The Spirit and the Screen engages contemporary films from the perspective of pneumatology to give theologies of culture fruitful new perspectives that begin with the Spirit rather than other common theological contact points (Christology, anthropology, theological ethics, creation, eschatology, etc.). This book explores pertinent pneumatological issues that arise in film, as well as literary devices that draw allusions to the Spirit. It offers three main contributions: first, it explores how Christian understandings of the person and work of the Spirit illuminate the nature of film and film-making; second, it shows that there are in fact "Spirit figures" in film (as distinct from but inseparable from Christ-figures), even if sometimes they're not intended as such, "Spirit-led" characters, are moved to act "prophetically," against their inclinations and in excess of their skill or knowledge and with eccentric, life-giving creativity; third, it identifies subtle and explicit symbolizations of the Spirit in pop culture, symbolizations that requires deep, careful thinking about the Christian doctrine of the Spirit and generate new horizons for cultural analysis. The contributors of this book explore these issues, asking how Christian convictions and experiences of the Spirit might shape the way one thinks about films and film-making.
Chris E.W. Green is professor of public theology at Southeastern University and the director of the St Anthony Institute of Theology, Philosophy, and Liturgics. Steven Felix-Jager is associate professor and chair of the Worship Arts and Media program at Life Pacific University.
Chapter 1 Introduction: Beginnings and Aspirations (or: The Spirit Glows Where It Wills) Chris E.W. Green Part 1 | The Spirit and the Nature of Film(making) Chapter 2 The Move of the Spirit: Pneumatology and Temporality in Malick's Cinema Chris E.W. Green Chapter 3 Feed the Birds: Mary Poppins, Film Musicals, and the Spirit of Life Kutter Callaway Chapter 4 Traditioning and the Spirit in Martin Scorsese's Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story Jeffrey S. Lamp Chapter 5 Power of the Spirit: Sayers and Cinema Crystal L. Downing Part 2 | Spirit Figures Chapter 6 POWER. GRACE. WISDOM. WONDER.: The Paraclete in Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman Steven Felix-Jager Chapter 7 Exegeting Samwise the (Brave) Advocate Lucia M. Sanders Chapter 8 Paciencia y Fe: The Spirited Presence of Abuela Claudia in In the Heights Wilmer Estrada-Carrasquillo Chapter 9 The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come': A Pneumatological Exploration of Te Fiti in Disney's Moana D. Coleby Delgado Part 3 | The Spirit-led Life Chapter 10 The Hospitality of the Spirit in Encanto "Joey" Alan Le Chapter 11 'Leave Six Inches for the Holy Spirit': Lady Bird Comes of Age Gaye Williams Morris Chapter 12 Spiritus Absconditus: Listening to the Holy Spirit in Des Hommes et des Dieux Sid D. Sudiacal Chapter 13 A Hidden Life: Nonviolent Civil Disobedience and the Spirit of God in an Age of Totalitarianism Robby Waddell Chapter 14 Conclusion: Collective Themes and Common Threads Steven Felix-Jager
Rather than once again exploring films which have a Christ-figure-e.g., Logan, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest-The Spirit and the Screen focuses instead on the importance of the Spirit, believing that the Spirit of Life is in all things, both inspiring and advocating. The authors of this first-rate collection are a diverse group of younger and more mature scholars, male and female, Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal, white and persons of color. Together, their differing perspectives help readers understand the range and depth of film analysis from a pneumatological perspective. In the process, they break new and helpful ground in theology and film studies. Highly recommended! -- Robert K. Johnston, Fuller Theological Seminary; author of Reel Spirituality and God's Wider Presence
