Great essay. I was talking to a friend about this exact same topic and I’d say that there’s a group of films that while not explicitly Christian, are spiritual and pull from the Judeo-Christian tradition. I would say that Groundhog Day falls under this category. I wonder if you agree.
Definitely re: Groundhog Day. It pulls from a lot of traditions (there's a lot of Buddhism in there as well), but there's also a read that it's a romantic comedy inspired by Ecclesiastes.
While I agree with you about the first two "God's Not Dead" movies, I would concede that the third film is far more even-handed and challenging, addressing the issue of how modern secularism is more welcoming and accepting than the contemporary church, and how it can be difficult to reconcile the demographic war the church has been losing every day for decades with the actual meaning of Scripture.
I mean, not a good movie, with shopworn dialogue and thin characterization. But they were trying! I have not seen Part Four.
“Silence” was such a great movie (I really need to read the book). Liam Neeson’s character at the end is so heartbreaking. What does God do with the man who swears off his own faith to save others from injustice, pain, and suffering? How much faith is there in a lifetime of his silence? Pissed me off that Christians didn’t show out in droves to see it. Just told Hollywood that we had no interest in GOOD movies elucidating Christian themes.
I’d also love to see Graham Greene’s “The Power and the Glory” made into a movie. Show me the drunken priest who wallows in worthlessness. Show me the impossibly broken people of God, and how he uses them to work justice and mercy into the world anyway.
Great essay. I was talking to a friend about this exact same topic and I’d say that there’s a group of films that while not explicitly Christian, are spiritual and pull from the Judeo-Christian tradition. I would say that Groundhog Day falls under this category. I wonder if you agree.
Definitely re: Groundhog Day. It pulls from a lot of traditions (there's a lot of Buddhism in there as well), but there's also a read that it's a romantic comedy inspired by Ecclesiastes.
Oh yes! I’ve read about this. Under the same rubric, I guess The Truman Show is spiritual/christian/religious.
While I agree with you about the first two "God's Not Dead" movies, I would concede that the third film is far more even-handed and challenging, addressing the issue of how modern secularism is more welcoming and accepting than the contemporary church, and how it can be difficult to reconcile the demographic war the church has been losing every day for decades with the actual meaning of Scripture.
I mean, not a good movie, with shopworn dialogue and thin characterization. But they were trying! I have not seen Part Four.
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I checked out after the second (which I admit was slightly softer than the first), so you may be right!
“Silence” was such a great movie (I really need to read the book). Liam Neeson’s character at the end is so heartbreaking. What does God do with the man who swears off his own faith to save others from injustice, pain, and suffering? How much faith is there in a lifetime of his silence? Pissed me off that Christians didn’t show out in droves to see it. Just told Hollywood that we had no interest in GOOD movies elucidating Christian themes.
I’d also love to see Graham Greene’s “The Power and the Glory” made into a movie. Show me the drunken priest who wallows in worthlessness. Show me the impossibly broken people of God, and how he uses them to work justice and mercy into the world anyway.