In this episode, I combine my exploration of religion and entertainment as I discuss recurring religious themes in literature, movies, and television. I also explore ways in which authors can portray people of faith in a positive light. This material is based on a lecture I gave in my writing seminar under our mentor, award-winning science fiction author David Gerrold.

Links of Interest for this episode

“The Red Badge of Courage” (1894 novel) by Stephen Crane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Badge_of_Courage

“The Citadel” (1937 novel) by A.J. Cronin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Citadel_(novel)

“South Pacific” (1949 Broadway musical) by Rodgers and Hammerstein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_(musical)

“Tales of the South Pacific” (1947 book) by James A. Michener: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_South_Pacific

“Cyrano de Bergerac” (1897 play) by Edmond Rostand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(play)

“The Phantom of the Opera” (1910 novel) by Gaston Leroux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(novel)

“Love Never Dies” (2010 musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Never_Dies_(musical)

“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (1950 children’s novel) by C.S. Lewis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965 film) by George Stevens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Story_Ever_Told

“The Outsiders” (1967 young adult novel) by S.E. Hinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(novel)

“The Outsiders” (1983 film) directed by Francis Ford Coppola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(film)

“Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999 film) by George Lucas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Episode_I_%E2%80%93_The_Phantom_Menace

“Blade Runner” (1982 film) by Ridley Scott: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner

“Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” (1992 film) by Nicholas Myers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_II:_The_Wrath_of_Khan

“Star Trek: The Search for Spock” (1984 film) by Leonard Nimoy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_III:_The_Search_for_Spock

“Short Circuit” (1986) by John Badham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Circuit_(1986_film)

The New Testament: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament

“Stranger Things” (2016-2025 TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Things

The Apostles’ Creed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles%27_Creed#:~:text=descended%20into%20hell%2C%20rose%20again%20from%20the%20dead%20on%20the%20third%20day%2C

Johnnycake death scene from “The Outsiders” (1986):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZmMklpMKlw

Enneagram Personality Typology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality

Resurrection scene from “Short Circuit” (1986 film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xPu59_MHQ0

Disciples on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?13

“Greater love…” John 15:13 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?13

Mr. Spock’s death scene from “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHAOWLhrxhQAdditional links available on our website at https://contemplating-life.com/?p=596

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