Les Misérables and the Death Grip of Works-Based Worldviews

I took my family to an early showing of Les Misérables on New Year’s Eve and had several thoughts following the excellent performances and cinematography of the movie. This post will likely include spoilers for some of you, but I thought the striking contrast between Christian notions of “grace” and “works” were worth the risk. The movie is adapted from the immensely successful stage play (adapted previously from Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel), and describes the journey and lives of several characters in nineteenth century France (from 1815 to 1832). Two of the primary characters in the story illustrate the power of works-based worldviews and the challenge those of us have in communicating the radical love of God.

Jean Valjean is the chief protagonist of the story, released from prison after serving many years for stealing bread. Upon his parole, he stumbles into the home of Bishop Myriel and proceeds to steal several items of silver. When caught by police, Valjean is returned to Myriel’s residence in order to investigate the theft. Rather than accuse Valjean in front of the authorities, Myriel demonstrates the unmerited favor of God and graciously lies to the police, telling them that he gave the silver to Valjean. To make matters even more dramatic, Myriel tells Valjean that he forgot to take the two additional candleholders sitting on the table. This act of grace so moves Valjean that his life is forever changed. The power of God’s undeserved forgiveness, demonstrated through Myriel, transforms Valjean into a vessel of forgiveness and mercy. He flees his former identity, breaking his parole and starting a new life; a life that is now a blessing to everyone he encounters.

The primary antagonist of the story, the determined Police Chief, Javert, is a legalistic, driven man who adheres to the strictest meaning of the law. He brutalized Valjean while he was in prison, and he sees no value in grace or mercy. Javert is a self-made man, and his high regard for righteousness has blinded him to his own fallen nature. Throughout the story, Javert is pursuing Valjean for the violation of his parole. There is a point in the story where Valjean has an opportunity to take revenge on Javert but, instead, demonstrates the grace and forgiveness that was once shown to him by Myriel. Once again, the power of God’s unmerited favor, shown even in such a limited way from one man to another, has a dramatic impact on a character in the story. But unlike Valjean, Javert cannot bring himself to accept the act of grace or live with its consequences. He chooses to end his own life rather than be transformed by grace.

There is so much in this story that each of us ought to recognize. As Christians, we are islands of “grace” in a sea of “works”. Christianity is the one worldview that is not merit-based. All other religions provide a set of rules that must be followed if an adherent wants to be saved or have value in the context of his or her faith. The Ten Commandments, the Five Pillars of Faith, the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-fold Path, the Baha’i Law, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, the teachings of all the Mormon Prophets; every faith system is constructed around the righteousness that can be achieved by each individual, rather than the righteousness that is ascribed by God. Only Christianity contains the concept of unmerited favor that we know as “grace”. Even those of us who deny the existence of God are operating within a work-based worldview; our value is directly related to what we can achieve, accomplish or perform.

Those of us who have grown to identify ourselves within a works-based worldview hold to our earned personal value with a death grip. Like Javert, we would rather die than admit we are just like everyone else: fallen, imperfect and in need of a Savior. The grace of God requires us to see ourselves for who we are, admit that we are just like everyone else, relinquish the control of our own salvation and admit that our value is found in God alone. That’s difficult to do and it’s a lot to ask of our friends and family members who are swimming in the larger religious and secular sea of works-based worldviews. As islands of grace, we need to take Valjean’s example seriously and demonstrate the mercy and grace of God to others. But be ready. Some will respond like Valjean and become a conduit for God’s love. Others will resist God to their dying breath rather than accept who they are (or, more importantly, who they are not).

Comments

[Mr. Echo]

Great post, J. Warner Wallace. I loved this part:

"Like Javert, we would rather die than admit we are just like everyone else: fallen, imperfect and in need of a Savior. The grace of God requires us to see ourselves for who we are, admit that we are just like everyone else, relinquish the control of our own salvation and admit that our value is found in God alone."

Seen the film several times now. Mesmerized by grace!

[Brad B]

There recently was a White Horse Inn program on the meanings behind the storyline that I recommend, an informative 30 minute listen.

One thing I feel compelled to note is that in this statement:

"As Christians, we are islands of “grace” in a sea of “works”. Christianity is the one worldview that is not merit-based. All other religions provide a set of rules that must be followed if an adherent wants to be saved or have value in the context of his or her faith."

One important word was left out--that word Protestant--as in "Protestant Christianity". The Roman communion, although called grace based, is not without its system of merit. It is another gospel.

[TCG]

Excellent synopsis. Our adult, youngest daughter, gave all of us tickets to see the movie on Christmas Day. It was a real treat.

Years ago we saw the stage musical multiple times, taking our three daughters at various ages. Each of the three had the musical score memorized, and it became a bit of a problem when they would start singing out loud with the performers! We got some annoyed looks from other audience members.

I preferred the stage play simply because the "warts" in and on everyone in the movie were too up close. Also, I thought they sacrificed the quality of the voices of the main characters to buy the big names. But, still, it was a great movie.

[Bill]

Great post! We saw the film early on Christmas day and we all thought it was a perfect film for Christmas.

[Vivian]

Myriel's gentle, generous, and gracious mercy is so unbelievable. The immediacy of his response also astounds me and I love how they depicted the stunned looks of the nuns in the film. How often do I believe that God's grace is somehow begrudingly given rather than the immediately responsive outcome of his character? That scene (among many) was beautifully done.

[mark]

bs. it's a trashy show kids should not watch it.

[mark]

sorry for the "b.s." remark. I repent of that. Sick boy on meds fighting flu with a sin nature..no excuse however. Let me restate...this show is not for children

[Vivian]

Mark -- I agree, it's not for children. I went with my mother and my 15-yo niece and I wondered a little about its appropriateness for my niece. It has some pretty harsh elements in it, including scenes that deal with prostitution, promiscuity, drunkenness and lewd behavior. Overall, though, I found it a worthwhile film -- the elements previously mentioned are not praised. They are presented as base and tragic and part of what the protagonists yearn to escape.

It is rated PG-13 and I would encourage parents to make an educated decision about whether or not it is something they would want their kids to see. The non-musical film with Liam Neesom is also quite good. I can't recall how those elements were dealt with, though. It is also PG-13.

I hope your boy feels better soon.

[Mo]

@ Mark -

No, it's not a trashy show. No one claimed it was for children. Sin is ugly. It's a rare thing to see it presented that way in Hollywood.

***

Wonderful review, and it puts into words truly what I love most about this story. Every time I see it or hear the music, the character of Javert breaks my heart even more.

[Jen]

Great post. I loved this film. I think you nailed the contrast of these two men in the movie. I loved the use of the music and lyrics which helped to draw out the very different reactions Valjean and Javert had to the act of grace shown them.

The effect that Myriel's act of grace had on Jean Valjean was to bring him to his knees, broken. His expression was utter repentance when he sings:
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
And I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from the world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin!

And even though he wants to leave his old "self" and does in a sense, through forgiveness, later in the film he has to face the still-present consequences of his sin through encounters with Javert and when someone else is about to go to jail in his place and when his daughter is getting married. Even through these encounters, he is an "island of grace" and does what is right.

In contrast, with the same song, different lyrics, Javert sings:
I am reaching but I fall
And the stars are black and cold
As I stare into the void
Of a world that cannot hold
I'll escape now from that world
From the world of Jean Valjean.
There is nowhere I can turn
There is now way to go on...

He doesn't stare into his sin, he cannot reconcile that act of grace with the letter of the law, so he'd rather die than accept it.

Javert serves as a warning to us all --self-righteousness prevents brokenness, and it's only through brokenness that we're restored.