Die Hard 2.0 with Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney
This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we give you Christmas in August with Die Hard starring Bruce Willis. While many set this up as a conflict between John McClean and Hans, we discuss the contrast between John and Ellis. The key difference is John knew and understood his enemy, while Ellis’ overconfidence and ignorance cost him his life. Welcome to the party pal—let’s discuss God’s truth in this movie.
Paul and Britt discuss how Argyle is a picture of many of us. Don’t miss out on the larger story!
Quotes
Crisis reveals our character, and what is most important.
We feel unqualified for the bigger story because our lives are so messed up. But through engaging in the bigger story, God heals our hearts and confirms our identity.
God’s not the big pooper-scooper, walking around behind us cleaning up our messes.
The problem is not with the other person. Your spouse is not the enemy.
All the problems I had last year, I don’t have this year. You can’t let your problems, which are transient, dictate how you react to things.
Our job as leaders is to help people discover who they were meant to be.
Themes
John McLean is out of his element until the terrorists show up.
Contrast between John and Ellis
John: uncomfortable with the limo and business environment, has a sense of right and wrong, understands the enemy, resourceful, creative,
Ellis: thrives in the business world, values luxury, amoral, suckup, doesn’t understand the enemy or John, arrogant, tries to manipulate and control his environment and the people around him.
John and Holly are both “tough as nails.” Fighting with each other because they don’t know the truth until they see the true enemy. God uses their fight to put them where they need to be.
Hans as an example of our enemy: goes after our identity, lies, steals, kills, destroys. Attacks his resources and his family. Attacks are personal.
Al as an image of the church: takes a drastic measure to make him aware of the situation, awareness makes him a target, can’t go alone, help us when we run through broken glass.
Resources
Men at the Movies YouTube channel (@menatthemovies)
The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
James 1: rejoice when put into crisis.
Dan Allender, like hearted kings
Chaos can’t
Questions
What crises have you gone through?
How has crisis revealed your character? How did it reveal what was most important?
What events do you wish you had a do-over for?
When have you felt like “I don’t like who I was in that moment?” How can you do it different next time?
What jobs are only yours to do?
Where do you need to apologize to your wife? Your kids? Your friends?
More info
If you would like to support our work (and get some behind-the-scenes perks), visit our Patreon page, www.patreon.com/menatthemovies. Get invites to livestreams, ebook devotionals drawn from a movie, even free merch. If you’d like to do a one-time contribution (a cameo appearance), visit www.menatthemovies.com/investors.
Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster (https://graysonfoster.com/)
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston (https://ianhjohnston.com/)
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: