Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Ananias from the Bible
Have you heard of the game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon"? It’s a fun exercise that connects any actor to Kevin Bacon within six links. But have you ever tried connecting a biblical character to Kevin Bacon? Let’s try it with Ananias, a biblical figure from the New Testament.
Ananias to Paul: Ananias was the man whom God sent to Saul (later known as Paul) to restore his sight and baptize him after his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. According to Acts 9:10-19, Ananias was hesitant to go to Saul because of his reputation as a persecutor of Christians.
Paul to Peter: Paul met with Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, in Jerusalem to discuss their ministries and the message they were preaching, as recorded in Galatians 1:18-19.
Peter to Martin Luther: Peter’s leadership in the early Christian church influenced the teachings of Martin Luther, a German monk who sparked the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
Martin Luther to Johann Sebastian Bach: Johann Sebastian Bach, a famous German composer from the 18th century, was heavily influenced by Luther’s theology and incorporated biblical themes in his music.
Johann Sebastian Bach to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a famous German writer and philosopher from the 18th and 19th centuries, was a huge fan of Bach’s music and even wrote a poem about him called "Herr Bach."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to Kevin Bacon: Kevin Bacon starred in the movie "Hollow Man," which was based on the novel "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells. Goethe’s famous work "Faust" is also about a man who makes a deal with the devil, similar to the plot of "The Invisible Man."
Bible Verse: "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’" – Acts 9:17 (NIV)
Ananias played a crucial role in Saul’s conversion to Christianity, and his obedience to God’s call was instrumental in spreading the Gospel message. May we also be willing to follow God’s lead and trust in His plan for our lives.