Defining "Me"

Memorable line from Batman Begins,

It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.

I'm afraid too many Christians will watch the movie and say, "NO.  It's who I am, a Christian.  That's what defines me."  Just because I consider myself something doesn't make it so.  Jesus said a tree is known by its fruit.

Comments

[Lee]

Ironic, isn't it? We're taught so often that it's not what people think of you or how they view you, but how you feel about yourself...

[Joe Thorn]

Man, I was going to blog on that very line from the movie. Cool thing about that line is that Bruce had to learn that himself. My Batman post will have to wait until after the convention.

[Scot McKnight]

You've got it here brother. That is why the assessment folks in education today want to know what we can "do" rather than just what we "know" or "think."

[Steve McCoy]

Great point Joe, and I look forward to your post.

Thanks Scot.

[Mike]

"Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies; for as he thinks within himself, so he is." - Pr 23.6-7a

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." - Mt 15.18-19

Whose quotes should I follow? Solomon's? Jesus'? Batman's?

Your point is well-made and well-taken, but of course must be balanced: our behavior matters greatly - "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." (Jn 13.17) - but it reflects the heart. We don't have to choose between heart and hands but we should (as you point out) stress behavior in a culture that is too comfortable with merely thinking about doing the right thing.

Besides, don't you think Batman's behavior reflected what was in his heart? I thought so, especially since he was conflicted at times and struggled to do the right thing the right way. I'm glad the situation with Ducard/Ra's Al Ghul turned out as it did!