In The Book of Eli Denzel Washington protects the last Bible. People can no longer read. There is a void of culture in society, a void of truth, and there is one overarching theme.
Those who control the truth hold power. People will come for the words, for guidance, for an explanation of their brokenness and where to turn for rescue.
They want to know want to live for.
This question of purpose means little to those of us who can busy ourselves with comfort, but it means everything when comfort is removed. Hence this world of Eli.
Hence the Middle Ages: People showing up to churches, wanting to hear words from the Holy Scriptures, a book the priests control and the people do not have access to. This control turned to corruption and the church began to charge people for forgiveness. The practice was called indulgences, pay the church and your sins are wiped away. You can’t get more cruel and godless.
The movie and the Middle Ages reveals one thing – those who hold truth hold power. The rest of society is waiting to hear.
I had a good conversation with my wife after watching this about a month ago. Cool movie, and nice insight.