Gladiator

I've always been a fan of the movie "Gladiator" since its release in 2000. I watched it today for the first time in a couple of years and am even more a fan than ever. As you know (if nothing else from reading other entries in my blog), my attention the past few years (and next few years) has been and will be drawn toward atonement images and models. One of the primary metaphors early in the rich tradition is what is called "Christus Victor." I saw quite a bit of analogy between this model and the story of the movie. Christus Victor is, after all, presented as a drama; hence, it is often called the "dramatic" view of atonement/the cross.

Overlooking its historical inaccuracies, the story of the gladiator is phenomenal!! His status at the beginning is the next closest thing (commander of the armies and general to a legion) to the high seat of the King/Emperor and is designated (in private) as the one to succeed the true Emperor. The Enemy, the offspring of the Emperor, murders the Emperor after discovering he was not the designated successor. It is quite clear, in the analogy, who the Enemy is and who the Hero is. The Enemy orders the execution of the Hero, which fails and so goes the story of descent... "A general who became a slave. A slave who became a gladiator. A gladiator who defied an emperor."

The Hero (discovering the murder of his wife and son) is taken up by a slave owner who turns him into a gladiator. His true identity is concealed until meeting the Enemy (the newly acting Emperor) in the Great Arena. After another failed attempt to have the Hero killed, the Enemy decides to attempt to portray himself as merciful yet valiant by framing a contest between the two in the Arena. Before the battle, however, he stabs the Hero in the back, greatly placing the fight to his own advantage. Only he underestimates the strength and determination of the Hero who fights valiantly. Although the stabbing in the back was a death blow to the Hero, it allowed enough time for the Hero to deliver the death blow to the Villain as he died. The Victory gained liberty for those in bondage under the Enemy and established the government/kingdom as the true Emperor had wished.

It should not be allegorized too much, but analagous for sure! Hearing this story, read again:

"Who, though he was in the form of God
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped;
but made himself nothing, taking the form of a slave..."

"...the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many..."