SFRM 615 - Faith and Fiction

Institution:

Eastern University

Subject:

Spiritual Formation

Description:

For centuries, writers have used (and misused) themes from Christian theology and history in service of the plot lines of popular fiction. These works can be inspiring and engage us in ways that deepen our faith, or they can be controversial and foster misunderstanding and error (sometimes a little of both!). Also, 57 when an author touches on a sensitive or controversial topic, the reaction of many Christians has been to condemn the work-often without careful reading or meaningful critique-or to dismiss the book as "just fiction." Yet these books (especially when they become bestsellers) can heavily influence the thinking of both believers and non-believers alike. Focusing on selected examples of modern popular fiction, students in this course will explore and think critically about the use of theology and church history/tradition in fiction (mostly secular), and how the material may influence popular culture. Students will be evaluated, in part, on their ability to formulate thoughtful, effective ways to either make use the material in preaching/teaching/engaging believers and unbelievers in the faith journey, or to effectively articulate appropriate responses to material that provides inadequate/inaccurate views of Christian life and faith.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.eastern.edu

Phone Number:

(610) 341-5800

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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