The study of theology and film is fewer than three decades old. What, then, does the future hold for this evolving subject? In Reframing Theology and Film, Robert Johnston has drawn together more than a dozen scholars who regularly write and teach on the topic; their contributions explore how the discipline of theology and film can flourish and mature. The book also emphasizes the overlooked and undervalued aspects of theology and film. Contributors include:  
  
Craig Detweiler  
Barry Taylor  
Gaye Williams Ortiz  
Sara Anson Vaux  
Gordon Lynch  
Terry Lindvall  
Clive Marsh  
Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparran  
Catherine M. Barsotti  
John Lyden  
Mitch Avila  
Christopher Deacy  
Rose Pacatte, FSP  
Gerard Loughlin  
Robert K. Johnston  
  
"Here is a fine collection of essays full of rich detail, engaging insights, and provocative suggestions. The impressive cast of authors points beyond many of the usual frames of study, offering original perspectives and new approaches. Without exception, the chapters make a valuable contribution to ongoing dynamic conversations. This is a 'must-read' for anyone with an interest in film and theology."  
\--__Jolyon Mitchell__, senior lecturer, Edinburgh University; author of Media Violence and Christian Ethics and coeditor of The Religion and Film Reader "In this single volume, the field of theology and film has matured from infancy to adulthood. Robert Johnston has assembled a top-notch group of scholars to set the stage for emerging directions in the field. No future writing on the topic can ignore the categories reframed by the contributors here."  
\--__S. Brent Plate__, editor of Representing Religion in World Cinema and coeditor of The Religion and Film Reader

__Robert K. Johnston__ (PhD, Duke University) is professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the coeditor of both the Engaging Culture and the Cultural Exegesis series and is the author or coauthor of several books, including Useless Beauty, Finding God in the Movies, and Reel Spirituality.

The connection between theology and film is a hot topic in the academy and the church. But research and writing on methodology and hermeneutics is lacking. This comprehensive collection identifies the overlooked or undervalued areas in the current discussions of film and theology. Including contributions from the leaders in the field, Reframing Theology and Film helps deepen the conversation while bringing it to a new level of prominence. Professors and students of theology and film, libraries, pastors, and film buffs will benefit from this much-needed resource.

Identifies and explicates the areas that are currently being overlooked or undervalued in the current discussions of theology and film.

Acknowledgments  
Notes on the Contributors  
Introduction: Revisioning the Discipline (Robert K. Johnston)  
Section 1: Moving Beyond a "Literary" Paradigm  
1\. Seeing and Believing: Film Theory as a Window into a Visual Faith (Craig Detweiler)  
2\. The Color of Sound: Music and Meaning Making in Film (Barry Taylor)  
Section 2: Broadening Our Film Selection  
3\. World Cinema: Opportunities for Dialogue with Religion and Theology (Gaye Williams Ortiz)  
4\. Letters on Better Movies (Sara Anson Vaux)  
Section 3: Extending Our Conversation Partners  
5\. Film and the Subjective Turn: How the Sociology of Religion Can Contribute to Theological Readings of Film (Gordon Lynch)  
6\. Hollywood Chronicles: Toward an Intersection of Church History and Film History (Terry Lindvall)  
Section 4: Engaging the Viewer  
7\. On Dealing with What Films Actually Do to People: The Practice and Theory of Film Watching in Theology/Religion and Film Discussion (Clive Marsh)  
8\. Polanyi's Personal Knowledge and Watching Movies (Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparran)  
9\. Películas--¿Through Whose Lenses? Going to the Movies with Latinas in LA (Catherine M. Barsotti)  
Section 5: Reconsidering the Normative  
10\. Theology and Film: Interreligious Dialogue and Theology (John Lyden)  
11\. From Film Emotion to Normative Criticism (Mitch Avila)  
12\. From Bultmann to Burton, Demythologizing the Big Fish: The Contribution of Modern Christian Theologians to the Theology-Film Conversation (Christopher Deacy)  
Section 6: Making Use of Our Theological Traditions  
13\. Shaping Morals, Shifting Views: Have the Rating Systems Influenced How (Christian) America Sees Movies? (Rose Pacatte, FSP)  
14\. Within the Image: Film as Icon (Gerard Loughlin)  
15\. Transformative Viewing: Penetrating the Story's Surface (Robert K. Johnston)

Cover Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Acknowledgments 

Notes on the Contributors 

Introduction: Reframing the Discussion 

Section 1: Moving beyond a “Literary” Paradigm 

1. Seeing and Believing: Film Theory as a Window into a Visual Faith

2. The Colors of Sound: Music and Meaning Making in Film

Section 2: Broadening Our Film Selection 

3. World Cinema: Opportunities for Dialogue with Religion and Theology

4. Letters on Better Movies

Section 3: Extending Our Conversation Partners 

5. Film and the Subjective Turn: How the Sociology of Religion Can Contribute to Theological Readings of Film

6. Hollywood Chronicles: Toward an Intersection of Church History and Film History

Section 4: Engaging the Experience of the Viewer 

7. On Dealing with What Films Actually Do to People: The Practice and Theory of Film Watching in Theology/Religion and Film Discussion

8. Polanyi's Personal Knowledge and Watching Movies

9. Películas—¿A Gaze from Reel to Real? Going to the Movies with Latinas in Los Angeles

Section 5: Reconsidering the Normative 

10. Theology and Film: Interreligious Dialogue and Theology

11. From Film Emotion to Normative Criticism

12. From Bultmann to Burton, Demythologizing the Big Fish: The Contribution of Modern Christian Theologians to the Theology-Film Conversation

Section 6: Making Better Use of Our Theological Traditions 

13. Shaping Morals, Shifting Views: Have the Rating Systems Influenced How (Christian) America Sees Movies?

14. Within the Image: Film as Icon

15. Transformative Viewing: Penetrating the Story's Surface

Movies Cited 

The connection between theology and film is a hot topic in the academy and the church. But research and writing on methodology and hermeneutics is lacking. This comprehensive collection identifies the overlooked or undervalued areas in the current discussions of film and theology. Including contributions from the leaders in the field,Reframing Theology and Filmhelps deepen the conversation while bringing it to a new level of prominence. Professors and students of theology and film, libraries, pastors, and film buffs will benefit from this much-needed resource.

Identifies the overlooked or undervalued areas in the discussions of film and theology. Including contributions from the leaders in the field, this book helps deepen the conversation while bringing it to a level of prominence. It is useful to professors and students of theology and film, libraries, pastors, and film buffs.

The connection between theology and film is a hot topic in the academy and the church. But research and writing on methodology and hermeneutics is lacking. This comprehensive collection identifies the overlooked or undervalued areas in the current discussions of film and theology. Including contributions from the leaders in the field, "Reframing Theology and Film" helps deepen the conversation while bringing it to a new level of prominence. Professors and students of theology and film, libraries, pastors, and film buffs will benefit from this much-needed resource.

Robert K. Johnston (PhD, Duke University) is professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the coeditor of the Engaging Culture and Cultural Exegesis series and is the author or coauthor of several books, including Useless Beauty, Finding God in the Movies, and Reel Spirituality.

Reframing Theology and Film (Cultural Exegesis) [eBook]

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