"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 2:4, RSV)

When Ryan, Paige, Matthew, and Peter were much younger, our family watched many movies for children and youth. A good number of them were enjoyable and entertaining enough. Some were even morally educational. On the other hand, a few of them were just tolerated and endured by the parents of the household. A year or so ago, the father of the family declared, half in jest and half in protest, "I am not going to watch any more green-guy movies." (You can guess what "green-guy movies" are: movies with "green guys" running, or slinking, around.)

Recently, the Women of the Church organized a movie night and watched "Amazing Grace." You will recall that "Amazing Grace" is a film about the life, work, and times of William Wilberforce (1759-1833).

A Britisher who converted to Jesus Christ, became a very devout disciple of Christ, and sensed a call to ordained ministry, Wilberforce was convinced by John Newton, who penned the words to the hymn "Amazing Grace," to put his Christian commitment to work in the political arena, in Parliament. In 1787, after taking Newton's challenge to heart, Wilberforce became particularly dedicated to issues related to the slave trade. For 20 years, he worked to pass a bill that outlawed the slave trade of English companies; such legislation passed in 1807. Then, for over 25 years, he labored to legally abolish slavery throughout the British Empire; such a bill passed in 1833, shortly before his death. The story of William Wilberforce is a story of Christian persistence in pursuit of the good and in opposition to evil.

"Amazing Grace," the movie, gives a believable, engaging, educational account of Wilberforce's Christian life and political career. The movie is believable because it depicts Christians as real people involved in real struggles making real decisions that have real consequences. It does not have a sentimental, fairy-tale, everything-works-out-without-disappointment quality. The movie is engaging because it invites its viewers to draw parallels with contemporary social and political struggles. It is not fiction that allows viewers to escape into unreality for a couple of hours. And the movie is educational because it teaches history -- a slice of the history of England and a slice of the history of the Church -- and an appreciation for those men and women who have lived faithfully before us. It does not suggest, in any way, that our lives are the only lives that count.

"Amazing Grace" is a movie for adults. It is an adult movie. That claim is sure to raise an eyebrow or two. For in the usual way of thinking, an "adult movie" is racy and risque. But such a film is not really an adult movie. It is just a waste -- a waste of humanity, time, and resources. A truly adult film teaches, inspires, elevates, and ennobles its viewers.

Our time and place blesses us with discretionary time. In other words, we have some free evenings. During some of our free evenings, we will watch some movies. As Christians, we would be wise to follow St. Paul's instruction to the Philippians and watch a genuinely adult movie -- like "Amazing Grace" -- now and again. If we do, we will have the opportunity to become better Christians and better people.