Intelligent Christians Who Write About Art
That title is just too long. I can tell I’m rusty.
The point is that I perceive there to be shortage of the above. There may be millions, but if so, then they aren’t promoted. The sad reality is that too many Christians think Art is quite useless (and not in a Wilde way), and…vice versa.
So when my wife bought me Faith, Film, and Philosophy I was a little skeptical that the various authors might come out swinging against movies for portraying a sinful world or promoting a pagan philosophy. So far, I have been pleasantly surprised. A few of the movies discussed: Citizen Kane, Big Fish, Pretty Woman, The Truman Show, Being John Malkovich, The Matrix, Pleasantville, Bowling for Columbine, Mystic River, Silence of the Lambs, Contact, 2001. All quality flicks. And that is what has impressed me most in reading so far: that quality films are being acknowledged as works of art, their underlying philosophical presuppositions are being analyzed, and that these assumptions are intelligently discussed in their impact on culture and their relation to Christian principles.
I can’t wait to read the chapter on Charlie Kauffman’s films.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
They are indeed out there. Hopefully I can become one of them!
I also write a blog dedicated to faith and the arts at http://www.bodycreativenetwork.com.
I will have to pick up Faith, Film and Philosophy. Looks like a great book.
You also may want to check out Nigel Goodwin, Madeline Le’Engle, Makoto Fujimura and Dick Staub. Some of the many great minds when it comes to faith and art.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
I’ve read L’Engle’s book on Christianity and Art, Walking on Water. Excellent.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I bought the book because of a good review in Books and Culture. Generally, I can tell from those reviews if you’ll like it or not. I was right this time! I wish I had more time to read B&C, because every time I do, there’s at least one book that jumps out that is usually worth the effort.