Last year I read the book ‘The Secret Book of Kings’ by Yochi Brandes, a novel based on the Books of Samuel, which gives a different perspective to the story to that found in scripture. I agreed with Brandes on some areas, disagreed with her on others, but overall found the book thought provoking, if problematic to the sensibilities of some.
I was wondering if there is any good biblical fiction (or fiction with biblical themes) out there from a more orthodox point of view. Not just books, but also Movies, TV shows etc. And why is so much popular culture based on the Bible of such poor quality? I would like to see creators try something different, rather than writing generic biblical epics. The Book of Judges could work well as a dark comedy, which is both serious and funny at the same time.
If anyone was interested, I am currently writing my own biblical fiction, a prelude to the story of the flood in the form of a Sumerian style literary debate between drought and flood.
For some reason “Many Waters” by Madaleine L’Engle comes to mind, though I’m not sure time travel is all that orthodox.
I’d agree that a lot is poor quality – “Christian fiction” has the unfortunate reputation of focusing so much on the intended (and sometimes blunt) “message” that artistic value falls way down on the priorities list. I still enjoy the “Prince of Egypt” movie about Moses that’s probably 20 years old by now, especially for the music.
I think that phrase I put in italics is the whole problem right there. I don’t think this is well defined and thus comparing the many films to this imaginary standard spoils the whole thing for everyone. Frankly I think the number of films inspired by Biblical themes is enormous. Some types more than others to be sure. But what can you do? If you put in any of the elements of good film like humor, imagination, horror, and song then it’s not “orthodox” enough – good grief!
Some of the popular themes are like a genre of film all their own…
Top of the list as far as numbers go are the apocalyptic horror films like Omen and many more.
Jesus movies. These have been tried with both humor and song and even with utmost seriousness – all with great success. One of my favorites as a youth was Godspell.
Possession and demon horror films like The Exorcist.
Biblical History including ones about Adam&Eve, Noah, and Moses.
Angel movies and tv shows. Of course they are all shown as way too human-like by my theological judgement but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of them in the slightest.
Films and shows where the focus is on priests, nuns and churches… or the ones where they come into the story in an important way.
And then there are the films where God comes into the story directly. These are some of my favorites, like the Oh God moves or the tv show Joan of Arcadia.
Rarest I think are those which attempt to show the afterlife like “What Dreams may come” with Robin Williams.
After seeing the movie, not sure I could take the book. A powerful and thought provoking story. Our pastor said he read Silence in seminary and many of his class found it a struggle.
Klax
(The only thing that matters is faith expressed in love.)
14
How about the Bible itself?
Read The Shack 12 years ago. Loved it. Saw the film a couple of weeks ago. Loved Worthington. And Jesus. But hated the pathetic apologetics of Father!
That was on someone’s short list of most recommended books and I read quite a ways in but finally just couldn’t finish it. It seemed depressingly bleak.
Another one on the same list, A Lesson Before Dying, also involved circumstances which were far from uplifting. But the story grabbed me and made an impression.
Are we talking about Gilead? Yes, it was slow developing and took a while before it felt like a novel, but when you get to the part about his best friend and fellow pastor’s son who got the girl pregnant, there is more of a ‘plot.’ I would not categorize it at all in the end as a depressing, bleak book. It’s kind of a testament to what happens when people see the humanity in others and extend grace. You aren’t my first friend who has put it down and looked at me sideways for my recommendation.
Yep, Gilead. Wow, now I am all the more curious about what I missed out on. All I remember now was a long journey with the father to … I’m not sure what. I’ve read other books where I got over a hump whose existence I’d begun to doubt and felt well rewarded.
Maybe I’ll check it out again for while I’m recovering from my knee replacement in April. But I’m not sure I have enough faith to pick that one up again. If I do it will be your fault.
Not exactly what your title specifies but ‘My Name Is Asher Lev’ by Chaim Potok is one of my favourite novels and has a religious theme. It takes place in a Hasidic Jewish context and is about a young Jewish boy’s artistic pursuits and how that affects his family, and his own relationship to the religion he was brought up in.
Have a read of the wiki and see if it’s something that interests you. Highly recommended!
