Bending the Arc Christian Review

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if people just kept going despite all the barriers stacked against them? The documentary The Bending Arc, directed by Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, digs deep into that very idea—showing how ordinary individuals, through sheer commitment and a belief in human dignity, can slowly, steadily tilt the scales toward justice. It isn’t a flashy film, nor does it demand your attention with loud proclamations. Instead, it quietly asks you to consider the weight of perseverance, the cost of action, and the extraordinary power of compassion. And from a Christian perspective? This film has more to say than meets the eye.

Bending Toward Justice: The Christian Lens on Service

The heart of The Bending Arc is service. But not just the kind of service that feels comfortable or convenient. This is service in the trenches, in the thick of the world’s messiest, most entrenched inequalities. From the beginning, the film brings to mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” That’s the essence here—serving the most vulnerable, the forgotten, the ones society often brushes aside.

It’s no coincidence that the title alludes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote about the arc of the moral universe bending toward justice. That idea—a slow, often imperceptible but constant bending—mirrors what Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God. It’s not always something we see in grand moments of triumph but in small, consistent acts of love, mercy, and justice. Watching the figures in the film, their long, exhausting journey to bring healthcare to the poorest corners of the world, feels like watching that arc in motion, as slow and steady as it may be. For Christians, it’s a call to action, to remember that our work is never done when it comes to loving our neighbors.

Perseverance: The Unsung Virtue

The people in The Bending Arc—figures like Dr. Jim Yong Kim and others—don’t just serve; they persevere. And this isn’t perseverance as a slogan, something we wear on a wristband or throw into motivational speeches. This is the kind of perseverance that comes when doors slam in your face, when powerful institutions tell you “no,” when the very system you’re trying to change seems impossible to move.

James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised.” It’s easy to quote verses like that until you see it lived out in real time. The film shows just how hard it is to keep going when the obstacles seem insurmountable. These men and women fight for something bigger than themselves, not for fame or recognition but because they believe in the inherent dignity of every human being. And isn’t that, at its core, what the Christian life is all about? Walking forward even when the path is rough, trusting that God can—and will—use even our smallest efforts for His greater plan.

Joy in the Midst of Struggle

There’s an interesting dynamic at play in The Bending Arc. For all the hardship it chronicles—poverty, systemic injustice, lack of access to basic healthcare—there’s this strange sense of hope, even joy, woven through it all. It’s not a naive, feel-good kind of joy, but a joy rooted in purpose. You can see it in the eyes of the people featured in the film, a kind of deep-seated satisfaction that comes from knowing they’re doing something meaningful.

It reminds me of something the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13, about being content in all circumstances. Contentment, or joy, doesn’t come from ease or comfort but from knowing that we’re aligned with something bigger than ourselves. This is joy in action—where even in the face of overwhelming obstacles, the work of loving, serving, and caring for others brings a kind of quiet, enduring happiness.

For Christians, this joy should feel familiar. It’s the joy that comes from knowing we are part of God’s redemptive work in the world, a joy that persists even when the world around us seems broken. The Bending Arc illustrates this beautifully—despite the daunting nature of the challenges they face, the individuals in this film are full of life, joy, and an unwavering sense of purpose.

The Redemption of Systems: Can Broken Institutions Be Made Whole?

Perhaps one of the most striking elements of the film is how it tackles the concept of redemption—not just personal redemption but the redemption of broken systems. Dr. Jim Yong Kim, who once openly criticized the World Bank for its lack of compassion, later becomes its chairman, appointed by none other than President Obama. This arc of transformation isn’t just about a man’s personal journey. It’s about the possibility that even the most broken, callous institutions can be made new.

For Christians, this is a powerful reminder of the redemptive work God does both in our hearts and in the world around us. While we often think of redemption in personal terms—our salvation, our walk with God—the Bible also speaks to the redemption of systems. In Isaiah 58, God calls us to not just help individuals but to “loose the chains of injustice” and “set the oppressed free.” Redemption, in a Christian sense, means working toward the renewal of everything—ourselves, our communities, and yes, even the institutions that govern our world.

Watching Kim and others work within these seemingly immovable systems to bring about change is a real-world example of that redemptive work. It shows us that even in the darkest, most frustrating circumstances, God can use people to bring light and hope where it’s needed most.

Human Dignity: The Image of God in Every Person

At its core, The Bending Arc is about human dignity. It’s about fighting for the basic right of every person to have access to health care, to be treated with respect, to be seen as valuable. This is the heartbeat of the film, and it resonates deeply with Christian teachings. Genesis 1:27 tells us that every human being is made in the image of God. This foundational truth is why we fight for justice, why we care for the poor, and why we stand up for the vulnerable.

The documentary serves as a reminder that the work of justice and compassion isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s a gospel thing. It’s part of what it means to follow Christ, to live out the Kingdom of God in our everyday lives.

Conclusion: A Film That Stirs the Soul

In the end, The Bending Arc isn’t just a documentary—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that the work of justice, compassion, and dignity is hard, messy, and often thankless. But it’s also deeply rewarding, full of joy, and ultimately, aligned with God’s heart for the world. From a Christian perspective, this film is a moving testament to what it means to live out your faith in a broken world.

Rating: 9/10
It’s not just about the story it tells but about the quiet power of perseverance, faith, and the belief that, yes, the arc of the universe may be long, but with God’s help, it will bend toward justice.