Princeton Theological Seminary is hosting a film series this fall focused on movies that explore faith. The movie screenings are a part of a class, Faith and Film: Ministry in the Movies, which examines theological themes and pastoral issues portrayed in cinema that Christian leaders may face.

“By viewing these films, I want participants in the course to encounter a broad range of commonplace occurrences in modern ministry and to reflect, scripturally and theologically, on their responses to experiences they themselves are someday likely to encounter,” said Clifton Black, Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology at the Seminary.

Films scheduled are Babette’s Feast on October 5, Dead Man Walking on October 12, The Apostle on October 19, Doubt on November 2, Of Gods and Men on November 9, Calvary on November 16, and First Reformed on November 30.

Screenings are on Fridays on the campus in Stuart Hall, Room 6, at 2 p.m. The viewings are free and limited street parking is available.

The films screened in this course have been carefully selected for their capacity to raise fundamental questions about challenges, often crises, experienced by clergy in different Christian denominations. Some of the topics that will be addressed include ministry in settings of urban corruption, ministers dealing with their own doubts about faith, ministry to prisoners on death row, clergy burn-out, ministry corrupted by pastoral abuse, and how ministers cope in circumstances that exact great cost and may even endanger their own lives.

“Critical study of film is an educational model that is widely accepted and has proven effective,” said Black. “Yet the study of film for the consideration of biblical and theological issues is still in its infancy. It is exciting to offer this innovative approach to theological formation.”