While Americans rightly exult in the achievements of U.S. medalists, \u201cChariots of Fire\u201d also serves as a reminder that athletics and even patriotism only mean so much. When Liddell is informed that a qualifying heat takes place on Sunday, his Sabbath, he chooses not to compete in that race. The camera cuts from athletes at the Olympics to Liddell reading a passage in Isaiah: \u201cBehold the nations are as a drop in the bucket . . . but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings, as eagles. They shall run, and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.\u201d\u009d David Puttnam, a \u201cChariots of Fire\u201d\u009d producer, wrote me that the verses were \u201cspecifically selected by the actor, the late Ian Charleson, who gave himself the task of reading the entire Bible whilst preparing for the film.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Isaiah passage is liturgically important for Jews: Parts of it are declaimed in synagogue on the Sabbath when we read God\u2019s command to Abraham to leave the center of civilization and found a family, and a faith, in a new land. Isaiah reminds Jews that Abraham\u2019s children have encountered much worse than what Harold Abrahams experienced. While most nations now rest on the ash heap of history, the biblical Abraham\u2019s odyssey continues. The countries competing in today\u2019s Olympics come and go, while those who \u201cwait upon the Lord\u201d endure.<\/p>\n
\u201cChariots of Fire\u201d also offers a message for people of faith who have grown troubled by the secularization of society and the realization that they are often scorned by elites. Like Liddell, we may be forced to choose religious principle over social success. Hopefully, however, we will be able to use our gifts to sanctify this world. As Liddell\u2019s father told his son in the film: \u201cRun in God\u2019s name, and let the world stand back in wonder.\u201d<\/p>\n
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