Thursday, January 27, 2005
Spirituality and film
At the movies we cry and laugh and see ourselves culturally. In 2004 the Academy laid out the red carpet of welcome to the New Zealand film industry, through films such as Whale Rider and Lord of the Rings. In 2004 we saw the release of Mel Gibsons The Passion.
What was the impact? What other ways might Christians connect with film? In Acts 17, Paul stands in Athens and cites contemporary poets. If Paul wanted to connect with contemporary culture today, might he start with the latest blockbuster? How would he watch movies and think on what is true, noble, pure?
The BCNZ course Spirituality and film takes the movies that make us laugh and cry, and, with eyes wide open, chases a “reel” Christian spirituality.
Wednesday evenings, semester 1, 2005.
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Hollywoodjesus.com exists to explain spirituality in popular culture so it might be of interest here. I am convinced that God is already working through secular mediums such as film.
Your question about Paul and thinking on what is koble, really is broader than movies, but popular culture itself. As soon as we engage our world there are challenges. To stumble over this question would be to have difficulty with Jesus making friends with prostitutes.
Its about being incarnational. How do we do it? I reckon it is rooted in who we are or are becoming.
Comment by Garth — January 28, 2005 @ 1:04 am
This is indeed a fascinating topic especially for me who has dabbled with a bit of amteur film-making – I would love to have the resources to do a contemporary film from the story of Job – especially with the “variety” of suffering evident in the world today
“To stumble over this question would be to have difficulty with Jesus making friends with prostitutes. ” – I’m not 100% sure I agree with this – Jesus talking to prostitutes could be seen to be about actively building relationship – I’m not so convinced we build relationship sitting in the dark watching “Blade: Trinity” – and at what expense to ourselves with the images we put in our head?
But I do completely agree with Garth about the “How?” difficulty of being incarnational because I have definitely come to question the value of being so “heavenly” minded that I’m no “earthly” use.
But I’m also mindful of having to walk thru a field of dung just to pick up a flower…
Ok so now I’m just waiving back and forward and sitting on the fence. Perhaps I’ll shut up and listen some more…
Comment by Randall — January 28, 2005 @ 8:12 am