One of the most powerful roles that mass media play in modern life is the ability to determine who is “cool” and who is not.
During this week’s “Crossroads” podcast (click here to tune that in), host Todd Wilken and I discussed how this “cool” factor is not just a matter of style. In the modern world, “cool” tells us who is worthy and who is unworthy, who is smart and who is not, who is wise and who is ridiculous, who is a leader worthy of trust and who is not.
That was a key factor in my post this week about Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson and the massive Sports Illustrated profile about his life and talent that didn’t seem very interested in his faith and the biblical reasons for the number on his jersey. Maybe his faith just isn’t “cool”? (Click here for “Hey SI: Is this an important fact? Why does Lamar Jackson wear the number 8 on his back?”)
With that in mind, let me do something that isn’t the norm here at GetReligion, which is turn to scripture. In this case, read the following from 1 Corinthians, chapter 3:
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the some of the coverage of the recent death of Hollywood superstar Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer at age 43. In particular, I want to praise a pair of stories at Religion News Service.
But, first, invest some time and watch the amazing commencement address Boseman delivered two years ago at his alma mater, Howard University (or scan this CNN transcript). As the speech builds, in a quiet but strong crescendo, watch Boseman’s eyes. Pay close attention as he reaches the story of how he lost one of his first acting jobs, after raising questions about his character and black stereotypes and unanswered questions connected to the role.
I shot the episode I had come in to shoot on that day. Probably the best one I did out of the three because I got one that was bothering me off my chest. I was let go from that job on the next day. I got a phone call from my agent. They decided to go another way. The questions that I asked set the producers on guard and perhaps paved the way for less stereotypical portrayal for the Black actor that stepped into the role after me.
As the Scripture says, "I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God kept it growing." God kept it growing. Yet and still, when you invest in a seed, watching it grow without you, that is a bitter pill to swallow, a bitter pill.
There were more nuggets of scripture ahead, as Boseman wrapped up his message for the graduates. But that smoothly quoted piece of 1 Corinthians is especially interesting, since he used those words so naturally and, well, we are not talking about a familiar Bible passage that might be quoted by occasional churchgoers. Is this a commencement address or a highly personal sermon?
I read quite a bit about the “Black Panther” movie, in part because it was one of the Marvel Universe films that I actually enjoyed as a quality movie. Searching online, in coverage of Boseman’s performance, I didn’t encounter references to his faith and his Baptist upbringing. Maybe that side of his life wasn’t “cool”?
Then I watched Boseman’s tribute to his mentor Denzel Washington, who privately paid the young actor’s way into a pivotal acting program at Oxford University. Note that Boseman informs the audience that Washington — the son of a Pentecostal pastor — has shown this kind of generosity to young people in a number of settings across the nation, including churches.
Washington has frequently talked about his own faith (see this “On Religion” column from 2010) and discussed how it has affected his life, his family and his career, during its ups and downs.
Watch Washington’s face, as the strikingly thin Boseman moves into the spiritual language at the end of his tribute. Looking at this video again, I suspect that — as the actor’s mentor — Washington may have been one of the few people with whom Boseman discussed his battle with cancer.
The final benediction from Boseman is noted in this piece by the Christian publication Movieguide (the feature is built on examples of the actor’s tendency to quote scripture):
While honoring Denzel Washington in 2019 with the AFI Life Achievement Award, Boseman quoted Ephesians 3:20 to the actor, “May God bless you exceedingly and abundantly more for what’s in store than He ever has before.”
As I mentioned earlier, RNS ran two fine pieces about Boseman’s faith, in the wake of his death.
The main feature was by veteran reporter Adelle Banks: “Chadwick Boseman: Man of faith in real life, ‘Black Panther’ on screen.” Here is her overture:
Chadwick Boseman, who was most known for playing the superhero in the title role of “Black Panther,” was a person of faith from childhood who shared biblical wisdom along the path of his career. .
The actor, who also portrayed baseball great Jackie Robinson, civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall and singer/dancer James Brown, died at age 43 on Friday (Aug. 28), after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.
From the impression he left on a pastor of his youth to his own words at the 2018 commencement of Howard University, his alma mater, Boseman demonstrated a Christian life that included service, overcoming stereotypes and a desire to depict strong characters.
“After his family released their statement, I realized that he was living with his illness the entire time I knew him,” said “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler in a statement. “Because he was a caretaker, a leader, and a man of faith, dignity and pride, he shielded his collaborators from his suffering. He lived a beautiful life. And he made great art.”
Readers will also want to dig into this tribute by the Rev. Tyler Burns, which was distributed by RNS: “Chadwick Boseman's faithful purpose showed from 'Black Panther' to his dignified death.” Here is an especially strong passage:
Throughout his career, Boseman continuously taught us about the idea of “purpose." After one awards show, he remarked that "purpose … is related to what God put inside you that you’re supposed to give to the world.” This was the subtext of Boseman's life, this composed faith that purpose produced. He sat with cancer patients who had no idea he shared their plight. In a Christo-centric example of sacrifice, he graciously gave to others while his body was failing him.
It is staggering to consider how much Boseman sacrificed for our collective joy. The hours of silent pain, the physical toil, the scream behind the smile. He left every ounce of his love for us in those performances. In a country built on casually snatching our lives away prematurely, he lived as a message to Black children that they can be poetry, not just prey or property.
Finally, there is one more video worthy of note, at this point.
At a public memorial event, Boseman’s former pastor — the Rev. Samuel Neely of Welfare Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C. — offered a quiet, but stirring, tribute. As he told one media source:
Pastor Neely said he saw Boseman as the same person who grew up under his teaching as a child.
“When I see him, it’s almost like seeing my own child; he’s still Chad,” the minister told WHNS-TV. “He did a lot of positive things within the church and within the community. With him singing in the choir, with him working the youth group, he always was doing something, always helping out, always serving. That was his personality.”
Watch it all.
Please let me know if there is significant coverage of this tragedy that I missed — especially coverage of the funeral.
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