The Changeling as Bible College

I imagine men of faith, church builders, modern day Pharisees, and hen-pecked ministry types of all sorts will have an uncomfortable moment or two if they ever sit down to watch Clint Eastwood's The Changeling. Granted, Clint Eastwood's moral compass isn't always pointing to true north. (You have to wonder about someone who can't even find moral clarity in the Old West or World War II.) Still, Eastwood's depiction of Presbyterian Pastor Gustav Briegleb, played by John Malkovich, will raise the hackles of the pastoral crowd who believe Jesus should be locked away in chains until the fund-raising and the church-growth effort is complete.



Sit down, folks; you might find this disturbing: Pastor Briegleb believes in a Jesus who "hungers and thirsts after righteousness." When a corrupt Los Angeles Police Department won't admit its mistake in returning the wrong boy to a distressed mother--and locks her away with a trumped up charge of insanity--the pastor comes to her aid. Eastwood's version of Breigleb even takes the case to the radio waves, naming names and demanding the termination of police officials who have abused their authority.

Granted, Hollywood ignores the historical record in other respects. The living Briegleb was also a campaigner against licentiousness, both on the streets and in film, but the boldness of taking a Christian gospel to the very gates of power is a disturbing one to the Rick Warren generation of Christian sycophants--who believe, above all, we need to be "civil." The sanctuary full of hoppin', rockin' Christian praise-bangers calls for a "smooth things" kind of sermon that tickles ears and empties wallets. How are they supposed to feel the glow if the pastor is calling corrupt officials "corrupt?"

That's not very civil, or friendly. That seems something like an affront.

..sort of like the gospel itself.