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Bond. James Bond: The Bible Study. Could James be St. James?!
Orginally published on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 10:17 AM
by Todd Rhoades
Benjamin Pratt says that he's discovered a great deal of literary evidence that Ian Fleming intentionally wove major spiritual themes into his novels, and his new James Bond Bible Study is a "key unlocking secrets Fleming hid in plain sight—but that Bible study groups, until now, would not have dared to discuss".
Here's an excerpt from Pratt's website:
My pilgrimage in cracking the 007 Code sometimes felt as though I was caught up in the pages of a novel. In August, 2000, I was bicycling for ten days around Lake Champlain in northern Vermont. One unseasonably cool evening in a small clapboard motel tucked back from the highway amidst birch and pine trees, I did what I often do when I am alone in such a setting. I reached for the Gideon Bible, which lay alone in the small drawer of the pine bedside table. I flipped through the pages of this well-worn book with a scuffed blue cover to a short letter, called the Epistle of James. I was startled to the point of shaking when I read the opening words:
“James, a bond servant…” (James 1:1)
Sleep was not restful that night, nor was riding properly balanced the next day. I had come here with two couples to get away from the mental stresses of my life, to push and test my muscles, to soak up the beauty of nature, to drink a little beer, eat good food and laugh with good friends. I am a former pastor who has spent my life chasing links between the spiritual and the profane. This journey to Vermont was to have been a little oasis – not a life-changing confrontation with one of my greatest quarries: the Bond of fiction and the Bond of moral and spiritual reflection. Yet there lay the words on this little page in this out-of-the-way inn: “James, a bond servant…”
He continues…
“My mind raced: Could there be any connection? Why had I not seen this before? I knew that Felix Leiter, Bond’s CIA sidekick, referred to 007 as “St. James” on more than one occasion.”
I think we may have discovered a new C. S. Lewis here!
What’s next, I wonder?!
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There are 14 Comments:
Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
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Post Your Comments:Some of us have been aware of this “Fleming Code” conspiracy for years; but we are a secret organization and could not speak of these things publicly…
“I was startled to the point of shaking when I read the opening words: “James, a bond servant…” (James 1:1) “
I’m sorry, but that’s just horrible. If that is the kind of biblical understanding and contextual use from which we derive sermon series and Bible studies, it’s no wonder why things are going downward.
I remember the days when the Bible was interesting and enlightening enough to where we didn’t have to dig through every modern trend or fad to keep people in the churches. And, thankfully, there are still some churches out there today that rely on the Bible and not entertainment to share the Gospel.
--
CS
LOL @RevJeff
Hey, thanks for the “shout out” on Bond. I worked with Dr. Pratt on the book and, yeah, there’s some dramatic language in some sections of the book--on the other hand I’m teaching a pilot Bible study group with the book in Ann Arbor and we doubled our class size and it really engaged folks.
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Hey, I do hear you loud and clear on back flips folks can do with popular culture! All I can say is—Dan Brown and Ben Pratt aren’t twins separated at birth. Ben’s got some real-deal reflections here on faith and the troubled world we face.
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Thanks for spreading the word. Take a look at what the book says and you’ll find some solid stuff in the week-to-week reflections. We’re finding it appeals especially to men who rarely feel drawn to Bible studies.
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Thanks!
Has April Fools come early???
What a joke
Okay, we actually did a series this year called “the bond of the Bible”, basically using Bond as a starting point for the idea that James is the “action figure” of the New Testament (put your faith into action, get it?)
Our SP came out the first week in a tuxedo and poured his water into a huge martini glass…
but that was the extent of the connection. This might be reaching, but I wish we had had it when we did the series.
Whether anyone finds the parallels compelling or not, I find it interesting that those on this site who seem to consider themselves ‘more spiritual’ (yes, you) are the first to demean those around them. I don’t find such sarcasm and biting commentary edifying or educational at all. I heartily recommend some grace to go with your criticism. Aren’t we supposed to disagree respectfully?
Stunning post as usual. Set up everything in a brilliant way.
The connection really seems weird. The extract you posted matches so much with James Bond. The Bible might be an inspiration for Fleming, who knows?
The assumption might be very true. Every author gets inspired from one source or another, and for this case the Bible could well be an inspiration. At least, I can say the text matches very well with James Bond.
My name is band, boys band !
so funny i am !
Verry funny that topic :D
I find it interesting that those on this site who seem to consider themselves ‘more spiritual’ are the first to demean those around them. I don’t find such sarcasm and biting commentary edifying or educational at all.
I remember the days when the Bible was interesting and enlightening enough to where we didn’t have to dig through every modern trend or fad to keep people in the churches. And, thankfully, there are still some churches out there today that rely on the Bible and not entertainment to share the Gospel.
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