Screening Scripture offers a unique new perspective on religion and film. The book proposes that there is no natural connection between scripture and film-even for those movies that seem to have an obvious relationship to religious text. It is only the viewer that makes this connection. From this perspective, Screening Scripture opens up new possibilities for viewing these movies and reading these texts with each other.
The contributors to this volume serve as creative viewers who make these connections for some of today's most popular and provocative films. The scriptures discussed include not only the Bible, but apocryphal, heretical, and non-Western scriptures. In the hands of these writers, the films provide fresh insights into the scriptures. Contributors to this volume:
George Aichele (Adrian College) on Pleasantville
Roland Boer (Monash University) on Total Recall
Ralph Brabban (Chowan College) on Midnight Cowboy
Fred Burnett (Anderson University) on Lethal Weapon
Carl Dyke (Methodist College) on The Life of Brian
Julie Kelso (University of Queensland) on David and Bathsheba
Neal McCrillis (Columbus State University) on The Giant Behemoth
Tina Pippin (Agnes Scott College) on Dracula
Jennifer Rohrer-Walsh (Methodist College) on The Prince of Egypt
Mark Roncace (Emory University) on Sling Blade
Erin Runions (Barnard College) on Boys Don't Cry
Jeffrey Staley (Seattle University) on Patch Adams
Richard Walsh (Methodist College) on End of Days
George Aichele is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan and is the author of The Control of Biblical Meaning.
Richard Walsh is Professor of Religion, co-director of the Honors Program, and Assistant Academic Dean at Methodist College, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is the author of Mapping the Myths of Biblical Interpretation
Industry Reviews
"[T]his is not merely a sophisticated critique [E]ach of the thirteen authors seeks to bring films and biblical texts into dialogue in order to see if light might be thrown on both conversation partners This is a fascinating contribution to the study of religion as well as hermeneutics." Diane Bergant C.S.A., The Bible Today, July/August 2003--Sanford Lakoff
"Boldly challenges the reader to view scripture through the interpretive lens of individual authors and of contemporary films."--Sanford Lakoff
"I found this book so valuable that I will be attempting to build a class around it..Screening Scripture is valuable because it serves to link traditional Western religion with contemporary symbols and concerns." Catlyn Keenan, Department of Social Sciences, Philosophy and Religion, Front Range Community College.--Sanford Lakoff
"The book represents the next stage of sophisticated studies of religion and film."--Sanford Lakoff
"The diverse and rich selection of texts ranges from Genesis to Revelation, and David and Bathsheba to End of Days." John R. May--Sanford Lakoff
"This colorful collection contains some of the smartest writing on Bible and film that I have seen. Two Thumbs up!"--Sanford Lakoff
The lively essays comprising Screening Scripture claim that certain films quote or translate the Christian scriptures in a different medium, interpreting and presenting biblical insights in vivid images. The essays use contemporary film, cultural criticism, and psychoanalytic theory to exhibit the profound, subtle, and skillful way the films discussed reference scripture. The book represents the next stage of sophisticated studies of religion and film. Margaret R. Miles, author of Seeing and Believing: Religion and Values in the Movies--Margaret R. Miles
Screening Scripture provides a provocative viewing of how contemporary culture can re-awaken and re-interpret ancient scripture. From Arnold Schwarzenegger to S. Paul; Midnight Cowboy to the book of Ruth; Sling Blade to Jesus, this series of essays instigates an examination of the relationship between culture and religion. Screening Scripture boldly challenges the reader to view scripture through the interpretive lens of individual authors and of contemporary films. Conrad Ostwalt, Professor of Religion and co-editor of Screening the Sacred--Conrad Ostwalt
This colorful collection contains some of the smartest writing on Bible and film that I have seen. Two thumbs up! Stephen D. Moore, author of God's Gym and God's Beauty Parlor--Stephen D. Moore
These essays are invitations to consider, to differ, and to converse. Bible Editions & Versions, 6.1, January-March 2005
