What Does The Bible Say [Hardcover]

This book is a collaboration between a biblical scholar (Mary Ann Beavis) and a practical theologian (HyeRan Kim-Cragg) who are concerned with the way that the Bible is portrayed and interpreted in popular culture, including but not limited to the movies. This concern points to a need for a conversation, examining what the Bible actually says, in order to uncover transformations and distortions of the biblical stories in the wider culture--including Christian culture. Our conversation is counter-cultural, not in an oppositional way, but taking an alternative posture that aims to provide different insights by drawing from and closely looking at the Bible. The chapters take a Christian canonical approach, articulating what the Bible says (and doesn't say) with regard to culturally pervasive themes such as sin and salvation, Christ and Antichrist, heaven and hell, in contrast to popular understandings as disseminated in (primarily) film, advertising, television, etc. We hope that together we will open up fertile academic, ecclesial, and secular space for disclosing loaded cultural and ideological views towards offering positive and intriguing insights embedded in the Bible. Are you looking for exciting new program ideas for your church's youth and young adult group leaders? A text to add cultural relevance to your courses on ministry or Bible study? A resource to recommend to graduates wishing to update their access to the latest biblical scholarship? Or a stimulating volume for yourself that, incidentally, requires you to watch a few movies? Look no further. To the rescue comes this offering from a pair of cross-disciplinary scholars who engage you in conversation, challenge you to re-examine your assumptions, and equip you with fresh understanding for your own teaching, ministry, and scholarship. That the volume's global reach includes specific contributions out of the Canadian context is simply that much bonus. --Greer Anne Wenh-In Ng, Professor Emerita, Emmls"