Whether it’s a blockbuster action film, a romantic comedy or a family movie - film speaks to us in a way that only art can…But there is a question that really gets to the heart of everything……“What’s the film about...?”.
There are just so many ways to approach that all-important question… We could simply explain the plot of the film and summarise what happened from beginning to end…
Or, we could go deeper and assess what beliefs are at the heart of the film. In other words, what we think the film-makers’ worldviews are, and identify whether they are true or false… Very few of us get to that answer, often because we don’t have the tools to test the cultural worldviews around us.
The Worldview Film Club is designed to look at what worldviews are, why they matter, and most importantly how to use biblical scripture as the ultimate test of a worldview.
It’s a sad fact that our culture no longer looks to the Bible for absolute truth, and instead relies on relative truth – “your truth” and “my truth”. Yet, we still have the God-inspired longings for redemption, salvation, purpose and meaning. This is why cultural worldviews attempt to fill the void with poor imitations of the stories our souls long for.
every film tells a story of a hero’s character transforming from darkness to light and finding redemption. The audience has a chance to escape reality and leave the movie theatre imagining things have been resolved
whether everyday folk or superhumans, they are just like us – struggling and making mistakes. There is no trace of the true perfection, found only in Jesus, the God-Man who never sinned.
most films assume that life has meaning and that people have value and purpose. A person’s purpose may be to save the day, to be successful, but where does it end?
The biblical view of the world is far removed from cultural worldviews. The bible is the absolute truth and the original source of all storytelling – a literal library of God’s account of history through factual and witness accounts, poetry, parables and similes. The bible is a book from God and about God, setting out His plan of redemption for a fallen people.
The call for Biblical literacy
As Christians lean less on the bible and more on ‘experiencing God’, biblical illiteracy has been on the rise. Instead of looking at films from a perspective of truth and falsehood, Christians have become accustomed to trying to see a ‘glimpse of God’ in the story and ignoring the bits that conflict with scripture. Unfortunately, this is entirely the wrong way round!
Despite what we may be told, the bible is the only source that truly provides: a redemption story that bring genuine peace; a true hero that never fails; and a sense of purpose that is real and everlasting.
Sharing the Gospel..through film
As long as we keep the bible in its rightful place – the absolute authority and source of truth – films can be a really useful tool for us to share the gospel. At the Film Club we learn ways to speak with friends and family about Christ.
The Word vs the World. Films are a window to see what our culture believes. We look to the truth in the Bible and identify the fact from the fiction.
- Watch
the film at our movie event or in the comfort of your home
- Make
notes in your study book
- Come
and join in the conversation
When
you join, you will get:
- A
study book and goody bag
- An
invite to our great movie events
- Tools
to help you share the gospel
November marks the long-awaited launch of the Worldview Film Club. Join us for the launch & taster session. This your chance to sign-up for the first semester looking into three important themes:
Worldviews - Free launch event
A look at what they are, why they matter and how to spot them!
Film: Road trip to truth
Joining is quick and easy. Select your preferred date for one of our two FREE launch events in November.
If you decide you want to sign-up, then for the price of renting a film (£5), you will get to watch all four club films this semester (details below), seeing each one in a way you’ve never done before. The free movie snacks aren’t bad, either!
The path to redemption
A look at why films have a redemption story, and how this aligns with, or differs, from the gospel of true redemption.
Films: The Truman Show & The Adjustment Bureau
We need a hero
Why does every film have a hero with flaws? We will look at why cultural worldviews value powerful but flawed heroes and compare this to the sinless Christ, who suffered and died to save us.
Films: The Man of Steel, The passion of the Christ