Photos Courtesy of Netflix
NFL coaching legend Vince Lombardi regretted his gospelizing the statement, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Had he the power he would have rather been known more for saying something along the lines of, “the commitment and dedication to winning is the only thing.” If he regretted the winning is the only thing quote, I suspect he would also amend his other famous quote, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.”
Losers is a Netflix original series about “people who were good in the midst of losing. It is also a series that speaks truth to the power that is the winner OR loser mentality that has been woven into the tapestry of society. The very title of the series is indicative of the way most of society labels those who fail to win. Depending on the nature of the loss, they are not people who lost, but they are losers. Such castigation of those who lose and the opposing adoration of those who win and are thus winners is evidence of the idolization of winning. The eight stories in Losers state unequivocally that losing does not make one a loser, and indeed losing can help one win what is truly important, the peace that comes with a true understanding of what is winning and losing.
Each of the 25-40 minute episodes shines a light on people known best for losing, or as many would say, famous for being losers. The shining light, however, is not how they have merely coped with losing, being a loser, but how in losing they found redemption, meaning, and an appreciation for what is truly important in life.
To people of the Christian faith, each episode speaks to the nature and differences of the worldly life we were born in to and the Kingdom life to which we are called and into which we are baptized. As is repeated throughout Scripture, those who are considered losers, or that which is considered losing in the judgment of the world, are often winners in God’s criteria and Kingdom. This reality is repeated again and again in the teaching, life, and ministry of Jesus as well as Paul and others.
As Jesus teaches in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount and Luke’s sermon on the Plain, those who are blessed in God’s kingdom are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who suffer for righteousness, ie losers in the estimation of worldly standards and standard bearers. Likewise, Jesus warns against acquiring and storing earthly riches, the notoriety, and fame that comes with winning, because they are all susceptible to degradation and loss, versus Kingdom blessings that are not at risk of loss or decline.
Jesus warns against the love of and devotion to winning in worldly terms such that one loses that which is truly desirable and meaning filled. The devotion and sole focus to win and the prize of notoriety that comes with it can instead lead to loss of that which is truly important, namely, life, and the peace and joy of love for and of others. Running through each episode is the teaching of Paul that in losing, as in all things, God seeks to work for good.
For each of the subjects, losing was not what they desired or thought to be good. But in each, losing opened them to experiences ultimately more meaningful and satisfying than the temporary enjoyment and notoriety that winning would have brought them. One example of such is the story of French Golfer Jean van de Velde, who after losing a three-shot lead on the final hole of the 1999 Open Championship (British Open) and along with that the honor of having his name inscribed on the famous Claret Jug. Instead, he ended up having his name inscribed on the hearts of many of the young French golfers he later inspired and coached, as well as the lives of children he impacted through his work with UNICEF. Had he won the Open, it is less likely he would have been able to devote attention and time to these causes.
Many of these teachings in scripture, especially Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and Plain, are met with a, “yes that would be nice, but“ mentality. Losers answers worldly skepticism regarding the application of Kingdom teaching and ways in our time and place.
While all eight episodes are compelling and reflect redemption and character that can be experienced and developed in loss and struggle. The five episodes listed below may most easily resonate for sermons or small group discussions.
The Miscast Champion: Heavyweight boxer Michael Bentt unexpectedly wins the championship, but a knockout loss in his first title defense changes his life and helps him find his passion and purpose. (24 Mins) Biblical Connection: Peter and failures and Redemption, The impossibility of serving two masters, Matthew 6: 24
Judgment: French skater Surya Bonaly’s struggles with winning an Olympic medal and World Championship as well as acceptance because of her color and skating style. 37mins Biblical Connection: Blessings and Woes Luke 6:22-26, Matthew 5:1-11
Aliy: Sled dog musher Aliy Zirkle spent years attempting to win the Iditarod Championship, yet after several close finishes, she has yet to win. Her determination and fortitude are also tested after a harrowing experience in one race. 33 mins Biblical Connection: Forgive Enemies Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 5:43-48, Forgetting what lies behind or ahead and pressing on to the goal Philippians 3, Perseverance in running the race, Hebrews 12,
Black Jack: Jack Ryan was a legendary basketball player on the street courts throughout New York City. He was also someone who sabotaged repeated opportunities for college and pro careers. Through perseverance and a final opportunity, he is able to make a life in basketball and impact the lives of many children. 33 mins Biblical Connection: Prodigal Son Parable, Luke 15:11
The 72nd Hole: The heartbreak and peace for Jean van de Velde following an epic loss on the final hole of the 1999 Open Championship. 28 mins Biblical Connection: Teachings concerning treasure Matthew 6:19-21
Losers Rating: TV-MA for language.
This 16-minute speech is President Dwight Eisenhower’s farewell address to the nation. As supreme allied commander in Europe during World War 2, Dwight Eisenhower bore as heavy a responsibility as anyone in the 20th Century. This, one of his final acts after 50 years of service to the nation is very much worth the time to watch.
Known as the “Military Industrial Complex” speech, President Eisenhower’s farewell address goes far beyond that issue in addressing the challenges the nation would, and we now face. Central to his call is the place of statesmanship and the need for balanced cooperation between the private and public sphears. He also challenged the nation to resist the temptation to use fear as a tool of governing and put the needs of the nation above personal and partisan benefit. Perhaps he was not in touch with the time of Camelot, but this speech shows Eisenhower was very much in touch with the challenges facing our nation through the ages.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor offers a contrasting voice and message to what is in the air today. The film is not obvious in pointing out the differences; it doesn’t have to be. There was an audible murmur when they showed tape from the first week of the program in 1968. The video showed the puppet character King Friday the XIII fearing the “Changers” and requiring reluctant subjects to build a wall to keep people who wanted to bring change out of his Kingdom. The clip ended with the human Lady Aberlin sending balloons with “signs” calling for peace and acceptance of others over the wall to the King.
Even though Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian clergy, he never mentioned it on the air and rarely in public. Rather than saying he was ordained, he presented the face of Christ to children and the world. His genuine love of children led him to take time to be with and listen to children and then offer them a non-anxious, calming presence. He respected children, and he fearlessly addressed topics that all others avoided. When RFK was assassinated Mr. Rogers addressed the issue, explaining what assassination was and the fear and sadness that the nation was feeling. Mr. Rogers knew that the children would know something had happened and wonder why parents and others were sad and scared. To avoid talking about the issue would only make the children’s fear more pronounced. He loved children too much to allow this. Loving and engaging children like this are exactly what Jesus intended when he called for his disciples to allow children to come to him.
A week after there were news reports and film of a hotel owner chasing African Americans out of the hotel pool by pouring bleach into the water to “clean” it, the neighborhood of Mr. Rogers showed him sharing a footbath with Officer Clemmons, portrayed by Francois Clemmons, an African American member of the cast. There was no mention of the hotel incident. there did not have to be.
I thought I would review The Shape of Water, the winner of the 2018 Academy Award for Best Picture in a different way, a text log between me and my niece.
Me: People/govt. afraid of difference in others…other people united, by what makes them different…Allowing what unites them to overcome their difference.
Me: I thought Sally Hawkins’s performance was extraordinary…
In addition to the Best Picture Oscar, Guillermo del Toro won the Oscar for Best Direction. The Shape of Water is a beautifully photographed film where the acting is just as impressive, and as with most fantasy films, The Shape of Water allows, if not demands for continued contemplation and application to one’s life and circumstance. It’s not a film everyone will relate to or enjoy, but it was worthy of winning the Best Picture award.
The program stars Dallas native Jay R. Ferguson (Mad Men) as Chip Curry, a film critic who experiences two life-changing events that led him to reconsider his life trajectory. Chip decides he will attempt to live his life as prescribed by the Bible. To help him in this endeavor he develops relationships with a Roman Catholic Priest and a Jewish Rabbi, who meet regularly in a restaurant/bar for interfaith support. This God-Squad helps guide Chip in applying ancient teachings and practices in a modern context.
Based on the preview shows, it seems each episode will explore an issue of life and faith such as loving thy neighbor and the allure and challenge of modern idols, i.e., cell phones. As with all TV, resolutions come much quicker and easier than real life. Crimes are rarely solved so fast, and trials are never completed in such a timely manner as they are on TV. So it is that theological awareness and discipline are rarely established and accepted so readily as they are on Living Biblically. But the show does address issues of life and faith that may be a first step for persons.
The film would have benefitted from detailing and presenting more of the relationships established between the unit and their allied Afghan forces. After the screening I attended, there was a Q&A with the men Hemsworth’s and Shannon’s characters were based on, Captain, now Major Mark Nutsch and Chief Warrant Officer Bob Pennington. While covered in the film, the full story of the relationship between the members of the unit and the leaders and members of the Alliance group was stirring and added much to the film’s impact. Also, the cultural and political differences that Nutsch, Pennington, and all members of the team had to address and overcome were as vital to the success as any of the weaponry and tactics brought to the mission. As dauntingly impossible as the scope of the mission was, and as dangerous as the combat was as depicted, more details given to these relational and cultural requirements and accomplishments, at the expense of some of the combat sequences, would have reflected better the true and amazingly successful outcome of the mission.
At their best, faith communities are devoted to one another and care for each other, at times more than they care for themselves. Members of faith communities draw strength from one another, teach and when necessary offer accountability to one another. Another commonality between armed forces units and faith communities is the devotion to the mission. Once given an assignment, the successful completion of the mission becomes the primary if not singular focus for members of a military unit or squad. Such should be the case for faith communities. In units, there is neither room nor patience for thoughts, opinions, habits or other things that distract from completing the mission as assigned. Christian faith communities would do better to follow this example and put the mission of loving and serving Christ by making disciples, above all things.
In the midst of this, perhaps the darkest hour in the nation’s history, Winston Churchill, a fiery orator with a reputation for recklessness, replaced Chamberlain. Gary Oldman is rightly receiving Oscar attention for his transformational performance as Winston Churchill. Kristin Scott Thomas also gives a strong performance as Churchill’s wife Clementine, one of the few persons the bulldog PM turned to for strength and counsel.
Experiencing, even in the slightest way, the feeling of facing such darkness offers viewers a greater understanding of what Churchill, and all of Britain, went through in this pivotal time when Britain was the last dim light in a darkening world. Winston Churchill provided much of the energy and hope for that light through his determination and the power of his oratory. Darkest Hour also reminds viewers living through the current uncertain and dark times of terrorism, aggressive despots, as well as political and social division the necessity and importance of political courage, and placing the welfare of the nation above personal or political party interests.
