The Gym of the Soul

Focus on the Family ^ | 11-15-2006 | Stuart Shepard

[Frumanchu]

The Gym of the Soul

by Stuart Shepard, managing editor

Rocky Balboa finds redemption. Can Rambo be next?

"No matter what, you can overcome your past," he said. "With help, if you look to God, you can overcome your past and be reborn."

Hmm. That's an interesting quote. You may be wondering who said it. Sounds like it would be from a prominent evangelical leader, or maybe someone with a powerful testimony, or perhaps a youth pastor hoping to break through to a crowded room of young people.

Or, would you believe, Rocky Balboa?

Or, to be more accurate, Sylvester Stallone, the actor who created and starred in the iconic series of films about the down-and-out boxer who became the heavyweight champion of the world — several times over several movies.

Stallone spoke of being reborn in a teleconference with pastors and religious leaders concerning the faith elements of the unlikely sixth movie that's due out Dec. 22.

And, OK, I'll admit, it's my personal favorite series of movies. Except, perhaps for that fifth one that never should have been made. Yes, I own the DVD boxed set. And now I'll have to buy a new one when the sixth — and theoretically final — film gets added.

And, yes, when I dialed in, I was skeptical. Alright, I'll admit, I laughed out loud when I learned that the film was being marketed to the "faith and values" crowd. I believe my exact words were, "I'm not believin' this!"

But then I listened in.

Please know the reason I'm such a fan of the Rocky films is not just because they are about an underdog who gets a million-to-one shot at the title. I'm not even a boxing fan. But I love stories about redemption.

Stallone reminded those of us on the call that the opening shot of the original film is of a painting of Jesus looking down on Rocky in the boxing ring in a rundown gym. And no, I didn't have to go back to verify that, I already knew. But, I've long wondered why he chose to open with that. I never guessed Stallone himself would explain it to me, but this week he did — oh, and to everybody else on the call.

He first explained that he felt compelled to write the first film, and he believes that drive came from above. He said the character of Rocky was meant to reflect the characteristic nature of Jesus.

"It's like he was being chosen, Jesus was over him, and he was going to be the fella that would live through the example of Christ," Stallone said. "He's very, very forgiving. There's no bitterness in him. He always turns the other cheek. And it's like his whole life was about service."

But, Stallone confessed, his own life didn't follow the humble example of the boxer who made him a Hollywood star.

"I was raised in a Catholic home, a Christian home, and I went to Catholic schools and I was taught the faith and went as far as I could with it," he said. "Until one day, you know, I got out in the so-called real world and I was presented with temptation. I kinda like lost my way and made a lot of bad choices."

No joke, said all the subscribers to People magazine.

But, Stallone added, he's been going through a change in his life. He's realized that he was wrong to place his career and fame ahead of his family.

"The more I go to church," he said, "and the more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus and listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, I feel as though the pressure is off me now."

And, admitting that the analogy might be a little pedestrian, he made a correlation between physical and spiritual fitness.

"You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else. You cannot train yourself," he said. "I feel the same way about Christianity and about what the church is: The church is the gym of the soul."

And, he said, his life experiences are what allowed him to write the final chapter of the epic series.

"I needed to actually go through my trials and tribulations," he said, "before I could be man enough to know how to write that kind of story that Rocky Balboa is."

So, as someone who began listening on the call as a giggling skeptic, and who does not expect Rocky Balboa to be heralded as a Christian film, I have to confess I was won over by the real-life story of redemption I heard.

So, what's next for Stallone?

I can only imagine Rambo sneaking into Burma to free Christian missionaries who are being held by militants. And as the invincible one-man army looks into the eyes of the ordinary folks from Oklahoma and South Carolina who are risking their lives for the Gospel, he is swept up by their commitment.

Oh, wait.

I'm. Not. Kidding.

"It rekindles something in him. He doesn't believe at first, he's seen too much. He's bitter. But when he meets these people and looks into their eyes, he's swept up in it, and literally he's just taken on this journey," Stallone said. "He's a Christian warrior! Can you believe it?"

I'm believin' it.

[Frumanchu]

Found this article rather interesting, especially since I did not know Stallone professed to be a Christian. There is certainly cause here for optimism that his faith is genuine.

[Grig]

I am sooo looking forward to seeing this movie.