Nourishing Faith Through Fiction: Reflections of the Apostles' Creed in Literature and Film (Communication, Culture & Theology.)

Rating:
Summary: Ancient faith; modern text
Review: John May brings us a unique relection on the Apostles' Creed through the books we read and the films we see. Setting religious tradition and Sacred Scripture alongside contemporary culture, he demonstates that religious revelation is a continuous on-going process affecting who we are and how we view the world. John May explores nearly one hindred works of fiction, inviting us to see that the stories (some familiar to us) carry both religious meaning and affect our whole being at the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual levels. His choice of book is often surprising and it comes as a revelation in itself as to where may sees the passion of Christ in 20th century literature.
Taking the text of the creed as a starting point, he explores the themes of the existence of God, the life, death and resurrection of Christ and the life of the Spirit in the Church and the World. This might be seen as a companioon volume to Hans Kung's 'Credo' which does the same thing through the medium of art.
It is a must for those preparing sermons, discussion groups, particulary with intelligent teenagers at school.

Rating:
Summary: A carefully worded and thought-out study
Review: Nourishing Faith Through Fiction: Reflections Of The Apostles' Creed In Literature And Film attests that the books we read and the films we see have overwhelming impact on who we are and how we perceive the world. How does exposure to mass media relate to Christian spirituality? Which popular culture films exist in harmony with religious values? Author John R. May (Alumni Professor of English and Religious Studies at Louisiana State University) does his best to answer these questions by reviewing and analyzing nearly one hundred works of fiction, informing the reader of which stories aptly reflect Christian theology and which run contrary to standard Christian beliefs. Highly recommended and informative reading for students of Christian theology, spirituality, literature and film, Nourishing Faith Through Fiction is a carefully worded and thought-out study and compelling criticism of numerous products borne from our money-hungry popular culture.