This book is a collaboration between a biblical scholar (Mary Ann Beavis) and a practical theologian (HyeRan Kim-Cragg) who are concerned with the way that the Bible is portrayed and interpreted in popular culture, including but not limited to the movies. This concern points to a need for a conversation, examining what the Bible actually says, in order to uncover transformations and distortions of the biblical stories in the wider culture--including Christian culture. Our conversation is counter-cultural, not in an oppositional way, but taking an alternative posture that aims to provide different insights by drawing from and closely looking at the Bible. The chapters take a Christian canonical approach, articulating "what the Bible says" (and doesn't say) with regard to culturally pervasive themes such as sin and salvation, Christ and Antichrist, heaven and hell, in contrast to popular understandings as disseminated in (primarily) film, advertising, television, etc. We hope that together we will open up fertile academic, ecclesial, and secular space for disclosing loaded cultural and ideological views towards offering positive and intriguing insights embedded in the Bible.
"Are you looking for exciting new program ideas for your
church's youth and young adult group leaders? A text to add
cultural relevance to your courses on ministry or Bible study? A
resource to recommend to graduates wishing to update their access
to the latest biblical scholarship? Or a stimulating volume for
yourself that, incidentally, requires you to watch a few movies?
Look no further. To the rescue comes this offering from a pair of
cross-disciplinary scholars who engage you in conversation,
challenge you to re-examine your assumptions, and equip you with
fresh understanding for your own teaching, ministry, and
scholarship. That the volume's global reach includes specific
contributions out of the Canadian context is simply that much
bonus."
--Greer Anne Wenh-In Ng, Professor Emerita, Emmanuel College,
Victoria University in the University of Toronto
"I recommend What Does the Bible Say? to pastors and church
teachers as a fine resource to assist in focusing Bible study for
the people of God. HyeRan Kim-Cragg and Mary Ann Beavis have
courageously addressed some crucial theological and biblical issues
facing the church. Through careful and engaging scholarship, they
demonstrate to teachers how the richness of the biblical witness
can be clarified and communicated. Indeed, they clarify 'what the
Bible says' and help the people of God freshly and faithfully read
the Bible."
--Jack L. Seymour, Professor of Religious Education,
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
"Are you looking for exciting new program ideas for your
church's youth and young adult group leaders? A text to add
cultural relevance to your courses on ministry or Bible study? A
resource to recommend to graduates wishing to update their access
to the latest biblical scholarship? Or a stimulating volume for
yourself that, incidentally, requires you to watch a few movies?
Look no further. To the rescue comes this offering from a pair of
cross-disciplinary scholars who engage you in conversation,
challenge you to re-examine your assumptions, and equip you with
fresh understanding for your own teaching, ministry, and
scholarship. That the volume's global reach includes specific
contributions out of the Canadian context is simply that much
bonus."
--Greer Anne Wenh-In Ng, Professor Emerita, Emmanuel College,
Victoria University in the University of Toronto
"I recommend What Does the Bible Say? to pastors and church
teachers as a fine resource to assist in focusing Bible study for
the people of God. HyeRan Kim-Cragg and Mary Ann Beavis have
courageously addressed some crucial theological and biblical issues
facing the church. Through careful and engaging scholarship, they
demonstrate to teachers how the richness of the biblical witness
can be clarified and communicated. Indeed, they clarify 'what the
Bible says' and help the people of God freshly and faithfully read
the Bible."
--Jack L. Seymour, Professor of Religious Education,
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Mary Ann Beavis is Professor of Religion and Culture at St.
Thomas More College, Saskatoon, Canada. She is the author of many
academic articles and several books.
HyeRan Kim-Cragg is Lydia Gruchy Professor of Pastoral Studies at
St. Andrew's College, Saskatoon, Canada. She is the author of
Story and Song (2012) and the coauthor of several books,
including The Encounters (2013), Hebrews (2015), and
The Authority and Interpretation of Scripture in the United
Church of Canada (2016).