I'm an Indy fan (of the original Trilogy) - It formed my childhood, I went to college to become an archaeologist because of the movies, I practiced with a bullwhip - but ended up a .... pastor. I would ask what first caused Indy to lose his faith, specifically Christian Faith he was raised in. The Jones' look to me to be Anglican or Roman Catholic (based on his Father's interests) - there is the whole 'Young Indiana Jones' TV serial, which is pretty good, but I don't remember if faith is ever addressed in it, and it shows an aged Jones. Indy did go through WWI, among other conflicts, in the series and that was a faith killer for many men of his generation, even if the supernatural is in your face, Indy must has some ptsd. I know many veterans that deal with faith issues and anger at God. I would also dig into the comics books and novels (I told you I was a fan) and see if they ever mention faith, I simply don't remember.
I suspect, partially, that Jones is also channeling Han Solo - Ford is good at the skeptic/agnostic type character. To quote Han Solo "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." I can see Indy saying something to that effect as well, replace blaster with revolver. Of course by the end of the new Star Wars stuff - Han does believe in the Force.
I think faith done well for a character has it as a background integrated in. You see that in many films - sometimes more forward, like in Gran Torino, other times not so much, as in Marvel films with Captain America - he never goes to church in the films (I think) but we expect him too by the few lines he says about God and his time period, or the old Spiderman one where Aunt May is praying the Lord's Prayer. It is not shoehorned in ... it is just present as a rhythm and influence of day to day today life.
Perhaps at the end of the day the reason Indy doesn't have faith is that the writer doesn't want him to have faith - a reflection more of the creator of the character than anything else. Spielberg sits uneasily with his own faith background, let alone Christianity.
Do you have any reaction to the Popcorn Cathedral material? Please offer that when you have a chance to watch the series finale! I am most interested in what we learn, from Indiana Jones movies, about Hollywood's dilemma of wanted to show miracles, etc., but not being able to make a definitive faith statement (which is, of course, making a definitive faith statement).
I think Ryan makes some excellent points. I'd just add that miracles have a poor track record as evangelistic tools. Just consider the Gospels, just performed many more healings (and feedings) than he gained followers....
I'm an Indy fan (of the original Trilogy) - It formed my childhood, I went to college to become an archaeologist because of the movies, I practiced with a bullwhip - but ended up a .... pastor. I would ask what first caused Indy to lose his faith, specifically Christian Faith he was raised in. The Jones' look to me to be Anglican or Roman Catholic (based on his Father's interests) - there is the whole 'Young Indiana Jones' TV serial, which is pretty good, but I don't remember if faith is ever addressed in it, and it shows an aged Jones. Indy did go through WWI, among other conflicts, in the series and that was a faith killer for many men of his generation, even if the supernatural is in your face, Indy must has some ptsd. I know many veterans that deal with faith issues and anger at God. I would also dig into the comics books and novels (I told you I was a fan) and see if they ever mention faith, I simply don't remember.
I suspect, partially, that Jones is also channeling Han Solo - Ford is good at the skeptic/agnostic type character. To quote Han Solo "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." I can see Indy saying something to that effect as well, replace blaster with revolver. Of course by the end of the new Star Wars stuff - Han does believe in the Force.
I think faith done well for a character has it as a background integrated in. You see that in many films - sometimes more forward, like in Gran Torino, other times not so much, as in Marvel films with Captain America - he never goes to church in the films (I think) but we expect him too by the few lines he says about God and his time period, or the old Spiderman one where Aunt May is praying the Lord's Prayer. It is not shoehorned in ... it is just present as a rhythm and influence of day to day today life.
Perhaps at the end of the day the reason Indy doesn't have faith is that the writer doesn't want him to have faith - a reflection more of the creator of the character than anything else. Spielberg sits uneasily with his own faith background, let alone Christianity.
Do you have any reaction to the Popcorn Cathedral material? Please offer that when you have a chance to watch the series finale! I am most interested in what we learn, from Indiana Jones movies, about Hollywood's dilemma of wanted to show miracles, etc., but not being able to make a definitive faith statement (which is, of course, making a definitive faith statement).
I think Ryan makes some excellent points. I'd just add that miracles have a poor track record as evangelistic tools. Just consider the Gospels, just performed many more healings (and feedings) than he gained followers....
Excellent point. Let me know what you think of the Popcorn Cathedral materials once you've had a chance to view the finale.