A man with no name wanders across a barren desert. He forages for food and supplies. He doesn’t pick fights, but he certainly settles them. We’ve seen these vistas before, but not with as much punch or panache. The Book of Eli is stylish and smart, a post-apocalyptic western perfectly suited for our era of economic reassessment. It offers a heroic version of Christian faith in action, defending a rare and endangered Word of God. The Book of Eli rocks, rolls and delivers a whopping dose of soul.

Denzel Washington offers a laconic and athletic performance as Eli. He is a man of few words. He tries to avoid conflict. But when threatened, he responds with considerable force. Those who push him too far may suddenly find themselves missing a limb. Denzel joins a long line of iconic cinematic cowboys like Toshiro Mifune’s samurai in Yojimbo, Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack, and Clint Eastwood’s Outlaw Josey Wales.

The Book of Eli earns its R-rated with bursts of shocking violence. Some Christians may find it too coarse or profane. But it is also remarkably faith affirming. Eli is a righteous warrior, a man on a mission, dialed into God’s call. He will not be deterred from his calling to protect the book, The Book, the Holy Bible. The film has echoes of the Old Testament in its grim surroundings, its struggle for survival, and its bloody, high stakes battle over a holy document. It takes us back to first things. How should we live? Who should be in charge? What happens when there are not enough supplies to go around? The Book of Eli presents a grim picture of humanity. Yet, amidst the post apocalyptic wasteland, Eli represents a glimmer of hope. I wrote a Bible study guide (with downloadable clips!) for the film. Find it here.

The Book of Eli shows what happens if justice takes a holiday. Everyone is forced to scavenge to survive. Even worse, what if leaders willingly deceive the public? Is there a norming norm to call us back to order? We desperately need the wisdom and inspiration found in God’s word. Yet, The Book of Eli also suggests that the Bible can be dangerous and explosive. In the wrong hands, it could become a tool of deception and domination. Gary Oldman co-stars as the ruthless self anointed sheriff, Carnegie. He rules a frontier town through intimidation. Carnegie sends out a posse in search of books. And what does he do with the works of art and literature his gangs round up? Burns them. The Book of Eli affirms the power of words—for good or evil.

Solara (Mila Kunis) and her mother, Claudia (Jennifer Beals) are caught in the middle, trying to survive under Carnegie’s reign of terror. They dream of a better place and long for a different way of being. Solara has only experienced fear and domination–until Eli walks into town. He offers a viable alternative, rooted in prayer, gratitude and cooperation. Solara is intrigued by such refreshing ways of relating to each other.

The Book of Eli shows what happens if justice takes a holiday. Everyone is forced to scavenge to survive. Even worse, what if leaders willingly deceive the public? Is there a norming norm to call us back to order? We desperately need the wisdom and inspiration found in God’s word. Yet, The Book of Eli also suggests that the Bible can be dangerous and explosive. In the wrong hands, it could become a tool of deception and domination. Gary Oldman co-stars as the ruthless self anointed sheriff, Carnegie. He rules a frontier town through intimidation. Carnegie sends out a posse in search of books. And what does he do with the works of art and literature his gangs round up? Burns them. The Book of Eli affirms the power of words—for good or evil.

The Book of Eli shows what happens if justice takes a holiday. Everyone is forced to scavenge to survive. Even worse, what if leaders willingly deceive the public? Is there a norming norm to call us back to order? We desperately need the wisdom and inspiration found in God’s word. Yet, The Book of Eli also suggests that the Bible can be dangerous and explosive. In the wrong hands, it could become a tool of deception and domination. Gary Oldman co-stars as the ruthless self anointed sheriff, Carnegie. He rules a frontier town through intimidation. Carnegie sends out a posse in search of books. And what does he do with the works of art and literature his gangs round up? Burns them. The Book of Eli affirms the power of words—for good or evil.

Solara (Mila Kunis) and her mother, Claudia (Jennifer Beals) are caught in the middle, trying to survive under Carnegie’s reign of terror. They dream of a better place and long for a different way of being. Solara has only experienced fear and domination–until Eli walks into town. He offers a viable alternative, rooted in prayer, gratitude and cooperation. Solara is intrigued by such refreshing ways of relating to each other. 

The Book of Eli is well timed for our economic depression. We’re reassessing our values. As directors, The Hughes Brothers drain almost all signs of life, color and comfort out of the landscape. Their cinematic world is harsh, bleak, burned over. The sharp script by Gary Whitta causes us to consider what things are worth. What matters in a world where food and water is in short supply? How much would you exchange for a few minutes of musical comfort? Can the soulful sounds of Al Green heal the most broken heart? The Book of Eli challenges us to be grateful for life’s simple pleasures.

The creative team at Alcon Entertainment has demonstrated the same faith fueled taste that rocketed their surprise hit, The Blind Side, to box office glory. They make Christian conviction cool. It earns the poster tag line “BeELIve.” But The Book of Elinever devolves into preachiness. Eli is a reluctant warrior who walks without fear. In a cruel world, he demonstrates that a sword can be wielded with holy restraint.