By Brenda Cannon Henley
In introducing a three part series of lessons to my Broken Pots Study and Service Group, a few weeks ago, I asked a leading question about the subject. Some were wary of admitting they knew the answer because by giving the correct reply, they would certainly be admitting to their well hidden age. A few brave souls gave the right answer and elaborated on the subject.

My question was, “How many of you remember the very popular television show, ‘The Untouchables,’ and the handsome actors that played the roles?” The lead ATF agent was Elliott Ness, played by Robert Stack. The popular show ran from 1959 through 1963 with reruns keeping it alive long after the 60s. Nicholas Georgiade was another agent who kept the viewers returning.

In 1987, a film was released by the same name with lead roles played by Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert DeNiro. It, too, was successful and received wide acclaim.

The general premise was the good guys (ATF agents) were against the bad guys (the Chicago Outfit, law breakers, mobsters, Mafia families, and Al Capone, in particular). Ness declared he would take down Capone and set out to do it.

It is interesting to note that in the years between 1920 – 1933, 94 real live ATF agents were murdered or killed in the line of duty. Causes of death included explosives, gunshots, asphyxiation, crossfire when raiding stills, stabbings, poisonings, and scalding in a boiling mash vat.

The media and the common man followed the fearless, and often complex good guys, and gave them the moniker, “the Untouchables.” These law enforcers refused large bribes from the crime families and planned, plotted, and executed arrests and take downs as they tried to clean up cities and towns.

I won’t spoil the ending of the series for those who might watch it or choose to see the movie.

Untouchable is an interesting word and one that garnered my attention. There are at least 54 verses in the Bible using the word untouchable. There are 36 references in the New Testament directly related to the Greek word “haptoma,” whose meaning is “touching something that alters it for good or bad.”

Christians are warned not to be touched or controlled by sin. The only way we can avoid that is to remember that we cannot be strong and secure in our own right, but we can be untouchable because of Jesus and the strength He provides.

I challenge you to do a word study on your own and read the verses concerning touchable and untouchable. I found it very interesting and had an old TV series and a movie to ignite my desire to learn more.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at 409 781 8788, or
[email protected]

[BCH: Jun-6-2023]