In today's culture
The majority of movie makers make movies with theological themes that are good for both Christians and people of other faiths. The concepts found in the majority of biblical tales or historical incidents promote positive moral values in society. The theological themes that are portrayed in the films' plots help Christians in their beliefs. Most people are drawn to Christian novels, films, and plays because of the religious elements that are prevalent in them. It could be argued that purchasing books and films with different theological topics aids in the spread of the gospel and influences the lives of many who use these resources. One of the primary objectives of producing films and novels with different stories is to help many people to know and appreciate the word of God. However, some producers release into the market films or novels that do not conform to biblical teachings, as they do not present any theological themes. Such films or plays contain various obscene scenes that negatively influence the lives of those who watch or read them. Notably, it is imperative for Christians to watch films that can strengthen their faith in God. Essentially, it requires appropriate preparation to ensure that films or novels produced contain theological themes. Besides, constructing the movies based on biblical stories need commitment to make sure that the intended message reaches the targeted population. This paper, therefore, presents a critical analysis of how to efficiently construct a film or novel based on a biblical story, piece of world literature or historical events with theological themes.
Actors and actresses
Actors and actresses are the fundamental pillars in any film or novel. Therefore, it is important to choose them based on merits to ensure that the theme of the play is passed to the target population accordingly. Arguably, the efforts employed by actors and actresses in a film are likely to either attract or scare away majority of the targeted group. To construct an effective film, filmmakers are charged with a responsibility of ensuring that they recruit and train the actors and actresses on how to successfully focus and deliver the themes of the play or movie. Novel writers are equally tasked with a responsibility to ensure that different characters can effectively communicate the intended issues to the readers with ease. The actors and actresses should be able to use simple words during the play so that they can be understood by the audience. Films and novels with theological themes should be constructed in such a way that the message can easily be passed to the target population. Use of real life examples should be employed by the characters to enable people to understand the themes in the play. Actors and actresses should engage the audience so that they may remain attentive throughout.
Complexity of theological themes
Some of the biblical stories, pieces of world literature, or historical events are complex that require proper interpretations. Likewise, the themes should also be brought out in ways understandable to the audience. Arguably, theology advocates for good morals in the society and respect for everyone. In constructing plays with theological themes, it is imperative for the characters in the novel to portray high moral standards throughout the play. Notably, one of the primary aims for playing biblical stories is to encourage high levels of moral standards in a community. To make the audience quickly figure out the theological themes in a film or a novel, the characters must be morally upright. Therefore, to successfully construct a film with theological themes, the filmmakers should look for participants who can show good morals throughout the play.
Appropriate dressing and language
For instance, the filmmakers should ensure that the dressing codes for the participants are appropriate. Biblically, women's preferred dressing code is that which cannot create lust among men. Looking at a woman lustfully is considered a sin by Christians. Therefore, participants in a play with an intention to pass theological themes to audience should ensure that their dressing code conforms to the biblical teachings on dressing. Further, appropriate dressing codes should not only be employed while presenting a play on biblical stories but also while presenting plays on world literature or historical events provided the novels contain theological themes. Therefore, filmmakers should establish the theological issues they intend to pass to the target audience and then look for appropriate garments required for the film. In case of a novel, the language used should portray a religious actor. It is logical for the characters to pass theological messages while they also show a proof of being religious. That way, most of the audiences are likely to understand the theological themes contained in the novel. Therefore, it is imperative for novel writers and filmmakers to ensure that the characters lead a religious kind of life.
Use of appropriate language
To construct a film or a play based on biblical story which contains theological themes, I can be selective in the kind of language used throughout the novel. Use of obscene language should be discouraged at all cost. Arguably, theology is associated with the use of appropriate language that is not likely to offend anybody. Therefore, it is essential to use appropriate language to attract many people to get the information contained in the film. The motive behind presenting plays and novels with biblical stories, world literature or historical events with theological themes is to equip people with theological knowledge. Actors/actresses and characters in different plays should, therefore, be encouraged to conduct their responsibilities ethically and avoid using obscene languages in the play. Before the beginning of the novels, they should be trained in the languages appropriate for the play to ensure easier understanding of the themes. Novel writers equally should make sure that the language used by the characters is appropriate and should not offend the readers.
Early preparations and revisions
Writing a novel with theological contents require early preparations to allow for revision of the texts in the novel. Various theological information should be correct and be in line with the biblical teachings. To ensure that the information contained in the plays is correct, proofreading the novel before being released to the market is appropriate as doing so gets rid of errors that might have been in the novel. Proofreading allows for corrections and elaboration of certain points. Arguably, novel writers are prone to making various typing errors that might result in alteration of the intended information. To avoid such errors for instance spelling mistakes, the writers need to revise their novel to ensure that all the theological themes can easily be identified by the readers. In so doing, the theological themes in the novel shall be appropriately understood.
Regular rehearsals
Likewise, to prepare for a successful presentation of play with various theological information, regular rehearsal is encouraged. Rehearsals in plays are highly encouraged so that all the actors and actresses can easily remember all their parts in the play. Failure to conduct rehearsals, confusion may arise and themes of the play failing to come out apparently from the play. It is, therefore, imperative for filmmakers to ensure that actors and actresses have adequate time to prepare for the successful presentation of their respective parts in the play. Theological themes in a play should be easily identified by the target audience without straining. Therefore, as a theological story writer, one should ensure that there is sufficient time required for effective presentation of the play so as to present the intended theological themes accordingly.
Depicting truth and love
Most of the film producers and novel writers on Biblical stories ensure that the actors and characters portray truthfulness throughout the course of the play or novel. Theological themes should positively change the behavior of the people in society. To ensure that the target population positively utilizes the information obtained from the biblical stories, there is need to make sure that they show openness in whatever they say. Most of the theological themes revolve around being truthful; therefore, the actors should be honest in their actions so as to influence the target audience to be truthful in whatever they undertake. It is the obligation of the script writers to depict scenes that are practical that the audience can easily relate to. Also, various scenes should show that theology promotes openness. It is imperative for the actors and actresses to portray courage and defend the truth in all the circumstances without fearing persecution. The scenes should depict that one should be courageous while defending the truth regardless of the consequences. Also, actors/actresses and characters should not give in when they are attacked, criticized or faced with different challenges.
Showing love and humility
Biblically, love is the greatest commandment, and every believer is expected to love their respective neighbors unconditionally. In the world today, people are encouraged to show love to other individuals as per the teaching in the Bible. Therefore, to construct a film or a novel that talks about a biblical story, world literature or historical event with theological themes, the actors/actresses and characters should be able to show love for their neighbors in all the scenes. Therefore, as a script writer, one should include scenes in the play or novel that depicts existence of love between different people. For instance, the scenes should show various people sharing the little they have with those who lacks most of the things. In so doing, the audience would be likely to understand most of the theological themes in the play as most of the biblical stories portray existence of love among people.
Showcasing humility
To adequately construct a film or novel that presents theological issues to the audience, film producers, and novel writers should ensure that the actors/actresses show humility in all the scenes. Arguably, theology advocates for humility among people. It also encourages respect for individuals and peaceful existence. Therefore, to quickly pass the theological themes to the audience, various scenes should portray humility among people. Evidently, most people tend to emulate whatever they watch or read. It is imperative for the play writers and novel writers to incorporate scenes that present humility among various characters. In so doing, audience will quickly understand the theological themes of the biblical stories, world literature, and historical events.
Constructing substantive plays or novels
Arguably, it is imperative for target audience to understand various issues presented in any form of play. Likewise, novels should be constructed in ways that could easily make the readers to establish the themes contained in the novel. It is every writer's objective to pass various ideas to the target population by any means possible. Most writers and film producers employ many strategies to ensure that they effectively pass the themes contained in their films to the people quickly. Notably, most biblical stories, world literature, and historical events carry a broad range of theological themes that should reach the audience in the best ways possible so as to shape people's lives. Most writers strive to pass theological themes to the audience in simple ways to achieve the target of ensuring that people understand various biblical and historical contexts. To construct a substantive play or novel based on historical events, world literature or biblical stories with theological themes, contents, actors/actress, and characters must be critically examined. These are the factors that bring out various themes in any play. Therefore, contents of the play should dwell more on theological themes. Actors and actresses also should play their roles in line with biblical teachings so as to firmly present the theological themes. Arguably, it is imperative not only for Christians to know theological teachings on various aspects but also people from other religions.
