Human Capacity by Stewart Perry
Like many people across the world I’ve participated in the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. For those of you who are not aware, that is watching both the Barbie move and Oppenheimer (although if you are really hardcore you do them back to back apparently – for me it was over a weekend). These 2 movies are all the buzz at the moment and seem to be breaking box office records, with Barbie leading the way.
I have to say both movies have some big questions and themes throughout them, although I must confess I did have a couple of “micro sleeps” during Barbie… it was Sunday afternoon when we saw that one…
I feel a little safer talking about Oppenheimer because of its historical foundation so there’s less risk of spoilers. Although I studied Modern History at High School and knew of the Manhattan Project, I was surprised at how much I didn’t know & have since found out a bit more by looking into Oppenheimer thanks to one of my favourite podcasts ‘The Rest Is History’.
As Christians we should be very conscious of our need to mature, grow and feed our faith by regular reading of scripture, prayer and teaching through books, podcasts and of course I would have to encourage this one: listening to sermons. However we often don’t have to go too far out of our way to encounter opportunities to mature, grow and feed our faith. We just need to develop the practice of thinking theologically about life. Every movie we watch, every news article, every recreational activity, every relational encounter can and I would argue should cause us to think about God, our purpose and our impact.
Before I explore one of the big things that emerged out of Oppenheimer, can I encourage us all to pursue the practice of “Theological Reflection”. It sounds weighty and difficult but it really isn’t that hard. It’s just bringing God into every encounter you have and allowing yourself the space to ask “what of God do I see here” or “how does this relate to what I know of God”. It’s something I continually work on and I am striving for it to become automatic… but I have a ways to go…
The big thing I have been wrestling with after seeing Oppenheimer is human capacity… we have the capacity to bring life and hope but we also have the capacity to harm and to devastate. The challenge of this movie is that often the difference between the two positions is a matter of perspective. Oppenheimer believed that by having an Atomic bomb, it could prevent war and save lives. Yet history will show he was in agreement with its use, and history clearly shows the devastation and atrocities that caused.
Life is rarely black and white and although our intentions may be honourable, they could lead to harm and devastation for others. Conversely our intentions may be self-focused but they could lead to hope and life for others. Jesus did say that rain falls on the just and the unjust and rain can bring both life and devastation.
So what are we to do? Throw our hands up in the air and just live life knowing it’s all out of our control and hope for the best? I would say we can and should do more… the parables we’ve been hearing over the last few weeks are demanding more from us… our human capacity is powerful, it matters, it makes a difference. Yes it can be mobilised and distorted to bring harm and devastation, but our human capacity is a gift from God designed to bring life and hope. And so we keep sowing the seeds, we keep living amongst the weeds, we keep searching for that treasure… especially when we experience situations of harm and devastation… that’s when human capacity matters the most.
Human capacity is often how the Holy Spirit works.
Human capacity is a gift from God.
Human capacity is best expressed in community
Human capacity is a gift we have for the benefit of others.
Human capacity is not to be underestimated. We do have the power to bring life and hope, but we also have the capacity to harm and to devastate. I pray we would seek after God continually to help us use this human capacity for the benefit of others.