the issue of human corruption and the thirst for power espoused in the name of religion -- both Islam and Christian. In an on-going battle over sacred land (Jerusalem), we see decision-making by government leaders based on the faulty advice of their religious advisers -- men who abuse their faith and sanction actions based on the "Will of God," when the actual will of God is their very last concern.

Sadly, this is still happening today inside religious institutions. Consider the political agendas of those on the far right who purportedly act in the name of Christianity. Jesus instructed Peter: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." So maybe these groups don't wave literal swords anymore, but what are the figurative swords that these groups are waving? There have got to be better ways of approaching these issues.

The main character in the film, Balian (played by Orlando Bloom), although of the opinion that God has abandoned him, is the very character wherein the hand of God seems the most apparent. His oath: "Always speak the truth, even if it leads to your death." And he backs this up by refusing to join a murderous plot that would put him into a position of power, even when it seems like such a plot was necessary for the greater good of the Kingdom. In this action we see Balian demonstrate an amount of faith and trust in God that surpasses even the most reasoned human minds (whether this decision was conscious or not). How many things in your own life do you just need to lay at the cross and entrust to God's timing? Are you wrestling with your own unbelief? Your own lack of trust?