Light Shining in a Dark Place: Discovering Theology through Film

by Jeff Sellars

Overview

In Light Shining in a Dark Place, Jeff Sellars has drawn together more than a dozen scholars around the theme of discovering theology through the moving medium of film. The varied contributors in this collection explore, through their particular lenses, how theological ideas might be seen in and considered through one of the most popular of modern art forms. From subjects of sin, grace, and forgiveness to violence, science fiction/fantasy, and zombies, Light Shining in a Dark Place assists the theologically interested film viewer in tracing the light that might be found in the filmic arts back to the source of all lights. Contributors: Bruce L. Edwards, J. Sage Elwell, Michael Leary, Peter Malone, Kevin C. Neece, Simon Oliver, Kim Paffenroth, J. Ryan Parker, Travis Prinzi, Megan J. Robinson, Scott Shiffer, James H. Thrall, and Alissa Wilkinson

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630875831
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	06/04/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	252
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Jeff Sellars, PhD, currently teaches philosophy and humanities in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Visit www.lightshining.org for more information on Light Shining in a Dark Place and related materials.
Jeff Sellars teaches philosophy, humanities, and religious studies in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Table of Contents

Notes on the Contributors vii

Acknowledgements xi

Introduction Jeff Sellars xiii

Section I From Out of the Darkness, Into the Light: Evil, Violence, Depths, and Trauma

1 Representing Evil in Schindler's List and Life is Beautiful Simon Oliver 3

2 Imagining a Better Way: Ben X and Marjorie Suchocki's The Fall to Violence: Original Sin in Relational Theology J. Ryan Parker 18

3 De Profundis ... Out of the Shallows ... Enter the Void Peter Malone 34

4 Recalling Jesus: Form, Theory, and Trauma in Jesus Cinema Michael Leary 51

Section II From Light to Light: Grace, Forgiveness, and Community

5 Embracing Failure and Extending Grace in a Digital Age: Viewing The Social Network and Catfish Theologically J. Sage Elwell 63

6 There Will Be Frogs: P. T. Anderson and the Strangeness of Common Grace Alissa Wilkinson 78

7 Solitude, Search, and Forgiveness in Paris, Texas: An Augustinian Turn Jeff Sellars 88

8 Graphic Theology: Community, Imago Dei, and Temptation in 300 Megan J. Robinson 98

9 Making Dinner: The Artistry of Communal Meals in Babette's Feast and Antonia's Line James H. Thrall 107

Section III From the Light, Into the Darkness: Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Apocalypse

10 The Parable of the Poltergeist: Making Righteous Use of the Element of Horror Travis Prinzi 119

11 The Undiscovered Country: Star Trek and the Christian's Human Journey Kevin C. Neece 131

12 Theological Reflections and Philosophical Themes in the New DC Comic Films: Faith and Spirituality, Self-Identity, and Worldview through Comic Book Cartoon Movie Adaptations Scott Shiffer 142

13 C. S. Lewis contra Cinema Bruce L. Edwards 153

14 Fantasy, Escapism, and Narrative in Pan's Labyrinth Jeff Sellars 175

15 Apocalyptic Images and Prophetic Function in Zombie Films Kim Paffenroth 191

Bibliography 211

Index 219