1. Popular Art & Culture © John Stevenson, 2008

2. John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis The invention of the arts, and other things which serve the common use and conveniences of life, is a gift of God by no means to be despised and a faculty worthy of commendation.

3. What should be a Christian response to popular movies and entertainment? Stay away! Selectively enjoy them Use them as a bridge to teach truths from God Use them for their insights into today’s culture and thinking

4. Tumnis: One day he’ll be here, and the next he won’t. But you mustn’t press him. After all, he’s not a tame lion. Lucy: No, but he’s good.

5. (Prince Caspian) Lucy: “Aslan, you're bigger. Aslan: “That is because you are older, little one.” Lucy: “Not because you are?” Aslan: “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

7. “Over three and a half centuries ago, linked by faith and bound by a common desire for liberty, a small band of pilgrims sought out a place in the New World where they could worship according to their own beliefs”

8. Four Roles for Popular Art Communicating cultural values and ideals Offering social and cultural criticism Providing social unity Contributing to the collective memory

9. Which Role is being Utilized? Communicating cultural values and ideals Offering social and cultural criticism Providing social unity Contributing to the collective memory

10. Which Role is being Utilized? Communicating cultural values and ideals Offering social and cultural criticism Providing social unity Contributing to the collective memory

11. Which Role is being Utilized? Communicating cultural values and ideals Offering social and cultural criticism Providing social unity Contributing to the collective memory

12. Which Role is being Utilized? Communicating cultural values and ideals Offering social and cultural criticism Providing social unity Contributing to the collective memory

13. Which Role is being Utilized? Communicating cultural values and ideals Offering social and cultural criticism Providing social unity Contributing to the collective memory

14. Review A Christian world view impacts how we see the God, the world, and ourselves. Christians have used different approaches in the past and present to deal with culture While our culture will always impact us, an awareness of that impact will help us to evaluate that impact and, when necessary, to counter it

16. What are the basic characteristics of the classical Hollywood film?

17. Major Plot Motifs The Romance / Love Story The Quest / Journey The Flight / Escape The Comedy The Sacrifice The Tragedy Redemption The Metamorphosis / Coming of Age The Battle between Good & Evil

18. Major Plot Motifs The Romance / Love Story The Quest / Journey The Flight / Escape The Comedy The Sacrifice The Tragedy Redemption The Metamorphosis / Coming of Age The Battle between Good & Evil

19. The Biblical Narrative as a Love Story The Old Testament Romance (Ezekiel 16) The New Testament Romance Revelation 19) The Romance of Redemption

20. The Biblical Narrative as a Quest Creation –Quest for a people –Quest for a land Israel –Quest for a people –Quest for a land The Church –Quest for a people –Quest for a heavenly kingdom

21. Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

22. Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

23. Hebrews 11:14-16 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

24. The Biblical Narrative and the Escape Escaping the Presence of God (Genesis 3) Escaping the Flood (Genesis 6-9) Escaping Egypt (Exodus 1-15) The King Escapes (2 Samuel 15) The Escape of the Greater King (Matthew 2) The way of our escape

25. The Biblical Narrative and the Sacrifice The Coats of Skin (Genesis 3) Abraham (Genesis 6-9) The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) The Sacrificial System (Leviticus) The Lamb of God (John 1:29)

26. The Biblical Narrative and the Tragedy The Older Brother Motif –Cain –Ishmael –Esau –The Prodigal Son Too Little, Too Late –Lot’s wife –The Rich Man & Lazarus

27. The Biblical Narrative and the Comedy Tragedy and the Nature of Comedy Examples of Biblical Comedy –Adam hiding from God –Ehud and Eglon (Judges 3) –Abimelech and the millstone (Judges 9:52-55) –The Philistines and the Ark of God (1 Sam 5) –The fool (Psalm 19:1) –The Foolishness of the Cross (1 Cor 1:18)

28. The Biblical Narrative and Redemption The Exodus Event The Redemption Laws Ruth, a Romance of Redemption Jesus as Redeemer

29. The Biblical Narrative and Metamorphosis The First Adam The Last Adam The Transfiguration Our Transfiguration And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Romans 12:2)

30. The Biblical Narrative and Metamorphosis The First Adam The Last Adam The Transfiguration Our Transfiguration Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2)

32. Are all “family” films worth watching? If not, what separates worthwhile family films from those that are not?

33. “Showing the perspectival nature of popular art can turn the tables on the mainstream culture by demonstrating that all art and music reveals life perspectives that are ultimately driven by moral and religious convictions and can be critically evaluated along these lines.”

34. Should evil be graphically depicted in modern forms of art?

35. How are the themes of forgiveness and redemption portrayed in popular art?

37. Why do people – Christians included – want, even demand happy endings?

38. The Quest for Happy Endings

39. What should Christians make of our cultural obsession with living happily ever after?