Reading Is Believing: The Christian Faith through Literature and Film

by David Cunningham

Publisher:

Brazos Press

, 2002

Overview

In this fascinating and fresh look at the Apostles’ Creed, David Cunningham argues that reading fiction and film can lead Christians to a deeper, more precise, and more experiential knowledge of their faith. Drawing on novels, plays, and films by the likes of Dickens, Shakespeare, P. D. James, and Graham Greene, Cunningham discusses the Apostles’ Creed in detail, using one primary text to illuminate each article.

Cunningham begins with a brief history of the Christian creeds and their significance. In addition to plot summaries, each chapter includes discussion questions addressing the relationship between literature and faith and concludes with a works cited list and a list for further reading.

This book will delight Christians who want to better understand the creeds and basic doctrinal confessions of the Christian faith. While academics, theologians, and literature and film aficionados will celebrate
Cunningham’s keen literary and theological insights, the book is equally readable for those with little background in these fields of study.

Reading Is Believing is an ideal text for Christian education classes, adult Sunday school, and church-based book clubs. It will serve well as a text in theology courses, as well as various courses in the humanities, ethics, and cultural and religious studies.

Contents

Introduction: "I Believe . . ."

1. "God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth"
Iris Murdoch, The Time of the Angels

2. "Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son, Our Lord"
Nikos Kazantzakis, The Last Temptation of Christ

3. "Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary"
P. D. James, The Children of Men

4. "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Died, and Was Buried"
Charles Dickens, Hard Times

5. "Descended into Hell; on the Third Day, Rose Again from the Dead"
David James Duncan, The Brothers K

6. "Ascended into Heaven, Sits at the Right Hand of God"
William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale

7. "Will Come Again to Judge the Living and the Dead"
Toni Morrison, Beloved

8. "I Believe in the Holy Spirit"
Flannery O’Connor, "The Enduring Chill"

9. "The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints"
Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

10. "The Forgiveness of Sins"
Helen Prejean, Dead Man WalkingI

11. "The Resurrection of the Flesh"
Graham Greene, The End of the Affair

12. "And Life Everlasting"
Guidseppe Tornatore, A Pure Formality

Conclusion: "Amen"

Product Details

• Title : Reading Is Believing: The Christian Faith through Literature and Film
• Author: Cunningham, David S.
• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Publication Date: 2002
• ISBN: 9781441239099

About David Cunningham