The League of Extraordinary Saints

A film I recently watched is the 2003 League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Based on the comic novels of that name, the nineteenth and early twentieth-centuries’ greatest literary heroes and adventurers are brought together to defeat some equally legendary opponent- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Professor Moriarty. Led by H. Ryder Haggard’s Allan Quartermain, archetypal Englishman and Victorian explorer, a group comprising Captain Nemo, Rodney Skinner (the invisible man), Stoker’s Mina Harker, Wilde’s unkillable Dorian Gray, Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde and American sharp-shooter Tom Sawyer, set off to save the world 

The concept is both ludicrous and wonderfully enjoyable at the same time. I've loved Allan Quartermain since I was a boy. Not only did we share a name (though differently spelt), his adventures in King Solomon’s Mines confirmed my love of all things Victorian, Biblical and historical; it really is a cracking yarn. To see him working with other great heroes and heroines brought me many a smile.

I sometimes lament the passing of great men and women of God. In our increasingly aggressive, anti-Christian world, yesteryear’s heroes would come in rather handy. The fiery passion of Luther, the cool clarity of Calvin, the organisational genius of Wesley, the erudition of Whitefield- all would prove rather helpful. Wouldn’t it be great to have the courage of Cromwell, the compassion of Booth, the determination of Wilberforce, the dedication of Amy Carmichael? How well we would proclaim Christ with some of these great saints in our midst!

Or what if we were joined by Biblical figures, whom God kindly decided to resurrect? How our evangelistic endeavours would improve with Phillip’s and Peter’s help! How better would we contend for the faith with Jude and Paul’s assistance? No, God will not resurrect former saints and Biblical figures to help us discharge our work. They’ve run their race; their time in the fray is over. Instead, God has raised us up, for such a time as this. I’m no Luther or Calvin, but I am me, and you are you, and we are the ones called to proclaim Christ in this time and place. We are baptised in the same Spirit as they and our Lord supplies us with the same strength and grace He supplied them. We are the league of extraordinary saints, suitably equipped and attired for the challenges and difficulties ahead. 

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:6

Image by andreas160578 from Pixabay