Fast & Furious 6: A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Last updated on: March 8, 2021 at 5:00 am by Frank Viola

Fast & Furious 6: A Tale of Two Kingdoms 2021-01-06T13:01:41-04:00 Frank Viola

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sometime ago, I saw the re-run of Fast & Furious 6. I stunt-doubled in it (for Vin Diesel, of course), but that’s not the reason why I’m writing this post. 🙂

The movie is superb. It also depicts two kinds of kingdoms . . . or churches.

One is the kingdom (or church) ruled by “precision” . . . where people are treated as cogs in the system.

If they make a mistake, they are disposed of.

The other is the kingdom — or church — ruled by family and the undying loyalty that goes with it. As well as sacrifice for the higher purpose.

Watch the movie with this lens and it will speak powerfully.

Here are some quotes to give you a taste.

Owen Shaw (representing the kingdom of darkness): You know, when I was young, my brother always said, “Every man has to have a code.” Mine: Precision. Use what you have, switch them out when you need to until you get the job done. It’s efficient. But you? You’re loyal to a fault. Your code is about family. It makes you predictable. And in our line of work, predictable means vulnerable. And that means I can reach out and break you whenever I want.

Dominic Toretto (representing the kingdom of light): At least when I go, I’ll know what it’s for.

Owen Shaw: Well, at least you have a code. Most men don’t. So, I’ll give you a chance: Take your crew and walk away. That’s the only way you’re going to keep your family safe.

Dominic Toretto: Your brother never told you never to threaten a man’s family? That’s a stupid thing to do.

—

Brian O’Conner: Maybe the Letty we once knew is gone.

Dominic Toretto: You don’t turn your back on family, even when they do.

—

Roman‘s prayer: Father thank you for the gathering of friends, Father we give thanks for all the choices we’ve made because that’s what makes us who we are, let us forever cherish the loved ones we’ve lost along the way; thank you for the little angel, the newest addition to our family, thank you for bringing Letty home, and most of all thank you for fast cars!

Is this a Christian movie? No.

But as I’ve pointed out before, all good art points to the Great Artist and His story, whether it’s intentional or not. For the story of God is written in the bloodstream of the universe. Thus even when creators aren’t aware of it, they are echoing the divine purpose whenever they create good art. They can’t help but do so.

Interestingly, Paul Walker made this movie shortly before his death.

Walker was a Mormon who converted to being a Christian, and he was quite public about his faith. Here’s a quote by Walker:

“I’m a Christian now. The things that drove me crazy growing up was how everyone works at fault-finding with different religions. The people I don’t understand are atheists. I go surfing and snowboarding and I’m always around nature. I look at everything and think, ‘Who couldn’t believe there’s a God? Is all this a mistake?’ It just blows me away.”

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 7, 2021

Who Else Wants a Shot of Spiritual Adrenaline For Their Soul?

Next Post

March 9, 2021 A Humor Break

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary marriage dowry in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Livestock Land Precious stones Gold coins