Christianity and Film

Edited by John Lyden.
London: Routledge, 2009.
For print version locations, see the UofT Library Catalogue.
Includes several historical chapters about the relationship between Christianity and film, and chapters on specific categories including redemption, apocalyptic, and Jesus and Christ-figures.

By Robert K. Johnston.
2nd edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006.
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A valuable companion for the Christian wishing to become a more thoughtful and discerning film viewer. Includes chapters on Theological Approaches to Film Criticism; Image and Music; Responding to Film Ethically: Moving Beyond the Rating System, and more. Very comprehensive bibliography.

Edited by Robert K. Johnston.
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007.
For print version locations, see the UofT Library Catalogue.
In addition to providing a good overview of the film and faith dialogue, this book offers useful suggestions on how it can actually move forward. The essays are by recognized scholars and fall into one of six sections, such as Moving Beyond a Literary Paradigm and Extending Our Conversation Partners.

By Craig Detweiler.
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
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This insightful book explores forty-five recent popular movies for theological substance. The films are organized by theme into three parts—Identity, Community, and History—and represent many genres. The general bent is that of emergent/post-liberal Christianity. The author draws convincingly on theology, popular culture, and critical theory, and is eager to learn from those outside the church.

By Christopher Deacy.
Aldershot, UK: Ashgate, 2005.
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Densely-packed essays touching on many relevant topics: religion and popular culture, audience reception, the star system, similarities between religion and cinema, and popular vs. art-house cinema. Includes reasonably detailed readings of seven Hollywood films and a useful bibliography.

Edited by Clive Marsh and Gaye Ortiz.
Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.
Older yet still relevant, the articles here interact well with both theology and film theory. After attempting to stake a place for theology within film studies, the book uses a number of films and filmmakers as occasion for exploring such themes as redemption and liberation. Closes with article “A Future Agenda for Theology and Film”.

Edited by Colleen McDannell.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
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Thirteen essays, each on a movie in which Catholic characters feature prominently. The book amounts essentially to a history of Hollywood through its relationship—on and off-screen—with Catholics and the Church. At the same time, each essay is a model of intelligent critical engagement with a film text and can be read on its own.