Finding God in the Movies: 33 Films
of Reel Faith by Robert K. Johnston
Good Book
You love movies. Who Doesnt? In Finding God in the Movies
Catherine Barsotti and Robert Johnston show you how to combine your
love of movies with your desire for God. Introducing thirty-three films of
faith--ranging from Tender Mercies to X-Men--the authors identify and
explore key biblical themes like forgiveness, faith, and repentance. An
enthusiastic guide for the individual movie lover or small group, this
resource contains production notes and film synopses, relevant Scripture
texts, theological reflection, recommended video clips, discussion
questions, and more. It will deepen your fervor for film and for God.
Personal Review: Finding God in the Movies: 33 Films of Reel
Faith by Robert K. Johnston
Catherine Barsotti and Robert Johnston --- husband and wife --- give
thoughtful Christians a book full of tools to help them view select movies

(33 in all; the oldest released in 1982) through a theological or
philosophical lens.
FINDING GOD IN THE MOVIES starts with an informative introduction that
discusses the film genre and theological approaches to film. What makes a
good film? "Head, gut, and heart. The best movies will engage the whole
person." How does a viewer find God in the movies? "Unpack the story....
What is more primary in the way the story is shaped? (1) Is it the plot...?
(2) Is it the characters...? (3) Is it the point of view, where a story is given
value by the perspective of the narrator(s)...? Or (4) is it the
atmosphere...?...Concentrate your critical attention on where the
filmmakers have centered their attention. By doing this, you will prove a
more receptive viewer of the story and perhaps the Story."
Each of the 33 movie-chapters starts with a two- or three-page "synopsis
and theological reflection" --- a review. This is followed by "dialogue texts"
(relevant biblical passages), "discussion questions," "clip conversations"
(more discussion questions but about specific scenes), and several pages
of "bonus material," which includes interesting behind-the-scenes
information about the making and makers of the film. Movies also are
clearly linked to two helpful appendices: one listing (Genesis to Revelation)
relevant biblical references; one listing (A to Z) topics covered in or themes
of the movies (for example, Abuse; Affirming the Human Spirit; Anger;
Arguing with God; Balance in Life).
The movie-chapters are presented in 13 categories, the more blatantly
religious ("Living Our Faith"; "Images of the Savior"; "Renewing the
Church") placed toward the end of the book. You might want to start your
exploration in these later categories or simply bounce around. The second
of the 13 categories, "Beauty, Imagination, and Creativity," discusses two
Pacific Rim movies, Spirited Away and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,
that celebrate imagination and creativity but may be hard for the neophyte
to discuss theologically.
This is a book for Christians who have an understanding of common grace,
"the wider work of God's Spirit throughout and within all creatures and
creation," and for those who are open to dialogue with the secular world.
What are some of the films discussed? Life Is Beautiful. Ulee's Gold. The
Hurricane. Simon Birch. Chocolat. We Were Soldiers.
By using this guide you might get the hang of facilitating a movie-
discussion group and then move on to films you wish the authors had
included. We'd all have our own list. Mine? The Trip to Bountiful. Cinema
Paradiso. Babette's Feast. The Quarrel. Smoke. Maybe I should check out
Johnston's earlier book REEL SPIRITUALITY: Theology and Film in
Dialogue (Baker, 2000).
--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

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