A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT (1992)

Directed by: Robert Redford
Written by: Richard Friedenberg
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Starring: Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer, Tom Skerritt
Rated: PG

About the film:
Two sons of contrasting temperaments are growing up in Montana in the early 1900s. The one bond they share, besides the familial relationship, is their love of fly-fishing which has been conveyed to them by their father, a Presbyterian minister.

Movie Quote:
“My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him, all good things, trout as well as eternal salvation, came by grace and grace came by art, and art does not come easy.”
Narrator (Robert Redford) in A River Runs Through It (1992)

Bible Quote:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17 (NIV)

Commentary:
The narrator’s father has it half right. As we can see in the book of James, all good things do come by grace – the grace of God, our Father. But grace doesn’t come from art unless that happens to be God’s nickname (as in the punch line of the old children’s joke, “God who is Art in heaven.”)

Grace is God’s unmerited favor to man. The blessings which He bestows upon us are undeserved by us. We do not earn them by our works. What He gives to us (eternal life, sonship rights, and spiritual abilities to manifest His power) He gives because He loves us despite our flaws and frailties.

We do not earn His gift by our works. But neither are we to stop working altogether. Just as He is motivated by love to extend grace to us, He desires that we will, because of the love we have for Him, live our lives in ways that are pleasing to Him.

Contrary to the narrator’s quote, grace actually comes easy. It is freely given of God. It is the responding to that grace by heeding God’s exhortations and direction that can sometimes be hard, especially at the beginning. It gets easier the more we do it.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Fly-fishing, in this film, is said to be an analogy for life. In what ways is this true? Does the analogy hold up when compared to the scriptures?
2. The two brothers, raised in the same environment, have very different personalities and traits. What motivates each and what were the consequences of their individual actions? What does this say about the “cause and effect” principle of life?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com