Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

"A strong spirit, a tender heart"

"The law changes, but the conscience doesn't"

Please, please, go watch this excellent German film: "Sophie Scholl- The Final Days". It's a true story about Germany's most famous Anti-Nazi heroine/activist. (Synopsis below)
I was pretty much in a daze after watching it.....was very moved and challenged by Sophie Scholl's passion, immense courage (that rivalled her male counterparts), and her strong faith in God. Some considered her a Christian martyr. Bernice and I were solemnly sharing the other day, how we wonder if we could stand up to such torture, if we were to be persecuted for our faith.

I remember watching a documentary on the Discovery channel some time back, about how many early Christians were gruesomely tortured to death for their faith (it's shocking how some humans can be so cruel and heartless). The narrator made this point- those early Christians obviously had a very clear understanding of their belief and faith. Afterall, if you had to die for your faith, you had better know what you were dying for! Early Christians expected persecution! I do wonder if we modern day christians are as passionate and anchored in our faith.....esp with so many churches promoting a 'feel good' brand of Christianity.

I felt myself feeling quite torn when I saw Sophie Scholl praying for God's deliverance from the cruel Nazis in her prison cell.....everyone knew that she was going to die despite her supplications. The most natural question that came to mind was "God, why didn't you rescue your child from the hands of these evil men??" (she was only 21 yrs old)

Then when Sophie bid farewell to her parents, she calmly and confidently said "see you in eternity..." At that point, I remembered what Ps Chris preached in service last year.
God did not promise us physical immunity in this world....we'll still get sick, we'll go through difficult trials, some of us may die for our faith....
But, God has promised us spiritual immunity.....our citizenship in heaven, is a done deal.
Amen!


SYNOPSIS
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The true story of Germany's most famous anti-Nazi heroine is brought to thrilling life in the multi-award winning drama SOPHIE SCHOLL-THE FINAL DAYS. Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film of 2005, SOPHIE SCHOLL stars Julia Jentsch in a luminous performance as the young coed-turned-fearless activist. Armed with long-buried historical records of her incarceration, director Marc Rothemund expertly re-creates the last six days of Sophie Scholl's life: a heart-stopping journey from arrest to interrogation, trial and sentence.

In 1943, as Hitler continues to wage war across Europe, a group of college students mount an underground resistance movement in Munich. Dedicated expressly to the downfall of the monolithic Third Reich war machine, they call themselves the White Rose. One of its few female members, Sophie Scholl is captured during a dangerous mission to distribute pamphlets on campus with her brother Hans. Unwavering in her convictions and loyalty to the White Rose, her cross-examination by the Gestapo quickly escalates into a searing test of wills as Scholl delivers a passionate call to freedom and personal responsibility that is both haunting and timeless.

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Read more about Sophie Scholl and "The White Rose" resistance movement here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Scholl

http://www.sophieschollmovie.com/