Hi guys! What about series reviews? I have been enjoying a series on Netflix called Vikings. What has made it really entertaining for me is that I had been reading some of the Urantia Book during the same time. It has been fun reading "After Pentecost" while watching the Vikings series, which kind of sets things up as "old gods" vs. "new god." I saw where it is said in the Urantia book, "Christianity exhibits a history of having originated out of the unintended transformation of the religion of Jesus into a religion about Jesus" brought to life in the series.
And after watching 6 seasons it was easy to see how I might have worshipped the All-Father and partake in pagan rituals where sacrifice was considered sacred. The series does a fantastic job at illustrating the beauty in Human expression. The good, the bad, the beautiful- the ugly... And the proclivity for God, in all his forms and in all(our progressive) understanding.
I tend to agree with the character Ubbe, a son of Ragnar Lothbrok, who tells a Christian man- "I believe in the All Father, and I believe your Christ prayed to the All Father in the Heavens." I remembered the Urantia book explaining how God is called by many names through out the cosmos... Source, Father and yes even All-Father is most appropriate.
Or with the monk Athelstan, who saw God alive in Odin and Christ- this was absurd to many at the time, they saw their Gods as separate and were deeply offended if either side worshipped one over the other.
There's so much more to elaborate on from this, but instead I will just share some pretty inspiring clips that I stumbled across just yesterday... Viewer discretion is advised- these scenes contain violence.
These clips are near the end of the series yet the entire series is filled with fantastic scenes...
Last night, as I watched Bjorn Ironside die I was reminded of something Jesus said... That others would go on and do greater things than He. And I was reminded of our incredible Human potential, and the invisible but lofty progression of a Soul. What might that look like, when the ideals we believe in and strive towards are encapsulated within the human form!
The death of King Olaf.
The scene is cut a little short, so it's important to know that the scene ends with the Rus and Prince Oleg in complete shock that Olaf embraced his death, spoke Christian words and did not die in agony but with hands brought together in prayer.
Prince Oleg, with the help of Ivar the Boneless had just won a battle, capturing the King of Norway and King Olaf. Prince Oleg decides that Olaf should die- Olaf is a bit of a philosophizer and visionary. It was Olaf who thought his people should come together and declare a King of Norway in order to face the existential threat. Olaf, a Viking, enlightened by the way of the Buddha- believing death a reward and entry to Valhalla scares the Rus soldiers by showing them the power of Faith and Belief in resurrection/Life after Life. This scene reminds me of the self immolating monks(did you know there was more than one such act?) Imagine the shock, when most people who die in such a brutal way are expected to scream in agony. This angered Oleg and scared his fellow commanders, they were not used to the Viking spirit having long abandoned their pagan ancestry.
https://youtu.be/zsI0Gujg2-Y?si=x3JLj0hBYytba76L
It wasn't long after that Ivar and Oleg would advance on the town of Kattegat where Bjorn Ironside presides. In that previous battle, Ivar had mortally wounded King Bjorn, his brother. Bjorn and his remaining forces retreated to Kattegat. Before the initial battle Bjorn had dispatched scouts to seek aid for what was to come. While Prince Oleg and Ivar made way to Kattegat, word was sent to their camp that King Bjorn had died. They did not know aid had come. It was Bjorn who was meant to be King of Norway, but it was stolen from him by a conniving man. And when the conniving man(King Harold) was denied aid, it was the son of Ragnar Lothbrok- Bjorn Ironside who would ultimately rally forces together. Bjorn was seen as a legend among men, word of his death brought Oleg and his commanders great satisfaction. But they didn't know that Bjorn had not yet died. Instead... Bjorn put on his armor one last time, and rode out to meet the enemy.
https://youtu.be/FXLi_eZiWrM?si=E3bVmtmoT5_VyVLH
They ran away because they were already disturbed by Olafs death, and they thought the rumor of Bjorn Ironsides death was cemented- it was the only thing giving them hope of taking over Kattegat. When they saw he wasn't dead, Olafs final words haunted them. Even though they outnumbered the Vikings, they were made scared by the power of a United people and a defiant Spirit.
So, what do you guys think? Has anyone watched this series? I highly recommend. :lol: There's a lot to discuss! I know it's fantasy, it takes some truth and the rest is romanticized or twisted for the purpose of making this excellent series... But as King Olaf says, "all we have are stories."