The Theology of Cinema Live!

Five multimedia presentations from the popular Go Into The Story series, August 5–9 in Frankfort, Michigan.

As Go Into The Story readers may know, I studied theology at the University of Virginia (B.A.) and Yale University Divinity School (M.Div.). I had every intention of pursuing a doctorate and becoming an academic in the field of religious studies.

Then I took a year off to pursue my interest in music which eventually led to screenwriting and …

That year off became the rest of my life.

No matter the many twists and turns of my creative journey, my interest in things spiritual remains strong. In particular, I am fascinated by stories in sacred texts, specifically the Old and New Testaments, how they provide a context for people to understand their place in the cosmos.

Who am I? Why are we here? What shall I become? How do we make sense of evil in the world? How to live a meaningful life knowing that death awaits us?

You know, the Big Existential Questions.

Parallel to my interest in theology is my lifelong love affair with movies. A movie theater is as much a sacred spaces for me as a church.

What I have discovered is that the stories represented in movies traffic in the same questions and concerns as religion.

That led me to explore that connection in a blog series called The Theology of Cinema. Here is how I described it: A series which explores theological themes found in movies as metaphors for philosophical and psychological dynamics writers can use in their stories.

Theological themes like Forgiveness, Grace, Incarnation, Predestination … in my view, we see these dynamics in secular movies all the time.

It just makes sense. As poet H.L. Hix says:

“Even those of us who find our experience fragmentary and chaotic, still seek to recognize our experience as a narrative: to see events in our lives as valuable and meaningful, connected to one another in intelligible ways.”

Stories from sacred texts. Stories from movies. They do the same thing: Entertain the audience, but also enlighten us about the human condition and help us make sense of reality.

Given this interest, I am excited to present The Theology of Cinema in conjunction with the Gibson Lecture Series. This five-day event will take place from August 5th through August 9th. Here is an overview:

Each day’s presentation focuses on one key theme and one movie which reflects that theme.

Day 1: The Protagonist’s Journey.
The outer journey of a story’s central character through the events of the plot are fundamentally about that character’s journey into their inner self.
Movie: Nomadland

Day 2: Congregation
The key individuals with whom the Protagonist intersects in their story represent a congregation of characters: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, Trickster.
Movie: Up

Day 3: Faith
“Faith is not being sure where you’re going but going anyway. A journey without maps.”
Movie: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Day 4: Conversion
A character transforming from their Old Self into a New Self is a narrative arc we see time and again, empowered by an Inner Need awakened within which redefines who they are.
Movie: The Farewell

Day 5: Redemption
Trapped in bondage to a past trauma, by confronting that unresolved wound, the Protagonist seeks to redeem their self.
Movie: The Shawshank Redemption

Attendees are encouraged to watch the featured movies, but I reference dozens of other films including multiple clips.

So, if during the first week of August, you happen to be in the vicinity of Frankfort, Michigan, a lovely resort town on Lake Michigan …

I hope to see you there to explore this interesting subject!