Posted by
Corthell on Sunday, March 14, 2010 7:57:27 AM
''Burton has stumbled upon a clear and convincing illustration answering the classic Christian debate over God's sovereignty and man's free will.
Yeah. I must be kidding, right? But I'm not.''
Alice is confronted in Wonderland with the idea that her destiny is plotted out for her in the scroll, that her future is known (kinda like the idea that God knows and has ordained our lives). Yet Alice rejects this idea that she should be the one to slay the Jabberwocky, insisting that it's her "choice" to do what she wants, that in Wonderland she's in charge of her destiny (kinda like free will).
But every step Alice takes, even the steps to run away from the scroll's will for her life, lead her unknowingly down the path the scroll has laid out. Alice has complete free will, and yet is completely within the scroll's will all at the same time.
In the climax of the film, Alice has at last come to the moment in her life's story (er, scroll) where she is supposed to take up the sword and slay the Jabberwocky:
"You cannot live to please others," the White Queen tells her. "The choice must be yours."
At the risk of spoiling the story's end, suffice it to say, Alice chooses the will of the scroll, and thus the scroll's will be done.
It's an intriguing picture of an old theological debate.
Alas, the twisted Burton does go on to muddy the waters, making "Alice in Wonderland" a mixed bag of messages. For right as it appears a sunbeam of God's truth might penetrate the dreary world of Wonderland, the White Queen tells Alice , "When you step out to face that creature, you will step out alone."
Oops. So much for the divine metaphor.
For when we step out to face our Jabberwockies, when we choose to follow the plan God has given each of us, we most certainly do not step out on our own. God promises he will never leave us or forsake us, but even indwell the believer for every step of our journey.
Thus, I would contend that there is great comfort in Wonderland's resolution. Does God's rule over our lives, every day written in his book, mean we are hopelessly fated to some path beyond our own choosing? Not in Wonderland. Does our exercise of free will mean we need to walk on eggshells fearing we're walking outside of God's will? Not in Wonderland.
No, in Wonderland, we can make our choices and rest in God's sovereignty all at the same time. And, if I may be so bold, such a comfort exists, not only in Wonderland. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=127269