film and theology help
In July and August, I’m going to lead a study on film and theology in our home. As I’m thinking through how this will look, the purpose of the study is not going to be to use a few movie clips here and there to illustrate some points or Bible verses I want to reinforce.
Rather, each week, participants will be asked to watch a film ahead of time with an understanding that all truth is God’s truth. They will be asked to bring that perspective to our discussion and share how they experienced truth in each film. We will then grapple with how those truths might be congruent, or incongruent, with the understandings we have of the Christian faith and Scriptures.
So, I am asking for help from you, my loyal (or very bored!) readers who have stuck with me through my inconsistent posting of late. What films come to mind that you think might be good for us to experience in this study?
Tags: movies, pathways church, theology
19. June 2007 at 00:16
Hey John,
We’ve been working through some foreign films over the past few months, and the most intriguing work that I’ve seen recently is Paradise Now (2006). It is a perceptive window into the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, and I can envision some thought-provoking conversations stemming from this film. My second recommendation would be To End All Wars (2001). Both of these are worthwhile views as we contemplate the gritty reality of the conflicts of our day. Keep us updated on how your study goes… wish we could join:) Hope you are well, and tell Sherri & the fam hello.
19. June 2007 at 09:37
I can vouch for ‘Paradise Now’. It’s an extremely thought-provoking film. You’ll have no shortage of discussion topics.
Some movies that will probably be a little easier for everyone to pick up would be ‘Children of Men’, ‘Babel’, or ‘Stranger Than Fiction’.
Or you could really throw them for a loop and assign ‘Major League’.
19. June 2007 at 10:04
Lawrence of Arabia - One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest - A Clockwork Orange (violent) - Platoon (violent) - Network - Shawshank Redemption - 12 Angry Men (deep) - Seven (violent) - Das Boot (German - Long)- Batman Begins - Crash
19. June 2007 at 12:49
cool, always wanted to do that,
here some that fascinate me:
house of sand and fog
dr. strangelove
crash
munich
spirited away
life is beautiful
gattaca
in america
paradise now
professional
babel
mystic river
amistad
catch me if you can
changing lanes
magnolia
truman show
million dollar baby
eternal sunshine
motorcycle diaries
hotel rowanda
city of god
life of david gale
21 grams
19. June 2007 at 14:24
what a great idea! i like your approach especially. i know i have some ideas, but i’ll have to look at my movies when i get home to remember the titles. maybe i could come sometime…
19. June 2007 at 15:55
Blood Diamond…just used it, really good discussion…Idiocracy…Batman Begins…Hotel Rwanda…Jesus Camp…Shut Up and Sing…Smartest Guys in the Room…The Revolution Will Not Be Televised…The Last Samurai…and of course the greatest movie series of all time…The Fast and The Furious!!! Graceandpeace….
19. June 2007 at 15:58
You’ve Got Mail… lots of depth. I especially love the part where they pass each other in the street and don’t even know that they just passed the person they love!!!! Or Chocolat…that’s got good stuff too.
19. June 2007 at 16:09
The Count of Monte Cristo
19. June 2007 at 21:29
I agree with some of David’s, even though I haven’t seen them
I’m more of a book reader, BUT some very good books are movies…
I read the book The House of Sand and Fog…Very thought provoking. I’ve never seen the move. I know the premise of Gattica and we discussed it in a college Biology class, I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch it.
Dead Poet’s Society (I lived that story)
To kill a mockingbird (I know, the book is better)
Shawshank Redemption (I second that)
Mona Lisa Smile
The seventh seal (is there any truth in this?)
Stand and Deliver
Invinceable (haven’t seen it but I want to)
Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd story
The Old Man and the Sea, Of Mice and Men(again, I only read the book)
The five people you meet in heaven
Defending your Life
Lord of the Flies
The Handmaid’s Tale (warning: centers around sex and the role of women)
Just to name a few book / movies.
Have fun, and if you run into any good movies, send them my way.
20. June 2007 at 00:11
I second “Count of Monte Cristo”. Would have some similar themes as Les Mis.
Also, “Drop Dead Fred” Perhaps the greatest film of our time.
20. June 2007 at 07:20
Pi
The Fountain
Magnolia
Stranger Than Fiction
21 Grams
The Village
Babette’s Feast
The Mission
Chariots Of Fire
That’s all I can think of right now. I’ve been thinking of starting a small group at church that is similar to what you’re doing - I think it would be an excellent thing to do.
20. June 2007 at 07:48
Dean is right about Drop Dead Fred.
I know that most didn’t like Lady in the Water, but the themes and story are worth it.
The Village
23. June 2007 at 19:46
Tears of the Sun (it might be too violent/graphic for some people but has great images of sacrifice, valuing others, and making choices for what is right)
Seabiscuit
Remember the Titans
28. June 2007 at 15:19
Hello. I found your blog via longbrake’s blog.
I would recommend __Life is Beautiful__. It’s a powerful Italian film that illustrates the power of art and the story.
30. June 2007 at 20:32
If you want to throw a current movie into the mix, I would suggest Black Snake Moan. You have to wade through some language (it’s Samuel L. Jackson, for goodness’ sake), but the story is filled with truth, and quite provocative at times. And the “black snake” scene, in which Jackson plays the old blues tune which serves as the title for the film, is one of the best scenes I’ve seen this decade!
4. July 2007 at 21:10
i would suggest “To End All Wars”
absolutely fabulous.
16. July 2007 at 16:35
I can believe no one has suggested “Fight Club” or the original “Matrix”, they just ooze with truth.
25. November 2007 at 21:49
[...] had the film and theology study which has offered several evenings of great conversation. Thanks to all who commented suggesting [...]