Roy Anker: Terrence Malick's "The Tree of Life"

Director Terrence Malick's new movie "The Tree of Life" is a meditation on traditional Christian questions about evil, suffering, grace, and beauty, says Calvin College professor of English Roy Anker. Watch our recent interview with him about the film. Produced by Steven Niedzielski. Special thanks to Matt Kucinski and Calvin Video Productions.

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[monk54321]

Great commentary. This and Fr Barron's commentary are very interesting. Thanks!

[Bragnanymous]

@EdOfTheNorth Rather, that is one perspective OF the Bible, by people. But not "the Biblical perspective" as though there's definitiveness or a broad consensus. Though even supposing a supernatural entity existed that could fill the role of a god, a collection of books such as the bible holds little to no credibility, as it is was designed by committee, and often cynically, with decisions of which books to include or not to include.

[Youbian]

Life is

[addictambersue]

I am not a traditional christian....and I got it. There was no mistaking the message.

[avedic]

As an atheist, I found this interpretation interesting and fitting for such a poignant and ineffable film. bravo!

[EdOfTheNorth]

The bread from heaven is the fruit which comes from the Tree of Life. Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life."- John 6:35. The Tree of Life therefore is not about people connecting with people in life and love to save and deliver each other, but is about men connecting with God and calling upon and believing that God has already come down to save and deliver all who simply believe in Him, placing their trust in His sacrifice alone, that they might live forever. This is the Biblical perspective.