New Book Explores Faith Issues in Recent Film Offerings

Everyone enjoys a good movie--but we often don't recognize the messages of faith interwoven into the movies we watch. The newly released book Finding God in the Movies: 33 Films of Reel Faith ( Baker Books, August 2004), by Catherine M. Barsotti and Robert K. Johnston, of Fuller Seminary, helps readers discern, explore, and understand the Christian themes that emerge from a collection of recent popular films.

The book--referenced in an article on film and faith in the August 16, 2004 issue of Time Magazine--examines 33 different films, from Planet of the Apes and X Men to Life is Beautiful and Billy Elliot. Combining film synopses with theological reflection and discussion questions, the book explores such topics as racial reconciliation, forgiveness, and service. It is structured as a study guide appropriate for either individual readers or small groups.

"Unlike other film review books, [ Finding God in the Movies] appropriates each film's vision of life and invites the reader to interact with it," says David Bruce of HollywoodJesus.com. "Here is an invitation to enhance your journey of faith via the silver screen."

Robert Johnston is professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and a sought-after spokesperson in the area of theology and film. Author of the critically acclaimed book Reel Spirituality, Johnston is codirector of the Reel Spirituality institute of Fuller's Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts.

He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church and formerly served as dean of North Park Theological Seminary.

Catherine Barsotti teaches Spanish-language courses at Centro Hispano de Estudios Teologicos in theology, ethics, and spirituality. She also offers consulting to Christian non- profit organizations in the area of strategic planning and board development. Together with Johnston, her husband, she writes movie reviews for the Covenant Companion and Faith@Work.

Fuller Seminary is the largest multidenominational seminary in the world, with nearly 5,000 students from 70 countries and more than 100 denominations. Fuller provides professional and graduate-level education in its schools of theology, psychology and intercultural studies.