Postcards from babylon

"If Christianity is not seen as countercultural and even subversive within a military-economic superpower, you can be sure it is a deeply compromised Christianity." - Brian Zahnd

'Postcards From Babylon: Evangelicals in the Shadow of Christian Nationalism' is a documentary produced by David & Kathi Peters and is based on pastor and author Brian Zahnds book 'Postcards from Babylon: The Church in American Exile.' It features the likes of Shane Claiborne, Walter Brueggemann, Lisa Sharon Harper, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Scott Hancock, Pete Wehner, and Jonathan Merritt.

The film begins with Zahnd in the middle of his 500-mile pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The title comes from the assertion that "America is not a kind of biblical Israel, but a kind of biblical Babylon." In other words, maybe we're not as godly of a culture/country as we think we are! Brian sets out to not only expose the dangers we seem to be leaning into, but also show the beauty of living a truly Christian life.

I believe it's an hour and 18 minutes long, and we've watched it twice so far. The first time we streamed it for like $3.99 on some random service, and last weekend we found it for free on another.

I don't feel it necessary to share so much about the flick (you can watch it). This is what transpired within me as I watched it though. It inspired me in two ways: 

1. As someone who has always leaned toward prophet gifting, I felt a pull to get back into some sort of ministry. I always think of it in terms of pastoring, and I would love to be able to pastor a small church again. I don't know if it will ever happen, but I connect with Brian and his conviction for truth-telling. 
2. There's also a part of me that would really like to hike one of these pilgrimages. A guy who comes into my gym has done it several times and it sounds so cool. The fact that Zahnd said he was doing this particular one for his 60th birthday... That will be me next year! Hmm. It would be quite a stretch for me (and I can't imagine stretching that far)... but it's something to dream about.

So, all in all, I really liked watching this, and I will likely do so again. I need inspiring messages like this not only to make it through the day, but also to hold onto my faith as I stumble through life.

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"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light." - Ephesians 5:11-13