Webcast: Films and Faith-Exploring Christianity through Visual Media

Film is one of the most important media of our day. The combination of dialogue, images and music has the ability to affect our faith and worldview in powerful, visceral and even subconscious ways. This course looks at three films that touch on many of the most pressing questions of faith: Where was God in tragedies like the Holocaust? What is hope? Life? Law? Gospel? Death? What does it mean to love? Where does truth reside? Biblical texts confront these questions with characteristic energy, creativity and plurality, but so do modern films, only from a distinctly late-/post-modern vantage point. Open to anyone, this course will give you the opportunity to interact in a community of learners with film from the perspective of critical Christian faith.

Some films may be R-rated. Plan to obtain and view the film prior to class. Discussion questions will be provided prior to class. The first two selected films are “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994) and “Noah” (2014).

To participate in the webcast you will need a high-speed Internet connection. Instructions on how to access the webcast will be emailed to participants prior to class. The course will be archived for six weeks for those registered.