Iron Sharpens Iron: Doug Geivett: Faith, Film & Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen (Christianity & the Arts)

Monday, March 15, 2010

Doug Geivett: Faith, Film & Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen (Christianity & the Arts)

Doug Geivett, Professor of Philosophy in the Talbot Department of Philosophy at Biola University, La Mirada, CA, will address the theme: "Faith, Film & Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen (Christianity & the Arts)".

Tonight's theme comes from the title of a book edited by Doug Geivett and James Spiegel (see http://www.faith-film-philosophy.com/index.html). According to Doug's web site:

"Those who tell stories rule society."
- Plato

So who today are our principal storytellers? Not philosophers, but filmmakers. For those who know both the enormous entertainment potential and the culture-shaping power of film, this book will stir mind and imagination. For great stories freight world-sized ideas, ideas worthy of contemplation and conversation. Great cinema inspires wonder. But another philosopher, Aristotle, reminds us that wonder is the true source of philosophy. So perhaps Plato or Aristotle might have a shot at ruling society, even today--if they took an interest in film.

The fourteen essays of Faith, Film and Philosophy explore big ideas as they are treated on the big screen. The book explores classic and contemporary films, together with several major philosophical themes, all from a Christian perspective.

Citizen Kane, Big Fish, and Pretty Woman treat us to a deeper-than-expected consideration of the human condition.

The Truman Show, The Matrix, Being John Malkovich, and It's a Wonderful Life, and other popular films provide absorbing insights into the nature of knowledge and of the human mind.

Looking at the moral life, contributors peel back layers of meaning in Pleasantville, Bowling for Columbine, Mystic River and The Silence of the Lambs.

In the final section of the book, three chapters trace the theme of faith and religion in relation to science (Contact and 2001: A Space Odyssey), Kung Fu (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and other Hong Kong films), and the meaning of life (U2's Rattle and Hum).

Faith, Film and Philosophy is a virtual film festival for all who wish to nurture the wonder of philosophical inquiry and the love of Christian theology through an engagement with big ideas on the big screen.

Doug Geivett will be the featured speaker at the Christianity and the Arts Conference, Thursday, March 18th through Saturday, March 20th at:

Presbyterian Church of Manchester, 394 Lydall Street Manchester, CT 06042-3301 (map). For details visit www.ManchesterPCA.org or call (860)643-0906.

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