The book Hollywood Worldviews
The book Hollywood Worldviews explores at the meaning of redemption in movies as well as the techniques used by writers to convey messages to the audience. Brian Godawa, the author, emphasizes specifically the mental and spiritual discipline required for watching various movie genres. Godawa provides information in this book on how devout Christians can watch films and discern them, obtaining the ability to absorb the intended messages rather than simply enjoying it as a form of entertainment. According to the author, in today's environment, Christians should engage in cinema watching in order to bring about reforms (Jorgensen). As such, this book brings out the aspects of spirituality, content and context, morality, spirituality and most of all, the value of film in answering big questions that people tend to ask. Simply put, the book performs the function of enabling viewers to discern the basis of stories in the films as well as the need to understand the background beneath the narrative.
Author Background
As an Award-winning screenwriter, Brian Godawa is the author of the book Hollywood Worldviews. He was born in 1961, and his name is famous due to his engagement in teaching, writing film and philosophy as well as the art of film watching. A significant proportion of his works have received commendable awards including the Nicholl fellowship, Columbus Discovery Award, and Reader's Digest Screenplay Competition among many others. Godawa’s context is embedded in his quest to address the power and influence of image and story and the relationship with the Bible’s ability to transform Christian lives (Putnam). Hollywood Worldviews is, therefore, a book that illustrates Godawa’s intention to examine film and the Christian’s approach to the comprehension of the context.
Comprehension/Understanding
One of the main points that Godawa tries to explain is the fact that the context of the material in a film is what defines its status. According to Putnam, Godawa seems to illustrate the point that gratuitous violence following a radical and destructive viewpoint has a higher offensive impact that similar violence that arises in a typical war. Using the example of the Bible in the Book of Judges chapter 19, the author explains that although motion pictures may possess an R rating where violence, sex, profanity and other mature content are displayed, such a film can still be considered relevant to Christian viewers provided that the context is right. Godawa mentions that “If we ignore truth's darker side, we are focusing on half-truths, and there are no fuller, more complete lies than half-truths” (Godawa 403). This statement implies that the opinion developed when watching movies should be based on the context and the intention of the displayed material. As such, the intent, depiction, consequences and biblical context are the standards that state whether the film is worthy of Christian viewership or not. In another statement, Godawa writes that “God loves movies” (Godawa 102). Apparently, artistic genres have been successfully implemented in disseminating biblical truths, and for this reason, while the secular world may use film to promote other agendas, the Christian bears the burden of developing a sophisticated understanding of the context hence learning from the events that take place.
Another crucial point in the book is that movies go a long way in answering the major questions that people ask, for instance, the origin of life, the existence of God among other pertinent queries. Films that focus on mythology almost always make allusions to the bible where there is a supreme being striving to maintain goodness while punishing evil. In fact, Godawa mentions that movies are “one of the most effective means of communicating mythology because they are a story-centered medium that captures and reflects our deeply held beliefs” (Godawa 57). A good example is the depiction of gods like Odysseus where films attempt to explain biblical stories using a single myth. A Christian viewer would, therefore, be able to relate the monomyth to the fact that they are derived from the Bible. This illustration is essential to the viewers who must understand that despite the failure of a movie to vividly present a clear Christian message, the perceptions that arise from the depictions can help the viewers to understand themselves and also engage with the world. For example, an R-rated movie such as the film Dirty Pretty Things not only highlights the plight of immigrants but also seeks to help the viewer keep in touch with God’s creation and hence strive towards morality. Additionally, the book also explains the fact that movies also answer questions such as the meaning and purpose of life. Godawa explains that the redemptive theme associated with the Christian testimony is almost always present in films. Many at times, the hero is opposed by an adversary, and in the end, the hero gains redemption by holding on to his or her goals. Understanding such craft reflects the real-life challenges, and the reader is therefore encouraged that the answer to the question regarding the meaning and purpose of life is holding on to the morals, virtues, and principles of doing good.
The aspect of spirituality
The aspect of spirituality comes in through the book’s illustration of Jesus’ portrayal. The contemporary film has deconstructed Jesus into a fallible human with miracles explained as mere superstition. Nevertheless, Godawa explains the portrayal of Christianity is present even in movies like the Matrix where there is an apparent savior of humankind. Similarly, movies like The Da Vinci Code downplay the aspect of spirituality and God’s presence and power. Films that disregard God’s existence promote the concept of fate as the most suitable substitute. Nevertheless, the critical viewer will not fail to obtain valuable information amid the subversive and criticism movies. As such, movies also display positive redemptive Christian themes and even though some attempt to ignore God’s presence, seem in the least to acknowledge His relevance. This explanation is crucial for the reader to make wise decisions when selecting a movie to watch particularly when considering its value and recognition of God as the Supreme Being.
Analytical/Syntopical
The book Hollywood Worldviews connects Christianity, culture, and media in a unique manner. The deep founded culture is what forms the basis of a film’s storyline hence the reason why some movies are based on myths and beliefs of particular regions. Likewise, religion plays a significant role in the content and context of motion pictures with numerous instances of the war between good and evil, God’s power and even morals (Jorgensen). Simply put, very few movies depict the accurate presentation of heaven and hell due to the combination of diverse religious worldviews as well as cultural norms, traditions, beliefs, and practices. However, the book doesn’t deviate from its central point which encourages thoughtful film consumption
Conclusion
Hollywood worldviews uniquely illustrates the themes and concepts surrounding film watching and how these aspects are utilized for various reasons. The book provides insight on crucial points including the importance of understanding the context of the film despite the content, discerning the big questions that the film's answer and most of all, realizing the spirituality conveyed through movies. The author explicitly mentions that both mental and spiritual discipline are crucial elements for the Christina viewer who must maintain cultural and religious awareness. Indiscriminate consumption of film or its irrelevant avoidance thereof is dangerous. The author implores the readers to balance between these two extremes and thus select, watch and gain the intended message in the various films present today.
Works Cited
Godawa, Brian. Hollywood worldviews : watching films with wisdom & discernment. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press Books, 2009.
Jorgensen, Tyler. "Reel Spirituality: Film and Faith." 12 February 2015. Kimberly Foursquare. https://www.writershub.org/writer/orders/200257#instructions. 10 December 217.
Putnam, Cris. "Book Review Hollywood Worldviews by Brian Godawa." 1 September 2012. Logos Apologia. http://www.logosapologia.org/book-review-hollywood-worldviews-by-brian-godawa-2/#_ftnref5. 10 December 2017.
