Theology and Film Challenging the Sacred/Secular Divide

by Deacy, Christopher; Ortiz, Gaye Williams

• ISBN13: 9781405144377
• ISBN10: 1405144378
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-03
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This textbook is the ideal introduction to exploring how film can enrich our study of theology, opening up debates surrounding contemporary culture and theological inquiry. It uses film to challenge the sacred/secular divide, spanning a broad range of themes from religion and the sacred, human dignity, eschatology, war, and peace, to justice, feminism, and the environment.The accessible structure lays out both the methods and theological perspectives required for understanding theology through film. Examples of films discussed range from Unforgiven, Jarhead, and The Passion of Christ, to An Inconvenient Truth, Something's Gotta Give and Vanilla Sky. The book is also accompanied by website resources available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/theologyandfilm.

Author Biography

Christopher Deacy is Head of Religious Studies and Lecturer in Applied Theology at the University of Kent and has written a number of publications exploring the interface between religion and film, including Screen Christologies: Redemption and the Medium of Film.

Gaye Williams Ortiz teaches Communication Studies at Augusta State University in Georgia. She has served as vice president of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, and is co-editor of Explorations in Theology and Film (Blackwell, 1997).

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Methodological considerations

Theology and Film

Theological perspectives and filmic themes

Introduction

Woman as Spectacle: Theological Perspectives on Women and Film

The Green Screen: Theological Perspectives on the Environment and Film

A Time to Kill?: Theological Perspectives on Violence and Film

The Final Verdict: Theological Perspectives on Justice and Film

Dark Beauty: Theological Perspectives on War as Cinematic Mythology

Heaven, Hell and the Sweet Hereafter: Theological Perspectives on Eschatology and Film

Conclusion: Theological Perspectives on Cinematic Storytelling

Bibliography

Filmography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.