Theology Goes to the Movies: An Introduction to Critical Christian Thinking

by Marsh; Clive

• ISBN13: 9780415380119
• ISBN10: 0415380111
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-04-26
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Theology Goes to the Movies is an introduction to understanding theology through film. Clive Marsh, an experienced teacher in the field, uses a range of contemporary films including Touching the Void, Bruce Almighty, Notting Hill, 21 Grams, Legally Blonde and The Piano to explain key theological concepts such as ideas of God, the Church, eschatology, redemption, humanity and spirit. Starting from the premise that film-watching is a religion-like activity, the book explores the ways in which films require the viewer to engage at many levels (cognitive, affective, aesthetic and ethical) and argues that the social practice of cinema-going has a religious dimension. This stimulating and entertaining book shows how theology through film can be a method of reading the dialogue between film and Western culture, as well as a relevant and contemporary practical theology. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Clive Marsh teaches in the Department of Theology at the University of Nottingham and is also Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
How to use this book	p. 5
Contextualizing theology in a media age	p. 9
Theology in a chaotic climate	p. 11
What is 'theology'?	p. 11
The chaotic Western climate	p. 14
Four features of contemporary Western cultural life	p. 15
Theology's critical task	p. 19
Doing theology in a media age	p. 21
The challenge of media culture	p. 21
Some consequences for theology as a discipline	p. 24
Types of theology	p. 27
Theology and the Christian religion	p. 32
Theology as a church activity	p. 32
Four aspects of religion	p. 34
Theology as a communal, human practice	p. 39
A systematic theology through film	p. 41
Introduction	p. 43
God	p. 47
Films	p. 49
Bruce Almighty	p. 49
The Passion of the Christ	p. 49
The Truman Show	p. 50
Viewing experiences	p. 50
Connecting questions and issues	p. 53
Explorations: images and traditions; power and freedom	p. 53
Working conclusions	p. 57
For further study	p. 58
Human being	p. 60
Films	p. 60
Koyaanisqatsi	p. 60
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind	p. 61
Do the Right Thing	p. 61
Notting Hill	p. 62
Viewing experiences	p. 63
Connecting questions and issues	p. 66
Explorations: gift and gratitude; individual and social sin; memory and identity; love and Trinity	p. 67
Working conclusions	p. 76
For further study	p. 77
Spirit	p. 79
Films	p. 80
Amadeus	p. 80
Touching the Void	p. 80
Legally Blonde	p. 81
Viewing experiences	p. 81
Connecting questions and issues	p. 83
Explorations: gifts and skills; re-creation; God's presence in the world	p. 85
Working conclusions	p. 90
For further study	p. 91
Redemption	p. 93
Films	p. 95
Crimes and Misdemeanors	p. 95
21 Grams	p. 96
The Last Temptation of Christ	p. 96
Cries and Whispers	p. 97
Viewing experiences	p. 98
Connecting questions and issues	p. 102
Explorations: evil; guilt; joy; participation in Christ	p. 103
Working conclusions	p. 105
For further study	p. 107
Sacraments	p. 109
Films	p. 110
The Piano	p. 110
Babette's Feast	p. 110
Don't Look Now	p. 111
Viewing experiences	p. 112
Connecting questions and issues	p. 114
Explorations: sacramentality; baptism; Holy Communion	p. 115
Working conclusions	p. 122
For further study	p. 122
Church	p. 124
Films	p. 125
Eat Drink Man Woman	p. 125
Brassed Off	p. 126
The Magdalene Sisters	p. 126
Viewing experiences	p. 127
Connecting questions and issues	p. 130
Explorations: unity; holiness; catholicity; apostolicity; church as 'base group'	p. 131
Working conclusions	p. 138
For further study	p. 139
The end	p. 141
Films	p. 141
Truly Madly Deeply	p. 141
Jesus of Montreal	p. 142
Field of Dreams	p. 142
Viewing experiences	p. 143
Connecting questions and issues	p. 145
Explorations: after-life; judgment; Kingdom of God; vision	p. 147
Working conclusions	p. 154
For further study	p. 155
A Christological postscript	p. 157
Christian theology in practice	p. 159
Theology and life	p. 161
But life's not like that!	p. 161
The systematic character of Christian theology	p. 163
'Theology through film' as 'theology of/from/through culture'	p. 166
Theology through film as practical theology	p. 168
Theology and God	p. 170
Why 'God' matters	p. 170
Realism and non-realism	p. 171
A spectrum of theism	p. 174
And finally...	p. 176
Notes	p. 177
Index	p. 189
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