Available online
Description
The film is set on the Island of Tholen in the south of the Netherlands. Most of The people living there are strict Calvinists, members of the most traditional and conservative branches of the Du...tch Reformed Church. Their style of religion is not typical of Protestantism today. They''re trying to relive the earliest Calvinistic ideas as expressed through Dutch theologians of the 18th century. A parallel in the English speaking world would be a community still living in the world of Bunyan. Their attitudes are often thought cold and hard in the light of today's values. Most refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated against polio, even in the face of an epidemic. For them it would be an attempt to stave off God's will. And if a girl gets pregnant before marriage, the offending couple may have to confess publicly at Sunday Service. All the filming for this programme had to be done very discreetly because they believe that television is a manifestation of the devil. No-one would give a filmed interview. Eventually some gave permission for their voices to be recorded. The result is a frank and revealing range of personal testimony. The basis of their belief is that only very few are predestined to be saved. The chosen experience a sign from God, what they call a 'conversion' and are filled with inner "life" or "light". Man has no influence over his salvation. Everything is ordained by God who sees everything. This programme has been specially adapted from a film originally made by Dutch TV.
The film is set on the Island of Tholen in the south of the Netherlands. Most of The people living there are strict Calvinists, members of the most traditional and conservative branches of the Du...tch Reformed Church. Their style of religion is not typical of Protestantism today. They''re trying to relive the earliest Calvinistic ideas as expressed through Dutch theologians of the 18th century. A parallel in the English speaking world would be a community still living in the world of Bunyan. Their attitudes are often thought cold and hard in the light of today's values. Most refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated against polio, even in the face of an epidemic. For them it would be an attempt to stave off God's will. And if a girl gets pregnant before marriage, the offending couple may have to confess publicly at Sunday Service. All the filming for this programme had to be done very discreetly because they believe that television is a manifestation of the devil. No-one would give a filmed interview. Eventually some gave permission for their voices to be recorded. The result is a frank and revealing range of personal testimony. The basis of their belief is that only very few are predestined to be saved. The chosen experience a sign from God, what they call a 'conversion' and are filled with inner "life" or "light". Man has no influence over his salvation. Everything is ordained by God who sees everything. This programme has been specially adapted from a film originally made by Dutch TV.
| Module code and title: | AD208, Man's religious quest |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AD208; 16 |
| First transmission date: | 02-09-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:20 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Thompson |
| Contributor: | David Thompson |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Calvinism; Dutch Reformed Church; Protestanism |
| Footage description: | The programme is adapted from a film originally made for Dutch T.V. It opens with views of Tholen Island and of the inhabitants going to church. Thompson explains that the islanders are extremely conservative members of the Dutch Reformed Church. He outlines some of their beliefs and gives examples of how they have rejected modern ideas. The doctrine of predestination is briefly described. The remainder of the programme consists of the Islanders' comments in voice-over and subtitles Shots of men at work in the fields. Two men are heard explaining the origin and nature of the doctrine of predestination. Shots of an old print illustrating the doctrine. Film of people entering church, over which a man explains the Islanders' attitude to the Bible and attendance at church. He relates this to predestination. The role of prayer is explained. Film of a man at work in a factory. He describes how his religion affects daily life. Shots of a group of factory workers at lunch. Further shots of people entering church. The same man argues for the Islanders' way of life Film of a housing estate and of a nearby cemetery. Street scenes. Over these islanders comment on the omnipotence of God and the nature of death. One man explains what he learnt from the sudden death of his wife. Film of the floods that devastated the island in 1953 - Islanders give their reactions to this catastrophe in subtitles. The flood is universally attributed to the will of God. Over film of people in the street islanders describe the experience of spiritual 'conversion'. They also comment on their relations with the outside world and explain why they consider TV to be bad. The nature of life is explained. Shots of a bible, over which a man explains that the (Dutch) bible is considered 100% true. Over shots of churches another describes the role of women on Tholen Island He explains why insurance and vaccination are prohibited. Over old religious prints a man describes how God punished a man who attended the wrong church. Shot of mud flats. A man's 'conversion' is described. Comments on the doctrine of predestination and the Day of Judgement. Further shots of people going to church. |
| Master spool number: | OU2923 |
| Production number: | 00525_3437 |
| Videofinder number: | 3607 |
| Available to public: | no |
