The Bourne Identity with Paul McDonald, Troy and Stacy Hooker

Written By Paul McDonald

Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, I talk with Troy and Stacy Hooker about the Bourne Identity. This movie reveals two of our greatest desires: to discover who we are and to be really good at something. Even though Jason couldn’t remember his past, his actions revealed his true identity. If we stay here, we die. Join me on the journey as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

About Troy and Stacy 

As followers of Jesus and former teachers, Troy and Stacy Hooker founded Descendant Publishing in 2019 with the vision of producing epic fiction and fantasy books and media for youth and adults. With the books they publish, they also aim to provide creative companion workbooks to help readers increase their literacy skills.  

Aside from taking on the role of managing editor for Descendant Publishing, Troy is also the author of the Descendants of Light series, a young adult fantasy epic trilogy about a boy that discovers that he has been given the gift of light to fight against dark beings from another world. Troy also has a new series coming out this year called "The Demon Tide," and hopes that books one and two will be available by fall. 

Stacy is the design editor for Descendant Publishing, and also manages an Etsy shop of handmade items and zero-waste kitchen goods. 

They love the outdoors and often seek God in the quieter places of life. You can find Troy and Stacy traveling in their converted school bus, searching for elusive mushrooms or quiet beaches in the woods of Michigan. 

Quotes

  • When our efforts are motivated by pride, we do things we wouldn’t normally do.

  • Bourne is a dangerous man, but he’s not dangerous to Marie.

  • We need to say, “Come as you are.” But we can’t stay there.

  • Sometimes it takes a reality challenging event to make us change and grow.

 Themes

  • Two great desires:

    • Identity

      • He knows what he can do, but not who he is

      • The purpose of the growth is to discover who we are.

      • He spent the whole movie learning who he is, but who he was in the movie isn’t who he was before the boat. Marie knew more about who he was than anyone else.

      • Reflects a new believer—“I know who I was, but I’m not sure who I am.”

    • Competencies

      • We want to be really good at something

      • Is it pride (crowing in our own glory)? Desperate to prove ourselves.

      • Or is it more childlike, like something we want God to put it on the fridge?

      • Are we using our gifts to serve ourself, or for God/others?

      • Based on our relationship to God.

  • “If we stay here we die.” Reveals our need to mature and grow. Can be redeemed, but not grow in faith. We focus on the starting point of salvation, but need to teach how to grow. It might take a partner or friend to remind us, keep us from staying in a bad place.

  • Bourne as a reflection of a new believer’s experience.

Resources

Questions

  • In the top five movies that you love to watch, what common themes emerge? What do those themes reveal about who you are called to be?

  • When emotions flash, what’s behind that?

  • What do you run after to feel loved?

  • When do you feel like a bear on fire?

  • Who can you be open and honest with?

  • Who are you learning from?

  • Who do you want to be in ten years? How can you take steps in that direction?

More info

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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster

Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston

Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).

Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.

Links:

Paul McDonald
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