Should films with a distinctively religious theme and
narrative water down the theological dimension so to be more acceptable in
modern, secular society (i.e., a broader range of movie-goers), and thus profitable? The success of
films like The Last Temptation of Christ,
The Nativity Story, The Passion of the Christ, and Son of God suggest that theology should be embraced rather than
tempered if box-office numbers are at all important. The genre should thus be
distinguished from historical drama.
Screenwriters and directors engaging in the religious
genre would be wise, therefore, to distinguish the theological from the
historical even in handling religions in which the historical is salient in the
theological.
The full essay is at "Christian Films as Theological."
