Theology Goes to the Movies An Introduction to Critical Christian Thinking [Paperback]

Drawing a comparison between religion and cinema-going, this text examines a range of contemporary films in relation to key theological concepts. Cinema as a religion-like activity is explored through cognitive, affective, aesthetic and ethical levels, identifying the religious aspects in the social practice of cinema-going.

Written by a leading expert in the field, Theology Goes to the Movies analyzes:

• the role of cinema and Church in Western culture
• the power of Christian symbols and images within popular culture
• theological concepts of humanity, evil and redemption, eschatology and God.

This is an ideal text for students seeking a new way into the study of theology.

Acknowledgements  Introduction  How to use this book  Part One: Contextualizing Theology in a Media Age  1. Theology in a Chaotic Climate  2. Doing Theology in a Media Age  3. Theology and the Christian Religion   Part Two: A Systematic Theology through Film  4. God   5. Human Being  6. Spirit  7. Redemption  8. Sacraments   9. Church  10. The End  11. A Christological Postscript   Part Three: Christian Theology in Practice  12. Theology and Life  13. Theology and God  Index of Films  Index of Names and Subjects

'By starting from issues explored in particular films, the book helps to ground theological debates in relation to human questions and experience. This really helps to bring the discipline of theology alive, and I wish this book had been available when I was a theology student.'