Films to watch alongside scripture

I’m re-upping this list. Thought I’d dust it off and add to it over time.  In the early 2000s I studied and worked in the University of the Nation’s School of Biblical Studies. Often as I studied scripture, I thought of then used film quotes and clips as illustrations to flesh out truths I found in the Bible, or, to give a ‘sense of feeling’ of the times in which the events of respective scripture took place.

What follows is semi-annotated list of films that work as illustrations or reference points to different books of the Bible. I hope the list can be a reference for others, and an ongoing conversation about new ways to understand the Bible and film.

Let me know if you have flicks to add to the ever-growing list.

The Old Testament

Genesis:

The Contender (highlights worldview issues, especially as they relate to competing ideas about gender and view of authority)

Deep Blue (a must see. showcases the beautiful, overwhelming, violent nature of the creation in the sea).

Exodus:

Prince of Egypt

Leviticus:

One Hour Photo (the call to holiness is so strong in Leviticus; this poignantly reveals how disgusting sin, especially sexual sin, is).

Numbers:
Deuteronomy:

Changing Lanes (an examination of humanity’s propensity to pass blame and its relationship to rules: flippant transgression or legalism. Highlights the heart and spirit behind the law)

Joshua:

Braveheart(a film with a clear enemy who must be defeated; victory comes in tandom with courage and faith)

Judges:

Memento (could be used effectively to underline Israel’s perpetual short term memory, and the shock of their sin; the Kirsten Dunst, Morgan Freeman, Billy-Bob Thorton vehicle “Levity” and “Outbreak” starring Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo would also work)

Ruth:

Steel Magnolis (though I have yet to see the film (sorry Emily), I know it is more than a chick flick: a look at friendship, loyalty, and overcoming hardship; perhaps “Fried Green Tomatos” with Jessica Tandy and Kathy Bates might also work: ‘Tawanda!’)

Samuel:
I and II Kings:

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Return of the King (these films give a sense of the scope of a kingdom, Aragorn’s kingdom at the end of ROTK beautifully gives a sense of Solomon’s)

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (gives a sense of what was lost when the United Kingdom fell into darkness and squandered its potential)

Chronicles:

The Village (creating a new society – the difference is that in the Village they base it on a lie, albeit good intentions. What must Israel build their village on?)

Nehemiah:

Reign of Fire

Esther:

Miss Congeniality

Job:

Bruce Almighty

Psalms:

Dead Poets Society (even if to only shamelessly plug one of my favorites)
Proverbs:

Ecclesiastes:
Hamlet (Kenneth Bragnah or Mel Gibson’s, Ethan Hawke has one as well)

Song of Songs:

Sense and Sensibility (for love that waits and is sweet)

Legends of the Fall (for love gone sour; prozac required)

March of the Penguins (a documentary on emperor penguins and their march to through the arctic with the most romantic love scene ever captured on film)

Isaiah:
The Hiding Place (stars Julie Harris: a look at God’s desire to protect a remnant, hope in the despair)

Jeremiah:

Kingdom of Heaven (because it shows what happens when a city becomes the focal point of a religion, and God and his ways are long forgotten)

The Patriot (for that one terrible scene when Gibson’s character enacts vengence on his enemy: imagine Gibson as God – perhaps a more sobering and accurate view than we’d like)
Lamentations: (see above, and read the book while playing the soundtrack of Braveheart)

Ezekiel – Malachi:
no big ideas yet… here is where the work is in progress

The New Testament

Matthew:
The Gospel According to Matthew
Mark:

The Passion of the Christ

Luke:

Finding Nemo

Saving Private Ryan (because both Al Brooks and Tom Hanks seek and save the lost)

John:
John on the Island of Patmos

Acts:

The Matrix Reloaded (nothing stops the gospel)

Romans:

Sleeping with the Enemy (chpt. 7 is a study on being married to a cruel husband that, like the law, gives no power to change, but only suggests punishment – thanks Melanie Hurlbut… and while you’re at it, cue “Ebony and Ivory”, right?)
Corinthians:

Galatians:
Les Miserables (Victor Hugo’s novel, adapted to the stage or screen illustrate the beauty of grace, and the foolishness of returning to or living by a legalistic system that does not bring spiritual freedom)
Ephesians:

The Matrix: Revolutions
(Neo breaks down the wall of division between two groups: man and machine; the barrier Paul announces that falls is that between Gentile and Jew)

Philippians:
Illustrations abound in any war film that requires soldiers to stand together: Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, etc.
Colossians:
Thessalonians:

I and II Timothy:

Rocky

Chariots of Fire

Titus:

Philemon:

To Kill A Mockingbird
Hebrews:

Gladiator (picture of Roman empire; the Games);

The Passion of the Christ

James:
I and II Peter:
I, II, and III John:
John on the Island of Patmos
Jude:

Revelation:

Titan AE

War of the Worlds
(any other film with an apocalyptic action sequence)

Photo credit: @ewitsoe