Taken (2008)

The first time I saw this cinematic gem I became so engrossed in its story-world and intelligent action thrills, that before I even remembered to breathe again the film had finished... and I wanted to watch it all over again. Immediately. 

The classically structured linear narrative follows a diligent ex-military agent (Bryan) who has resigned from his successful career in the Special Forces to move to L.A, in an attempt to get to know his estranged daughter (Kim) after a messy divorce from his ex-wife. Then, enduring to please his daughter, Bryan reluctantly agrees to allow her to go on a trip to Paris with her best-friend to visit its cultural sites. But Kim really plans to follow U2 around Europe.

After giving Kim a mobile phone and explicit instructions to call him as soon as she arrives in Paris, he waves good-bye to her, the most important person in his life. Her last words to her father at the airport, 'I love you.'

Within hours of arriving in Paris, Kim and her best-friend are 'Taken' by an Albanian gang who kidnap young women and 'disappear' them within 96 hours of their being captured, never to be found again. These human traffickers forcefully addict their hostages to heroin to make them compliant, whilst beating, raping, and brain-washing them before selling them into prostitution. 

But as Kim is being taken by the gang she manages to call her father and pleads for his help. And Bryan uses all of his contacts, specialist skills and power to get to Paris to start tearing it up in order to find the child who he loves dearly… before she's lost forever...

Okay, so what could be the spiritual implications or life lessons that could be extracted from this film? Well, the simple life lesson I see is: listen to your dad if he's smart, knowledgeable and wise. Don't be stupid, because it's a dad's job to look after us.

'Listen to your father, who gave you life' - Proverbs 23:22

The spiritual aspect that stuck in my heart after watching this film, the main parable insight, is how God sees the needs of those who love Him and call upon his name to look after them, as a shepherd does his sheep. And this is summed up in one simple, reassuring, beautiful, all encompassing promise that Jesus gave to us 2,000 years ago, and which is now scripture in the Holy Bible.

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the father are one." - John 10:29

And this promise means that for those who have asked God the father to actually be their heavenly Father, nothing (not even a gang of evil human traffickers) can truly take us away from him. For he knows all things and is everywhere.

'For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38

These promises assure the believer that no matter what tries to take us from him, he will not allow it. 

Ever. 


Not our bad choices or silly mistakes. 

Not our careers, wealth, despair, or poverty. Not even the main thing that threatens to 'take' us: the sin that we seem to gravitate to over and over again; even though we know our sins bring only an empty quick fix, and they take more from us than they ever give us. 


But if we call out to God for help and to be rescued then nothing... not sin, or guilt, or fear, or even death of our earthly body will take us from Him. In fact the opposite is true, because allowing God to deal with our guilt, fear and sin helps us to become more like Jesus - and that brings us closer to God. And even earthly death brings us all face to face with almighty God and a closer relationship with Him in glory if we have asked for salvation.

 'Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.' - 1 John 3:2

I can bear testimony to this in many ways, that God will come and rescue us if we fall away from a relationship with Him. Or if allow something to fruitlessly 'take' away our affections towards Him.

'Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.' - Exodus 20:5

A Quick Testimony of how I was taken and rescued:

I became a Christian in 2003. It's by far the best decision i've ever made, or ever will make; because starting a right relationship with my Creator answered most of the questions I had about life, and why we're all here. It also quenched many of my fears and false knowledge, replacing them with hope and truth. This relationship also filled the God shaped hole that I felt in my heart every single day before asking Jesus into my heart. 

But i'm only human, and that makes me occasionally stupid.

Many years later I fell away from God and started to drink and dabble in 'trendy' drugs. 

My sinful nature desired to take me away from the promises and blessings of God, and I was slowly losing my mind. And my peace. And was becoming deluded and bitter. I also raised up idols in my life: women, celebrities, self-righteousness… 

Now, just as Bryan's daughter Kim didn't deserve her dad risking all to come and rescue her (because she was stupid too)  - I didn't deserve my heavenly father coming to rescue me. 

Yet he did, because the main roles of a father to his child are to guide, teach, protect, and show the child that they are loved. And just as importantly; how to love.  

God showed me that love in Jesus Christ.

'I would sacrifice anything.' (to get his child back) - Bryan.

My Heavenly Father also showed up to rescue me on the 13th june 2010 with thunder and lightning. And I sat in the pouring rain with my King James bible, tears falling down my face as he took me through an eye-opening spiritual journey using the book of psalms and proverbs to speak to me. 

'In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud' - Psalm 81:7

I was terrified, and saw how my mind had been taken prisoner (because i made the wrong choices, just like Kim) and that I needed rescuing and couldn't do it  myself. 

'What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? - Matthew 18:12

And, as the criminals that took Brian's daughter in the movie Taken saw, I saw that my father in heaven is powerful, and mighty, and knows exactly how to save me. And will not stop until he has saved me from myself and the enemy of my soul. He showed me that he will not have his children killed to sin if they repent and call upon His name. Because he's already seen his only begotten Son, Jesus, who chose the cross and became sin itself (even though he had never sinned) die. God won't suffer seeing his loved one's pointlessly die to sin because Jesus's death was to bring us life. By choosing a sinful life I was being foolish and fooled.

So I stopped what I was doing, started to pray with a right heart towards God. Began the journey with my LORD and saviour again by reading the bible and making right decisions; like finding a bible teaching church and renewing my mind by His word.

'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.' - Romans 12:2

I still regretfully visit sin, we all do, but I refuse to live there as a permanent misguided hostage.

'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.' - 1 John 1:9

So that's what I see in my heart when I watch the movie 'Taken' ...

... A father's love for his child and his hatred of evil that preys upon this world. A father who will sacrifice all he has to give us freedom and life.

The film also contains some great dialogue, world-class acting from Nesson as 'Bryan'. Amazing martial arts and believable performances from the supporting cast. The action is staggered by really intelligent writing (co written by Luc Besson) which shows off the character Bryan's immense special-forces skills. Considering that the film was originally expected to fair poorly by the producers and cast, with a meagre budget of $25, 000, 000, it did exceptionally well, receiving praise from critics and earning ten times what the film cost to make with box-office sales alone.


A sequel been written, and Nesson has agreed to play 'Bryan' again. There are even rumours of a prequel; no doubt seeing Bryan in action in Afghanistan or Iraq, honing his talents.  

If you don't mind being wowed by a charismatic ass-whooping brilliant dad on an all-out quest to save his daughter, then I whole heartily recommend this movie. It comes with a warning though: you will be on the edge of your seat. You will clench your fists. You will feel anxious for his plight. You will draw your loved ones nearer. And you will feel great during the last scenes of the film.

And for those who don't know the truth yet…

You have a Father in heaven who made you and ADORES you. He would do so much for you to be right with Him. He would live for you, and he would (and has) die for you. He did at the bloody cross on calvary's hill, and now He offers you protection and guidance and love for all of eternity. 

'They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.' - Ezekial 37:23

May God bless you and keep you.

The Karate Kid

There are many spiritual principals and lessons to be gleaned from all art forms. It is, after all, a creative way to express the things we might otherwise struggle to communicate.

Jesus helped people to understand deep theological matters through parables - which is storytelling with meaning. And we are blessed in this modern-age with the most advanced way of storytelling our species has ever enjoyed: Cinema.

With this in mind, I'll be chatting about how I feel when I experience a movie. And how it always seems to teach me a higher spiritual principle; something to encourage and inspire me. Today's movie is...

The Karate Kid (1984 & 2010)

These are two of my 'comfort' movies. When I say that, I mean that during these films I don't find my troubles so pressing, or anxieties so prevalent in my thoughts. What they do give me as I watch the struggles of the young protagonist, 'Daniel', (and in the recent updated version, 'Dre')  is a sense of optimism. 

In the film, Daniel, moves to California and finds himself drawn to a girl (Ali) in his new high-school. Ali's ex-partner (Johnny) is envious and jealous of Daniel and starts to bully him using his Karate skills and popularity as weapons. After a series of beatings, Daniel is saved from his persecutors by a mysterious old man named "Mr.  Miyagi", who manages to get Daniel's beatings stopped... but only if Daniel will meet his adversaries in combat at an upcoming Martial Arts competition.

The Karate Kid Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOUGf_s4hy4

I love to watch the story of this vulnerable boy become discipled by the wise Mr. Miyagi as he aims to overcome his bullying piers without becoming like them; whilst finding love, and developing a relationship with the strong and wise roll-model who aims to rescue him.

However, before Act III of our life stories begins (and the bad guys are sent running) most of us can relate to the struggles of the hero of The Karate Kid - as It's true that in this life we will have trouble. The bible (and every theological belief system) speaks about this.

'Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward' - 

Job 5:7

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" - 

John 16:33

'For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.' - 

Psalm 40: 12

So, it's tempting when faced with troubles to act wrongly. To repay hatred for hatred. For example: taking the easy way out of a financial crisis by not paying those we owe money to; or cheating on a partner when things aren't going great or we think they've wronged us. Or punching a bully right on the jaw out of revenge! But this only brings more trouble eventually. We've all got a testimony to that... the 'Karma' - "it goes around, comes around" - thing. 

The bible reveals this factual state of 'Divine Justice'. In (Job 4:8), it says, “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." 

Also, in the book of Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

And more importantly, Jesus says, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:44 

So, as our hero protagonist in The Karate Kid did when faced with evil, unwarranted persecution, and the temptation to repay hate for hate; he did what makes sense for us to do: ride the storm, keep our conscience clean, and hope that things will improve if we do what is right. That a saviour has got our back.

And Daniel's saviour came exactly when he needed him the most. Just as he was about to be beaten beyond what he could bear, Mr. Miyagi (Han) jumped in the path of the evil bullies intent on harming him, and defended Daniel when he could no longer do so himself. To me, this symbolises the fact that God will always intervene when we finally realise that we can not 'do this life' without his help, and friendship.

In the Bible it says that, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory." - Matthew 12:20

Wow!! What a saviour.

It is then that Mr. Miyagi offers the hurting Daniel a very important thing; to shepherd him and teach him how to defeat evil with good. In the film this is done by the mentor teaching Daniel the ways of Martial Arts. In a walk with Jesus the 'Martial arts' are learning how to recognise right and wrong, respecting ourselves and our fellow man, staying true to a code of principles, exercising discipline, and training hard for the day or days when a fight to do what is right can not be avoided. To walk daily with our mentor Jesus, and learn from him who knows all things. And to start to love God and each other.

Daniel does this. He trains and hopes. Shows diligence and commitment. All the while he and Mr. Miyagi grow closer together, and so strong is their relationship, that defeating the bullies becomes secondary to the wonderful relationship that have together. This is also how it is when we decide to follow God. The other things, even the life-and-death important things, simply take second-place to the realisation of how much he cares for us, and we him.

But its not all roses and hallelujahs. We still have to fight. And there is still an enemy to overcome...

This is where I see another spiritual principle in the wonderful film The Karate Kid: You must be fully committed to fight for what you believe in.

During one of the training scenes, Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel the seriousness of his training, and that if he isn't fully committed to the fight then he might get hurt. He holds a grape in his hand as he looks Daniel in the eyes and says, "Either you Karate do 'yes', or Karate do 'no', you Karate do 'guess so'...(makes squishing noise as he crushes the grape)... just like grape."   

http://www.hark.com/clips/vcvpnvrtkr-either-you-karate-do-yes-or-karate-do-no

The same thing can happen to Christians who, by profession of faith, have declared war on evil. We can get squished just like the grape. This can happen if we lead lives that aren't honouring to our profession of faith and the changing power of Christ. And because we aren't close enough to God for him to teach us the things we need to know and do in order to lead spiritually blessed and informed lives. 

Because, if you say that you're fighting for one side (God - and therefore - good) then you, by logic, have an opposing side (evil and its leader). For example; If you walked into the German trenches alone during 'The great War' and started telling everyone that you were fighting for the British due to your belief that the British were in the right, you would expect to meet some unpleasant situation because:

 a) You're alone. 

 b) You're the enemy to those soldiers and in their territory. 

The same applies to people who believe in God yet do little to follow him and stay close to his command post.

So either, 'follow God yes, or follow God no -  no follow God maybe.'

One final thing that struck me as I watched the new Karate kid (2010) is the spiritual allegory that 'spoke' to my heart in the final few minutes of the story. 

This happened as the hero, who was showing so much promise at the Martial arts competition that he'd been fighting against his bullies, was about to fight the penultimate opponent. The opponent he had to face prior to facing the main bully of the group 

The boy about to fight Daniel pleads to his master, "I can't defeat him!" The evil master replies, "I don't want you to beat him, i want you to break him."

And this is what the devil wants to do to Christians. He can't defeat those who have given their lives to Jesus, because he can't defeat Jesus. So, he tries to break us, making us non-useful in God's kingdom. 

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8

But if we stand close to our Saviour and follow him and his teachings, then God promises to deliver us from our trials. And our enemies.

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
   their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
   he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
   and he delivers them." - Psalm 34:4

And God's promises can never be broken.

If you've never watched The Karate Kid, either the 1984 or 2010 versions, then I can only implore you to do so. The writing is wonderful, full of lessons for life and spiritual applications whilst taking the viewer on a storytelling adventure of acceptance and victory. The direction is stable and easy to follow and seems to bring the characters to life. The cast are perfect for the roles, and the soundtrack (especially in the original) is laden with classics which evoke emotive responses. All in all a treat for anyone who likes movies.

If you've never tried to follow God, I can only sincerely implore you to do so. He authors a wonderful life for you and wants you to take that life. But it requires you to make the first move and seek him, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 

He can be found in faithful prayer and in the Holy Bible. 

And he knows your every desire, good deed, and wrong-doing... and still loves you more than anyone ever can or ever will, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." Psalm 139:13

He promises to rescue us from a pointless life, and repay those that seek to harm us without cause, "I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul." - Psalm 31:7

He promises to give us hope for a better way of life now, shepherding us to greener pastures, and fill the spiritual hole in our hearts.

He offers all of us (no matter what we have done) salvation and victory against evil. And he holds the keys to an eternity in paradise with him.

For, many thousands of years ago a young man, who suffered at the hands of those who sought to hurt him without cause, wrote this faithful psalm. It echoes in many lives still today. And if I had ever met Daniel in The Karate Kid, or someone going through a similar fate, I would hope to lead him to this bible passage declaring hope and optimism.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
 Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever." - Psalm 23

May God bless you, and the gifted people who work within the art of cinema.

Tim