Clint Eastwood and Christ: A Reflection on “Gran Torino”
It’s amazing where you can find Christ.
In many respects, Clint Eastwood’s latest film, Gran Torino, is a bleak affair. It tells the story of Walt, a traumatised Korean War veteran who deals with the pain of his memories by hiding behind a wall of crusty misanthropy and bitter racism. Walt’s life is locked into a dead end of re-cycled routine – disguised as “discipline” and “orderliness” – and excessive drinking. Even his family life has been infected: he is all but estranged from his sons and their families; and now that he is a widower, his life has been reduced to one of lonely isolation. Read more »
About Me
My name is Brendan Byrne, and welcome to my new blog, a space especially dedicated to matters of faith: sermons, prayers, reflections, and occasionally a comment or two.
Firstly, a couple of housekeeping matters. This blog will not be replacing my old blog, Confessions From a Comfortable Couch. That blog will remain my blog dedicated to all manner of stuff and musings – except for matters of faith. So please continue to enjoy the comfy couch!
Second, why this new blog? Simply, it’s to do with the fact that I am now a formal candidate to the ordained ministry of the Uniting Church in Australia. I wanted to have a space where I could share my thoughts, musings, and impressions of the process of theological training and ministry formation. Also, because I am now being given opportunities within my local UCA congregation to preach and lead services (frequently in conjunction with my Dearly Beloved, also a ministry candidate), I wanted a place where I could provide copies of my sermons, prayers, devotions, reflections, etc, for others. Not, I hasten to add, because I am under any illusions that anything I have to say might be particularly groundbreaking or profound, just simply in order to share what I have to say (and to give you the opportunity to tell me what you think!)
So – the excuses made, it’s time to launch ourselves into the theological breach…fides quaerens intellectum.
