Spoiler Alert……. I’m going to tell you how the movie ends.
This is arguably Clint Eastwood’s best movie…..by far.
If you’ve never seen it, stop…….watch it and then return to this post.
Gran Torino, at its heart, is the story of the battle between good and evil. It is the story of the battle between God and Satan and it addresses a common idea held by Christians that I think we need to explore.
Who is more powerful?
Who is in charge?
God or Satan.
Just how powerful is Satan.
First off, let me be clear…..God is more powerful…..God is in charge. But…….many Christians act as though they believe Satan is far more powerful than he actually is.
Satan is the incarnation of evil. He is evil…… with an agenda. His work is not random, he pursues a carefully planned long range goal. But, the limits of his power are clearly defined. Satan can only go as far as God allows. This in most evident in the conversations between God and Satan in the beginning of the book of Job. Satan can only harm Job to the extent that God allows. Satan clearly has some autonomy……but………he operates on a leash. And that leash is firmly in God’s hand. Sometimes, it seems that the leash is very long……..but it is there.
Bad things happen…….every day.
Evil unfolds……..every day.
Satan acts……..every day……..but only within the limits that God has imposed on him.
Christians tend to blame every bad thing in our world on Satan……and no doubt he is behind a lot of it. But, I think we tend to give him far too much credit. Remember, he is limited…..by God. He can only go as far as God allows.
Think of the battle between good and evil as a chess game between God and Satan. God advances his queen……Satan takes the queen, kills her. This is a huge tactical win for Satan, it shows his power, he gains points, God is severely weakened. The odds makers in Vegas shift their money to bet on Satan. It looks like Satan has the situation in hand. But, 20 moves later, God advances a pawn, leans forward……..and says check. Satan loses. Mate.
Here is the point.
The disastrous loss of God’s queen, it turns out, was not an indication of Satan’s skill or strength. It doesn’t mean that Satan is a better chess player. It was all a part of God’s plan. The crucifixion of Christ was not an indication of Satan’s power……it was part of God’s plan.
Many of the disastrous things that happen in our world are not due to Satan masterfully executing his plan……they are God working things through.
Back to Gran Torino.
A truly evil street gang relentlessly attacks an immigrant family. The hero has a plan……he knows that the gang doesn’t stand a chance against him. The hero sets it up so that the gang kills him…..in front of dozens of witnesses……just as the police arrive. The death of the hero, it turns out, does not prove the mastery of the gang. It is a win for the hero. His death, on the surface, looks like a disaster. But, in fact, it is the hero working through his plan. His death is the key to the destruction of the gang. Just as Christ’s death is the key to the destruction of sin……and, ultimately, the destruction of Satan.
So……..when disaster strikes……be patient. Remember, God is sovereign. Remember that he is working out a plan…..a plan for your good……..because he loves you and cares for you…….even if you can’t see it.
Remember………Satan doesn’t stand a chance.
The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he(Job) has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger .” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
God allowing but limiting Satan’s first attack on Job, NIV
The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, he(Job) is in your hands; but you must spare his life .” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
God allowing but limiting Satan’s second attack, NIV
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
God, NIV