Eli believes that god has enabled him to have the book for a good reason. What can eli teach us about calling and youth ministry. The pentateuch, the name by which the first five books of the bible are designated, is derived from two greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, a volume, thus signifying the five fold volume. The book of eli2010 was an original script written by gary whitta. Similar to the life of jesus, elijah performs marveling acts to demonstrate the validity of god to the people of israel. As the film ends, eli who we now realize is blindhas memorized the entire king james bible. On the one hand, we demand clear biblical themes and references. All the more reason, therefore, to expect that the ancestors of the great priest eli, the man in charge of the temple of shiloh, the most important figure in israel at that time, should be mentioned. And denzel washington isnt exactly kirk cameron, either. Introduction to the pentateuch and historical books by robert jamieson.
Threatening to kill solara, carnegie forces eli to surrender the bible before shooting him and. This, therefore, explains to the reader why the reversal of leadership takes place. I have read the story of hannah in the bible many times but it never meant more to me than it did the year that our awana commander used it as the lesson for counsel time. The book of eli, which we will call eli, reproduced in the preceding pages to this introduction, is a book of prophecy, written by the anonymous author eli. Therefore, he has seen and knows the power of religion and wanted to use it to minipulate the people for his personal gain. In the postapocalyptic biblical thriller the book of eli, denzel. It was there, in the sanctuary of shiloh where hannah, the wife of a prominent levite, elkanah, came to pray for a son. The secular faith of book of eli film school rejects. Elis faith is so great that he gave his own life to. Eli sneaks away, but carnegie and his henchmen confront him in the street.
The book of eli sermon northminster presbyterian church. The book of eli believable except for this one small thing. The bible story of elijah is found in the old testament, in the first book of kings chapters 17 and 18. Eli is, if that is what your asking, a priest who didnt stop his sons from mocking god, so god would punish eli. He finds solace in a unique book which he carries on his person and guards closely, while surviving by hunting small animals and seeking goods in destroyed houses and vehicles to trade in villages for water and supplies. This film encompasses all the themes including beauty.
As recounted by carnegie and eli, bibles are scarce due to a largescale book burning. In this film, eli, the actor heads to the western part for reasons that are not known to the viewers until sometime in the movie. The hughes brothers imprint their religious point of view in their 2010 american postapocalyptic film, the book of eli. The book of eli is a 2010 american postapocalyptic neowestern action film directed by the. But surprisingly eli s ancestors are mentioned nowhere. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. I dont have the right words, he says, but the book does. Carnegie the leader reveals his purpose to the gang. The movie in a minute a survivalist at his core, eli denzel washington fights his way through the barren wasteland that now covers a desolate america. The book of eli is screenwriter, gary whittas, take on a western samurai film. Water and food are scarce and can be traded for with whatever you are carrying at the time. Carnegie goes over to eli and begs him to stay and give him the book.
This is essentially the christian doctrine of inspiration, that god used human beings to communicate his message and bring it to the human race despite the evil in the world and the frailty of human beings. In a world where lawlessness prevails, eli must protect that which brings order out of chaos, the one hope humanity has a king james bible. Carnegie sends his gang into the wasteland to take the book from eli, but the man proves to be a formidable foe as he makes it more than clear that if they want the book, they must first take his life. Religion and language in contemporary film wikiversity. Psalms and bible verses are quoted throughout the movie, and christian imagery and symbolism are present in many scenes. Jesus and the book of eli part 1 worldviews, worship, and. The lord calls samuel the boy samuel ministered before the lord under eli. This essay contains realistic related to the bible. Even other holidays that precede and follow november 1 such as all hallows eve commonly known as halloween and all souls day are also not found in the holy scriptures, bro. A few observations about the book of eli welcome to the mind. It was one of a spat of post apocalyptic dramas with washed out color and characters who care more about surviving to the end of the day than dental hygiene.
A really old high priest and civil judge in israel, eli is. If you have yet to see this awesome flick, then i hope this article encourages you to finally watch this rrated christian movie about what would happen if the world was devoid of the bible watch the original trailer here. The premise of eli centers around the bible not just as a book or an object of immense cultural value, but as a source of power. The island yes, its alcatraz has its own printing pressa dinosaur that is handset and hand operated. Its brutal content is not for all tastes, but this thoughtful action movie finds denzel washington protecting the last copy of a very important book. The book of eli is set in a postapocalyptic future of sort and lets face it, there will be a heckofalot more cursing and violence than was shown in this 2 hour movie. Continuing toward the west coast, eli explains his mission. The bible describes noah as blameless in his generation or time. How does the book of lamentations in the bible relate to the world today. God used him during a really important time in israels history to oppose a wicked king. When eli failed to rein in the abusive behavior of his sons, god promised to punish his family, resulting eventually in the death of eli and his sons.
Claude hobbs feb 17, 20 cwv101 christian worldview bob greene the book f eli the book of eli is a post apocalyptic film in which eli played by denzel washington is traveling across the wasteland that was once america that has been devastated by a nuclear war that happened 30 years earlier. Likewise, samuel is positioned against the nation 4. The girl sees eli s book, and when carnegie finds out he beats her mother until she reveals what she saw. Empty cities, broken highways, seared earth all around him. In the end, eli gets the bible to the small community anyway and they end up getting the king james version of the bible to print and publish for the world.
It is the story of the desperate preservation of humanity itself. Christianity and the book of eli believe it or not houston chronicle. Elihu, also spelled eliu, in the hebrew bible, a comforter of job, the biblical prototype of undeserved suffering. Hughes explained, the movie is not about the bible, but about how one man took the bible. Jesus and the book of eli part 1 worldviews, worship. Eli in the bible was a jewish priest living in the days of the judges and serving god at the tabernacle in shiloh, a city near the hill country of ephraim 1 samuel 1. They had been governed by kings for numerous years and several of these kings had been evil. You see he told the story as if he were speaking to children as most of them in the room were grade 6 and younger. Eli has a mission of bringing a book to a certain place. At the very end is eli s prayer, which to me is an archetypal example of how one can converse with god. It tells the story of a mans faith as he honors the almighty god in his life and follows gods will no matter how challenging the life became. The book of eli 2010 77 opening the bible hd youtube.
And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written. The book of eli believable except for this one small. There was the residence of eli, the high priest, fourth in line of the unbroken chain of oral law massorah, beginning with moshe rabbeinu and continuing through joshua and pinehas. Carnegie thinks that the bibles righteous scripture is the best way to keep the town under his control. Ever since movie star denzel washington gave a shout out to our documentary different books, common word. The first book opens with samuels complete lineage up to ephraim, son of joseph.
Eli also added that many people have already been accustomed to following rituals and traditions relating to the day of the dead that are not based on the bible. In the movie the book of eli why was the bible so important. The word apocalyptic in contemporary times is defined as pertaining to the revelation of st. These stories about shilohs destruction were probably a part of jeremiahs family history. The book of eli claude hobbs cwv101 christian worldview. Instead, eli speaks words which have a religious ring and appear to be an evidence of his submission to the sovereign will of god, but which are really an expression of eli s willingness to continue on in his sin.
Theres a tacit understanding that this power can be abused carnegies selfish desire for the book gives voice to christianitys darker historical chapters, but were told, through eli, that the bible is inherently a good thing. Hannahs eventual child, samuel, was raised by eli in the tabernacle. Throughout the movie, eli dramatically quotes bible verses, like this reference to. Elijah, a biblical prophet is one of the most interesting characters in the bible. In this dramatic tale denzel washington stars as eli, a mysterious wanderer that carries the worlds only remaining copy of king jamess bible. We have our own 17 seventeen thematic channels containing. Book of eli bible info the book of eli, bible, books. Jeremiah, descendant of eli prophesies hope for the future. We first read about eli in 1 samuel 1 when a woman named hannah is bitterly praying to the lord that she may be granted a son. At times the movie lapses into excessive detail of dark scenarios, but so do some of the books of the bible. The book of enoch banned from the bible tells the true story of humanity.
The book of eli 2010 frequently asked questions imdb. Hes guided by a voice in his head that told him that he must protect this book and he is personally lives by the message of the bible, basically to do more for others than for yourself as he puts it. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the lord of hosts at shiloh, where the two sons of eli, hophni and phinehas, were priests of the lord. This leads him to memorize the entire bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.
The book of eli, purpose of bible the book youtube. Bob allen is senior writer for associated baptist press. The book of eli casts bible as a major theme baptist standard. A few observations about the book of eli welcome to. Later biblical passages mention the fortunes of several of his d. What the book of eli tells us about religion youtube. One night eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of god had not yet gone out, and samuel was lying down in the house of the lord, where the ark of god was.
The main character, eli, frequently protects the bible with his life, reads from it day and night, and hides its words in his heart and mind. Christianity and the book of eli believe it or not. Eli seems to be equipped with great selfdefense combat and fighting skills thats why he managed to protect himself and the mysterious book from bandits. In the morning, carnegie overhears solara repeat the prayer to her mother, and realizes eli has the book he has been seeking a bible. In the bible, the high priest eli was blind, and some might say that there are several scenes which may indicate that in the movie eli was blind or at least partially blind. Jan 9, 2015 hey guys, i was looking to replicate the bible from book of eli, but after a couple minutes of googling, ive come to realize that eli didnt have the. With the bible, carnegie tells eli, he can help bring light and hope to the people. The book of eli is not to far from a christian movie and in this film the bible plays a very important role. And the devil said unto him, all this power will i give thee, and the glory of them. Eli may be carrying a bible, and yes he walks by its tenets, but once he reaches. There is also an oral tradition of eli, which i have on good authority, and which has helped guide me in the writing of this book. Across the street, eli gathers his battery and prepares to leave.
Hes a biblical character, but his story is tucked in 1 samuel. The title of the movie seems to suggest that, like books of the bible, this is the book about eli i. The book of eli a bible publishers take gary davidsons. The bible plays a starring role in the book of eli, a postapocalyptic action film. Eli was, according to the books of samuel, a high priest of shiloh. Eli, reproduced in the preceding pages to this introduction, is a book of prophecy, written by the anonymous author eli.
As a book of interpretation, this book, also called the book of eli. Because elihus speech, which appears in the book of job chapters 3237, differs in style from the rest of the work and because he is not mentioned elsewhere in itas the other three comforters arescholars consider his section to be a later interpolation, perhaps by a. Bible verses related to elifrom the king james version kjv by relevance. Originally these books formed one continuous work, as in the hebrew manuscripts they are still connected in one unbroken roll. Throughout the film, washington carries a book and recites passages from it until viewers eventually realize its the bible. The book of eli is rated r for adult content, profanity, images of rape, and excessive. Elijahs story begins by introducing the state of affairs for the people of israel. In the movie the book of eli we discover at the end that the bible eli has been carrying the entire movie is written in braille. Denzel said in an interview with the associated press watch here.
When hannah came to shiloh to pray for a son, eli initially accused her of drunkenness, but when she protested her innocence, eli wished her well. The book of eli is the battle for the bible good faith media. The book of eli is about to celebrate its ten year anniversary on january 11, 2020. Only violent, fundamentalist christians will relate to this hollywood. Loving your neighbors is only the second greatest commandmentthe first is to love the lord your god with all your heart, soul, and mind. Being a postapocalyptic movie, that writing can be referenced to an apocalyptic book in the bible, revelation. The bible story of elijah is from the first book of kings, describing his miraculous feats and redemption of the people of israel from the evil king ahab. Eli in the bible was a jewish priest living in the days of the judges and serving god at the tabernacle in shiloh, a city near the hill country of e phraim 1 samuel 1. He travelled on foot for years passing through lawless lands and bandits. The moment he read the script, hughes said he never questioned doing the movie and that it had to be the bible that eli was protecting.
There are two major viewpoints in the bible which is clearly shown in this movie. What christians can learn from eli the book of eli the living. She offers, that if she is given a son, she will dedicate her son to. When eli heard the news of the arks capture, he fell backwards off of his chair and died 1 sam. For that matter, eli is something of a modernday elijah. Spoilers every clue in the book of eli that explains the ending.
In a violent postapocalyptic society, a drifter, eli denzel washington, has been wandering westward across north america for the last thirty years. The movie is a fiction about the future, not history of the past as the bible is. Carnegie tells eli that he isnt afraid to kill him and take the bible. Eli is determined to take this sole copy of the bible to the west coast where a group of survivors is working to rescue, restore, and preserve any remaining copies of art, music, and literature for the benefit of future. Eli is best remembered for his blessing on samuels mother and for his part in samuels first prophecy. Baptists and muslims first on black entertainment television and.
The importance of the bible in the book of eli, a film by albert and. Eli completely missed the most important lesson to be learned from his precious book. For questions about the book of eli, a postapocalyptic film from 2010 starring denzel washington about a lone man who travels across america with a book that holds the secrets to saving mankind. Its 30 years after the war, a man walks across the wasteland that was once america. Solara sees eli has a book, and he offers to share his food, saying grace before they eat. The book of eli is the battle for the bible good faith. Does this imply that he is blind and has been living completely by faith his entire life or is the punchline of the movie that he is the simply the last living man on earth who can read braille. As eli dictates, lombardi writes it all down, word for word.
Eli came out in 2010, just a year after the road starring vigo mortensen. Eli the high priest 2772 10 iyar 28702871 jewish history. The fictional eli never claimed to be prophet or to have written anything, like making his own book to be added to the bible. The book of eli is not a mustread orange county register. He says that he was led to the book by a voice in his head, directing him to travel westward to a place it would be safe, and assuring that he would be protected and guided on his journey. There are other hints from the book of jeremiah that strengthen his ties to the priestly family of eli and abiathar. This article about eli, together with other tools, activities, aids and materials and are designed to be used by an individual or a christian bible study group. Eli a free christian bible study resource we hope that this eli article will provide useful information and ideas for those following a bible study plan. Who is elijah in the bible and why is he important.
1377 431 550 1173 369 1770 600 655 338 216 604 1295 420 1072 17 1441 849 1037 1860 854 1763 242 1683 1633 632 858