|  FUNDAMENTAL
CORRECTNESS
In the original book, The Sum of All Fears, the center of conflict
is the Middle East, where a nuclear weapon falls into the hands
of terrorists. The bomb is planted on American soil in the midst
of an escalation in tension with Russia. The Muslim terrorists seek
to rekindle cold war animosity in order to prevent reconciliation
between the Israelis and Palestinians.
In
a very kind and courteous tip of the hat to Muslim-American concerns
of being all too often portrayed as terrorists, the producers of
Sum of All Fears changed the villains from Middle-East terrorists
into European Neo-Nazis. Moreover, the film never mentions the conflict
between Israelis and Palestinians. This decision was made before
9/11. Had the film begun production after 9/11, perhaps these changes
would not have been made.
Be
that as it may, this film speaks to the very real concerns that
we all have regarding certain fundamentalists in various religious
and political groups. Because fundamentalists believe that they
are right, and that others are wrong, it follows that they might
believe that their 'god' or political 'correctness' gives them grounds
to kill others. We see it all the time in today's chaotic world,
from the suicide terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in
New York to bus explosions in Israel.
Additionally,
haven't most of us wondered, "What if a terrorist group acquired
an atomic bomb?" This is what the story is all about.
 THE
VOICE OF REASON
Jack Ryan is the voice of reason in this story. World leaders are
portrayed as not listening to this rational voice. Rather, they
submit to their worst fears and act irrationally. Jack is the "prophet
without honor."
 History
is filled with such world leaders, people who have led the world
into barbarous wars and carnage. This film speaks to the fallen-ness
of the human race.
Indeed
one of the problems of the world is the fact that it is governed
by elected officials (people with the resources for successful campaigns),
as well as by dictators and fundamentalists. As much as I prefer
our democratic form of government -I do not trust all elected officials.
All
humans are capable of wrongdoing. In fact, as the Bible observes,
"no one is righteous" and indeed, "all we like sheep
have gone astray."
 ONLY
BY GRACE ARE HUMANS SAVED
The film also speaks to the fact that there are some "good
guys" out there that do make a difference. And thank God for
them.
 Jack
is not portrayed as a perfect human, but rather, as a person who
wants to make a difference. Committed and concerned about others,
he is a symbol of grace.
In
the book, Jack is married and committed to his family, which he
struggles to keep together (a parallel to the world conflict). In
the film, Jack is single and committed to his fiancée (a
parallel to his commitment to world harmony).
 A
HIGHER POWER?
The film makes no reference to assistance from a higher power at
all. However, the film reminds us that the world is fragile, and
that humans are fallible. Despite these facts we somehow do survive.
For me this is a reminder of the God that works behind the scenes,
keeping the world alive, yet without depriving us personal choice,
independent action ...and ultimate accountability.
It
is a reminder of how God works in our lives --behind the scenes
on our behalf. We cannot see God, but somehow we know God is there.
The
world is safe because God cares and works mysteriously through people
like Jack Ryan and Bill Cabot. Perhaps, through you. Awesome! |
SUM
OF ALL FEARS
