God loves movies
September 13, 2007
“Like hell He does!” was my instant reaction.
I was minding my own business, curled up with the latest Modern Reformation, when I was jarred by the title “God Loves Movies.” The article, which turned out to be very lively reading, purports to show that modernist Christianity has neglected to understand how very important visual imagery, drama, and storytelling are to God. How the author got his interview wasn’t revealed.
The author is one Brian Godawa, “…screenwriter for the award-winning feature film ‘To End All Wars,’ and author of ‘Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment.’ ” He cites The Lord of the Rings and The Passion of the Christ as examples of how a visual medium creates a “spiritual gut experience” for the viewer. Indeed.
And then there are dreams and visions: God’s form of television and movies. Joseph’s dreams of fat and skinny zombie cows, Ezekial’s Close Encounters with spinning wheels, Nebuchadnezzar’s Terminator statue, as well as other visions given to dozens of Old and New Testament saints are all stunning high-definition, Dolby Sensurround feasts for the senses as well as spirit. God loves movies. He produced a lot of them.
You can imagine the examples Godawa finds in The Book of Revelation, which he calls “a theatrical orgy of visual imagery, produced, written, and directed by Jesus Christ.”
I don’t know what to think of this article that contradicts so many of my shibboleths. Do not the mental images produced by lucid writing have so much more impact on the senses? Why spend several hours in a theater seat having your senses pounded when a few minutes with a book in hand creates a better image - with more understanding? Why suffer hearing loss from blaring theater sound when an hour at a concert is so much more uplifting?
I guess I have always resented the way movies and TV try to play mind games with me. When it comes to what I subject my mind to, I’m definitely pro-choice. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Dave, which he always was a stubborn cuss.
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6 Responses to “God loves movies”
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oh, papa, methinks you generalize too much! While there are certainly those mind-numbing manipulative movies out there that try to wrest away your brain (not to mention your hearing), there are an equal number of visually appealing, moving, and mentally stimulating movies made by those truly in love with the medium itself and not just the almighty dollar. This I know because I watch LOTS of movies! And with our soon to be unveiled home theatre installation, I’m sure to keep that up for years to come. LOVE the story, LOVE the visuals, LOVE the popcorn. That’s MY story and I’m sticking to it.
Leslie, a chip off the old stubborn cuss
Okay Leslie, gotta chime in here. Movies just don’t do it for me! Every time I’ve read a book, then seen the movie made from it, I’m disappointed. Movies are one dimensional in terms of character development. A book can flesh out thoughts and motives and nuances that a movie just can’t touch. Sure a movie can try to make up for it with great visual, but for the sheer pleasure of a story well told it’s books for me. I like leaving having grist for my imagination, haven’t you ever seen a movie that just wasn’t right, not the way you pictured it? SO count me a chip off the old stubborn cus
Oh, the only thing wrong with not knowing much about movies and the people involved is that I’m totally out of touch with mainstream culture. Renders me speechless in some conversations!
Of course I generalize! Wouldn’t be any fun, else. It appears that you two chips flew off in different directions.
I’m glad that your mom isn’t reading this or I’d have to start calling the Orlop the Doghouse.
This chip is an avid reader also, so I can’t argue with Linda’s thoughts about reading, as I fully agree! But I’ve always kept my love for books and my love for movies/theatre/the arts in general as separate passions, for whatever reason. But Linda are you saying “Gone With the Wind” was a disappointment to Margaret Mitchell’s book? Really? Or “Schindler’s List”? Or “Silence of the Lambs”?? Okay - there are many others that don’t do the wonderful books justice, so I’ll stop there.
I figured my 1st chip flew off too quickly anyway, and would get a comment or too. Oh well.
No doghouse for Orlop. Just chips flying around.
Go to wingclips.com
I use it for Sunday school lessons every week. I may not be an ardent movie goer, but the people in the congregation that I serve do. If I can teach them faith from using movies and the Bible, it’s worthwhile.
I checked out wingclips. I have no problem with video clips in teaching. We almost always have a class going based on some video or other.
Thanks for the tip.