The Ordinary Radicals
I had the opportunity recently to see the documentary The Ordinary Radicals. It was excellent – I highly recommend that you check it out. For some reason I went in to the film with low expectations. I was expecting a low-budget, low-quality film. I was wrong. Jamie Moffett (director) and his crew working on the film did a great job. It may have been low-budget but it’s definitely high-quality. Basically, The Ordinary Radicals follows Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw on their Summer 2008 Jesus for President Tour. The film follows their trip across the country, includes clips of them speaking, interviews with Claiborne and Haw, interviews with various Christian speakers and leaders (Brian McLaren, Jim Wallis, Becky Garrison, Tony Compolo, etc.), and spotlights of a number of groups around the country who fit into the new monastic movement.
You should probably check out this film based on what I’ve already said, but the next point is what really interested me. The director of the film, Jamie Moffett, is actually not a Christian. It sounds like he comes from a Christian background and even had some role in the early Simple Way community with Shane Claiborne. However, it is made clear both in the film and on the film’s website that Moffett no longer considers himself a Christian. I thought this added a whole other element of respect for the individuals and groups highlighted in the documentary. Obviously, Moffett sees these Christians as a hopeful movement for change, not only within Christianty, but for our world. I have to agree with him.
Go check it out. And if you live in Waco, I’d be glad to let you borrow my copy.
