Using Films in Evangelism

Making connections
Paul in Athens (Acts 17:1634)

Observe carefully Find a connection Argue for Christian truth claims

5 Levels of Engaging with films

Aesthetic

Emotional

Intellectual (worldviews)

reality humanity knowledge (and wisdom) morality/ethics redemption

Moral

Tony Watkins, Word Alive 2014

Spiritual
Freedom Happiness Fulfilment / significance Love / community Peace / transcendence

Recommended Reading
Steve Couch and Nick Pollard, Get More Like Jesus While Watching TV (Milton Keynes: Damaris, 2005). Peter Fraser and Vernon Edwin Neal, ReViewing the Movies: A Christian Response to Contemporary Film (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2000). Brian Godawa, Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment (Downers Grove, Il.: IVP, 2002). William D. Romanowski, Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture 2nd edition (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos Press, 2007). James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (fourth edition) (Downers Grove, Ill: IVP, 2004). James W. Sire, Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 2004). Ted Turnau, Popologetics: Popular Culture in Christian Perspective (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2012). Steve Turner, Popcultured: Thinking Christianly About Style, Media and Entertainment (IVP, 2013). Tony Watkins, Focus: The Art and Soul of Cinema (Milton Keynes: Damaris Books, 2007).

Online
Tony Watkins tonywatkins.co.uk twitter.com/tonywatkins_ facebook.com/TonyWatkinsPage Writings, clippings and resources about contemporary culture, particularly film. Of particular note are the posts on running film discussions, and good films to discuss (see recommended posts in the right-hand column). Damaris damaris.org

Damaris Film Blog (damaris.org/filmblog): provides free discussion guides to help a wide range of people to think about ideas and issues raised by the latest films. They cover the five levels of engaging with film (see above), but questions on spirituality are generally not explicitly Christian as the guides are for use by entirely secular groups. They are designed to get people thinking about the right issues, which will hopefully lead to interest in reading material on the Film & Bible Blog. Suitable for use by individuals, families or small groups, these are also ideal for Damaris Film Clubs. Film & Bible Blog (damaris.org/filmandbible): provides free articles and discussion questions to help people think about ideas and issues raised by the latest films in relation to the Bible. It provides a follow-on to the Damaris Film Blog and explicitly considers what the Bible says about issues raised in films. It does not assume any Christian background. Suitable for anyone interested in films and the Bible, and for Damaris Film Clubs which are run by Christians. Damaris Film Clubs (damaris.org/filmclubs) bring together friends, families, clubs and communities to share, explore, reflect and discuss movies, their themes and the ideas they raise. Damaris Film Clubs get priority access to the free official resources provided by Damaris, containing special video features incorporating clips from the film as well as posters, invitations, themed recipes, quizzes, discussion questions and background information in addition to opportunities to see advance previews and even win tickets to red carpet premieres. Engaging Media engagingmedia.info Engaging Media is at a very early stage of development, but is planned to be the hub for the media engagement strand of the Lausanne Movement.

Tony Watkins, Word Alive 2014