Elf (part 2) with Paul McDonald, Josh Boyer, Britt Mooney, and “Fancy” Rob Whisler
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast is part 2 of our conversation about the movie Elf. This is a redemption story—Buddy left the North Pole to rescue Walter, who is on the Naughty List. It’s an adoption story—Buddy’s adoptive family has a greater power and impact than where Buddy was born. And how can we bring heaven to earth? Act like every day is Christmas. Remember there’s always room on the nice list. And sing loud for everyone to hear (even when we might not feel like it). Let’s make smiling our favorite, and discover God’s truth in this movie.
About JB and Rob
JB’s Bible and Bourbon Talk is a podcast that loves to talk about Jesus and good whiskey. JB and Rob are your co-hosts, JB is a Pastor at a church in Ohio and Rob is an Elder but has moved to North Carolina (cuz he’s a jerk). In each episode we go deeper into a sermon, then share and give our thoughts on a featured whiskey. Join us as we dig into Scripture and share some good pours. Cheers!
Visit their website for more information: jbbibleandbourbon.com/social/
Quotes
God listens to us when we worship.
This is a great adoption story.
The adopted culture impacted the natural culture.
Stories are what create intimacy.
Singing happens spontaneously from a childlike heart.
We are called to be the bridge between the natural and supernatural.
Our stories ripple across everyone we meet.
Everything we do is an overflow of our love relationship with the Father.
God’s actual goal is that we can be together.
The prayer is already happening, I just have to join in.
Themes
Redemption
Buddy left “heaven” (the North Pole) to redeem Walter, who is on the Naughty List.
It’s not too late to rescue Walter.
Buddy moves towards reconciliation and intimacy with Walter (even though he doesn’t deserve it).
This is an adoption story
Buddy’s adoptive family is more impactful than the natural culture.
Buddy isn’t bound by his natural father’s expectations.
Where do we find our identity?
The story of the prodigal son in Walter singing.
How did Buddy transform the people around him?
Shares his story, which is the truth
Listens to other people’s stories
Care for and love people where they are
Engages with the misfits and rejects
The mailroom doesn’t change him, he transforms the mailroom
Gives permission to sing
Through the power of forgiveness.
What is Buddy’s identity and purpose?
He’s not fully an elf, and not fully human—rejected by both communities
His experience is needed at the place he finds himself
Doesn’t fit in either world, but needs a foot in each in order to impact them.
He reconciles the two worlds together.
How can we bring heaven to earth?
“Act like every day is Christmas.”
“There’s always room on the nice list.” We can’t expand or diminish the Kingdom, but we can invite others in.
“The fastest way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing out loud for all to hear.” Worship lifts our spirits, even when (especially when?) we don’t feel like it.
Resources
JB’s Bible and Bourbon website: jbbibleandbourbon.com/social/
JB’s Bible and Bourbon YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JBBibleandBourbon/featured
Britt’s Kingdom over Coffee podcast: www.brittmooney.com/
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” -Romans 12:2 (NLT)
The Movies That Made Us: Elf on Netflix
“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3:28 (NLT)
“We are amphibians. We live in a natural world that has all sorts of nourishment for the human soul. Dinner with friends. Laughter. Great movie. A walk on the beach. I mean, fill your summer with that stuff. Folks like that works. It’s beauty, heals, nature heals. Yeah. Time away, all that. We live in a natural world, but we also live in a spiritual world and we are meant to move as comfortably in the spiritual as we do and the physical. But in John chapter 3, Jesus has the engagement with the Pharisee named Nicodemus, who seems like a really good guy. He’s a good hearted man. He is asking the questions and Jesus says to him, he says, how will you understand spiritual things? If you cannot even understand natural things like he’s frustrated with his refusal to be an amphibian. He is. Let me tell you why this is important because the book was born out of a prayer in the book of Ephesians in chapter 3. Where St. Paul prays for us. And he says, I pray that your creator would fill your inmost being with a new glorious strength from his spirit, that indwells within you. That is so gorgeous. That is so filled with hope because it shows us that gospel resilience is not bootstraps. This isn’t one more program gang of get your act together. Come on, be more disciplined, go to church, read your Bible. Like, like those things are helpful as part of an overall, you know, a life of wellbeing, but gospel resilience is imparted into your humanity from heaven, from God, from the kingdom of God that there are resources that come to us. And so Paul’s describing a process whereby the spirit of the living, God, inside the depths of your being right down there in your depleted reserves begins to replenish and renew you by the presence of God within you. I find that very hopeful. -John Eldredge, from https://theallendercenter.org/2022/08/resilient-spirit-a-conversation-with-john-eldredge/
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” -John 13:35 (NLT)
“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” -Romans 8:18 (NLT)
Questions
How does Buddy imitate Jesus—leaving his home to rescue someone?
How does Jesus offer intimacy to you?
How do you keep Jesus at a safe distance?
Who knows your story?
How can you ask someone their story?
How can you change the atmosphere where you are?
How often do you feel like you’re singing half a duet?
Where do you feel like you don’t belong?
How can we be “elves” in our culture?
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
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