Issue 11 Preaching and PrayerBlog | God in the movies – divine portrayals
God in the movies – divine portrayals
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 19.06.17
What might it be like to come face-to-face with God? The whole idea of prayer is that we’re in conversation – but with whom?
Christianity is, ultimately, the story of a God who speaks and shows himself in order to have a relationship with us. Though God is in some respects beyond human understanding, there are certain things that Christians can agree God has revealed about himself. As we see Jesus displaying God’s love, compassion, goodness, justice and grace, we learn that this is the Father to whom we come when we pray.
Portraying God onscreen raises some unique challenges, both for storytellers who are believers and for those who aren’t. What does God look like? What does God sound like? Most filmmakers won’t be looking to offer a literal picture, but instead to have a certain effect on the audience. Will this portrayal of God induce laughter or awe? Whose conceptions will it flatter and whose will it challenge? Will it be a comfort to those who are watching, or cause for controversy?
