Lights in the Darkness: Exploring Catholic Themes in Twelve Extraordinary Films

Americans currently spend on average more than ten hours a day in front of a screen. Some of that time can now be a source of profound ethical reflections and spiritual insights thanks to this refreshing book. The primary goal of Lights in the Darkness is to explore the themes of grace redemption pilgrimage conscience justice faith and reason the common good sacramentality and wisdom in twelve award-winning films. In addition to unpacking these themes each chapter provides background information on the relevant historical moment and explores the development of the film. Questions at the end of each chapter helps to connect the themes in each film to the lives of the reader. Film is a powerful and unique artistic medium and now you have a resource to connect its wonders to your faith by reading this book and watching these films. Thompsons wide philosophical theological and cultural background are an invaluable hermeneutical instrument for his work giving it context and clarity depth and relevance. His structure and eminently readable writing style make his book available appealing and useful not only to film scholars but to people of faith intelligence and good will. Bravo! --Lloyd Baugh SJ author of Imaging the Divine: Jesus and Christ-Figures in Film Dr. Phillip M. Thompson is the Executive Director of the Aquinas Center of Theology at Emory University. He has published two books Between Science and Religion the Engagement of Catholic Intellectuals with Science and Technology and Returning to Reality Thomas Mertons Wisdom for a Technological World. He has written in or been interviewed by the New York Times Wall Street Journal Washington Post Associated Press and Headline News.