God in the Movies

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Ralph Winter

“God in the Movies is an essential text for courageous moviegoers. Paying attention to forty years of cinematic excellence and leading us into the questions raised by art’s provocative ambiguities, Barsotti, Johnston, and their community of cinephiles celebrate an incarnational vision. They show us that the Spirit moves in mysterious ways throughout the world of cinema—in movies popular and obscure, commercial and foreign, inspiring and disturbing. With prophetic understanding, they coax us to become wise interpreters of the world’s big-screen dreams. They give us ‘eyes to see.”

Jeffrey Overstreet

“Spirituality in movies? You bet! With their book God in the Movies, Barsotti and Johnston present a host of insightful essays. Each gives us eyes to see the subtle but powerful nuggets of spiritual wisdom tucked into mainstream Hollywood films. You’ve seen most of these movies; now take a second look. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find!”

David C. McFadzean

“Catherine Barsotti and Rob Johnston, experts in expressing the profound connections between faith and culture, have opened up the conversation even further in their newest book together, God in the Movies. They have drawn together brilliant authors, prophetic films, and fabulous insight into the importance of movies—their messages, their meaning, and their influence on our hearts, minds, and spirits. Christians today must be culturally engaged, and this book challenges us and guides us to connect our appetites for entertainment with our hunger for discussing divine truth.”

Karen Covell

“At their best, films help people engage with the most profound questions of human life. Christianity—and all religion—does this in a much more comprehensive way. In God in the Movies, Barsotti and Johnston do a wonderful job of showing how film can stimulate religious discussion and how those discussions can inform our viewing of films.”

George Nolfi

“To read God into movies is not difficult. To find God there waiting for us—now, that is something else altogether. Finding God in the Movies peels back God’s presence in thirty-three compelling films, leading us from superficial analysis and utilitarian agendas to deep, personal engagement. Bravo!”

Sally Morgenthaler

“Written with humility, grace, and sensitivity, Finding God in the Movies will be a tremendous resource for those seeking light inside the cinema. More than just a guide to great films, this book is a window into how to engage with them and find on the other side a deeper understanding of the Lord.”

Todd Komarnicki

“An important and insightful book that held me spellbound. Once again, Barsotti and Johnston demonstrate their incredible ability to dialogue with both Hollywood and the community of faith. They offer rich spiritual insights and astute observations on thirty-three films. Unlike other film review books, they appropriate each film’s vision of life and invite the reader to interact with it. Here is an invitation to enhance your journey of faith via the silver screen.”

David Bruce

“In every arena of youth ministry today, we are seeing that movies are providing students many of their takes on life. Those of us seeking to minister to youth need effective resources to help them engage in dialogue between faith and film. Finding God in the Movies can help you use movies more authentically in your teaching and outreach. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.”

Cliff Anderson