‘That’s Scripture.’ ... It is perhaps an odd thing that in
such a visceral and disturbing film the most shocking and provocative thing,
for me, was such a simple, even throw-away remark. But it’s true. A straightforward declaration at the end of
one of his regular Lord’s Day homilies, to his assembled family and slaves,
plantation owner Edwin Epps calmly affirms not only the justification of
slavery itself but also legitimises the brutalisation of disobedience, as God’s
will.
12 Years a Salve is full of scripture, whether it be those
regular garden party services, grave-side Psalmic despair or slave sung
spirituals, God’s word is employed, or implored, with astonishing, and
disturbing, variety. But who to believe, and why?
In other, related, news, Steve Chalke has recently called
for a ‘global discussion’ on what exactly scripture is and means, as if anyone
who is remotely interested has not been troubled by such things before. (I’m
inclined to agree with Steve Holmes’ puzzlement that such a debate might be
thought ‘new’) Certainly in my 20 years
of pastoral ministry I’ve become increasingly convinced that there is now,
perhaps more than ever, no more pressing need for anyone who wants the claims
of God’s kingdom to be taken seriously, whether in the hospital ward, the
School Assembly or in the pulpit, than that Scripture is understood aright.
So what contribution to this crucial hermeneutical task does
this particular piece of cinema make? Most
obviously, it reinforces the age old truth that history is written by the
winners. The prevailing understanding of God, in any culture, is what the rich,
powerful and influential would have us hear him say. When ’Scripture’ serves vested interest, especially
economic interest, we ought always to be extra careful. I was reminded of the challenge of Liberation
Theology to take hold instead of what it called the ‘hermeneutical privilege ofthe poor’.
For me though, the crucial contribution is much more
cinematic. The deliberate, graphic,
intentional violence, to shock, assert authority and humiliate is rare, even in
contemporary films. One parallel seems
obvious though. Perhaps the only
modern-day equivalent of the flogging scenes in ’12 years a Slave’ are those
presented in Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion of the Christ’. And there we have it, in action not words,
story not doctrine, ‘the word of God made flesh’ and that flesh ripped apart by
those with the power to do so. That’s Scripture.
