In his book “Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible,” Michael F. Bird discusses the debate over the Bible’s inerrancy. He notes the ongoing rivalry within evangelical circles, which says, “Some people preach the inerrancy of the Scriptures, but what they really mean is the inerrancy of their interpretation of Scripture.”
This came to mind when I watched the new film “The Order,” directed by Justin Kurzel.
The story begins with the arrival of Terry Husk, played by Jude Law, into a small FBI office in a backwater office in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Husk once worked in New York, which gave him experience with organized crime in the city. He also investigated Ku Klux Klan activity.
As he settles into what seems like a demotion, he stumbles upon fliers for the Aryan Nation being circulated around town.
After Husk brings this up to the sheriff, played by Philip Granger, the sheriff downplays it. However, Deputy Jamie Bowen, played by Tye Sheridan, speaks up and confirms that the Aryan Nation has a presence nearby.
This leads to Husk taking on Bowen as an assistant to find out about this group in the county.
While this is going on, a power struggle within the White Power movement in that region occurs. Several well-organized bank robberies take place under the leadership of Bob Matthews (Nicolas Hoult), working with a splinter group called The Order.
Matthews is following a playbook. That book is “The Turner Diaries, ” a work of fiction written by William Pierce. The book outlines a six-step process for overthrowing the federal government. Matthews has read this and believes in it. His thought process is guided by it.
The story includes a minister named Richard Butler, played by Victor Slezak. Butler leads a church called the Church of Jesus Christ-Christian and is the ideological godfather of the White Power movement.
Husk goes to meet Butler at his compound, where Butler accuses Husk of being a member of a cult–the federal government. Here, we see the introduction of “The Turner Diaries” as part of Butler’s religious beliefs.
This gets the book into Bowen’s hands and leads to the discovery of how all the crimes going on in the area are connected.
There is a chilling scene when Butler goes to Matthews and tells him he needs to stop all the robberies and crimes going on in the name of the movement. Butler says that if Matthews is patient, the movement will be accepted. In about ten years, there will be representatives in the House and senators in the Senate.
That word looks to be true today.
Matthews refuses and continues to pursue the steps outlined in “The Turner Diaries.”
At the heart of this story is the issue of the inerrancy of scripture.
Butler proclaims that the Bible says that the Jews are not God’s chosen ones; those racialized as white are. The way scripture gets twisted to fit their ideology is evident.
The understanding is that it is not what the Bible says, but rather what I say the Bible says. Any other given is not truly the word of God. This leads to finding other sources to implement that ideology and, where “The Turner Diaries” comes into play.
“The Order” is a powerful movie. I was moved by Jude Law’s portrayal of a broken man still trying to find redemption, striving to be relevant after being pushed aside.
Nicholas Hoult is equally wonderful. The close-up shots of his eyes reveal the rage within him but also the pathos of a man dedicated to a cause.
The story is a police procedure, following the steps of unraveling the ball of twine that is the White Power movement in the Pacific Northwest. It is easy to follow, but violence is a large part of the story. It is one of the best films of the year.
Directed by Justin Kurzel
Written by Zach Baylin, based on the book by Gary Gerhardt and Kevin Flynn
Jude Law: Terry Husk
Nicholas Hoult: Bob Matthews
Tye Sheriden: Jamie Bowen
Victor Slezak: Richard Butler
Rated R for strong violence and language throughout.
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Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is married and has two boys. His love is for movies, and he can be found in a theater most Fridays.
