Kertson May Newsletter

Summer Film and Theology
A Ministry Update from the Kertsons

Stories have an enduring ability to make an impact on their hearers, or in the case of movies, their viewer’s hearts. Jesus was a master story teller using parables, illustrations and thought experiments to capture the imaginations of his hearers and to point them toward deeper truths in our world and for our lives. Thousands of years later, storytelling has changed a bit as it has moved to the big screen with special effects, professional actors and hundred million dollar budgets. Still, these stories continue to wrestle with the deepest truths of life and of the human condition.
 
This summer Chi Alpha San Diego is finding God in the movies. We are looking at the stories told by some of the best storytellers of our day and asking questions about faith, hope, love, community, sin, and joy, just to name a few. We have watched funny movies, absurd movies, and deeply moving movies. Each week after the film we have a discussion about scripture and the major faith themes the film portrays. Sometimes we find ourselves affirming the film’s point of view, sometimes we find ourselves questioning it. Our guide along the way has been the book, “God in the Movies: A guide for Exploring Four Decades of Film,” by two of my Fuller Seminary professors, Catherin Barsotti and Robert Johnston.
 
We have also been asking larger questions about stories and art such as “What makes a piece of art Christian?” Is it the person that made the art? The art having a gospel message? The art being true to life? The intended audience? Or “what should be the criteria of whether we watch a film as Christians?” Is it the rating? A lack of negative content? A redeeming storyline? Truth?
 
It has been a ton of fun and a good change of pace of the summer. It’s been exciting to meet some new friends of our current students and even some new incoming freshman. Finally, I think we are broaching an important topic for students in our digital age.