The Book of Eli & St. Francis' Dictum

"Preach the Gospel, and sometimes use Words" in my mind comes close to capturing one of the
levels of this film, and the other levels are equally well done.  What is amazing to me is the depth of a number of films in the last few years and their ability to enable serious spiritual/philosophical discussions.  I would add "The Road" to this list, but I read that compelling Pulitizer Prize book
back in the 70s.  The use of Frank Herbert's prophetically seeing the present as future (Dune Messiah), and Ray Bradbury's civilization destruction through book burning, and renewal through "gathering" (Fairenheit 451) in a Christian perspective was incredibly well done, and ultimately surprising at the very end.

Here is the story that no Christian leader would dare communicate yet which a very significant portition of post-christendom will be exposed to.  This is the kind of story that I've heard at bars from veterans about their experiences in Vietnam and elsewhere, from parents who had to let their children "go", experiences of profound moral challenge that only the distinctive knowledge and relationship to the Holy Other, and the sense of the unholy enemy's presence would allow a choice to be taken.

For Eli there was no two world view, his faith was fully integrated into his present actions, and
his simple prayer enough to affect a prostituting woman who wanted immediately to share it with someone in her family that she loved.

Walter Bruegemann's concept of "preaching to exiles" works for me as one who is in exiled here in postchristianity, exiled from the country and culture that once was.  Traditional preaching is only (and barely) relevant to the house of the redeemed, there is little relevance to the larger community, "testimony as a decentered mode of preaching" in Bruegemann's parlance IS relevant.

Eli represents a testimony in a form that is comprehendible to the current culture, and like Batman The Dark Knight has the ability to cause someone "to abandon the script in which one has had confidence."  Thinking of the Parables in their upsidedown'edness for the audience (or Amos for the coming downside, or Jeremiah on the coming downside, and then later on the upside by buying a field) certainly appears to be attention focusing, and preconception shredding.

Eli is a cultural portal, hopefully we can use it.