Caleb Vigilant (Chronicles of the Nephilim) (29 page)

Myth Became Fact: Storytelling, Imagination & Apologetics in the Bible

By Brian Godawa

A collection of essays by Brian Godawa about storytelling, imagination, apologetics and the Bible. Some of them have appeared in the novel series,
Chronicles of the Nephilim
and some have been published in various magazines or journals.

 

The Christian reader will gain inspiration from these insights to use more imagination in their own approach to defending the faith and glorifying God.

 

Old Testament Storytelling Apologetics

Israel shared mythopoeic images with their pagan neighbors: The sea dragon of chaos, and the Storm god. These are polemical concepts used by Biblical writers to show the incomparability of Yahweh.

 

Biblical Creation and Storytelling: Cosmos, Combat and Covenant

Creation stories in the ancient Near East and the Bible both express a primeval battle called
Chaoskampf
, the fight of deity to create order out of chaos. But how do they differ?

 

The Universe in Ancient Imagination

A detailed comparison and contrast of the Biblical picture of the universe with the ancient Mesopotamian one. Does God communicate material structure or theological meaning?

New Testament Storytelling Apologetics

Paul’s sermon to the pagans on Mars Hill is an example of subversion: Communicating the Gospel in terms of a pagan narrative with a view toward replacing their worldview.

 

Mythopoeia in Prophecy and Apocalyptic Genre

God uses mythical descriptions of future events to deliberately obscure his message while simultaneously proving his claim about the true meaning and purpose behind history.

 

An Apologetic of Biblical Horror

An exploration of the genre of horror to show how God uses it as a powerful moral tool to communicate serious spiritual, moral, and social defilement in the context of repentance from sin and redemptive victory over evil.

 

 

To order books and products by Brian Godawa,

as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:

www.godawa.com

Movies by Brian Godawa

 

To End All Wars

Written by Brian Godawa

A true story about Allied P.O.W.s who endure harsh treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors during World War II while they are forced to build a railroad through the Burmese jungle.

 

 

Alleged

Written by Fred Foote and Brian Godawa

Alleged is a romantic drama based on events using both histori
cal and fictional elements occurring behind the scenes and outside the courtroom of the famous Scopes “Monkey Trial” of 1925.

 

 

The Visitation

Written by Brian Godawa

Based on the bestseller by Frank Peretti

Peretti’s supernatural thriller tells the story of a mysterious stranger (Edward Furlong) and his three associates, who arrive in a small town and perform miracles on those who would follow. Who is this charismatic drifter the townspeople have chosen to follow?
Is he the true messiah, a false prophet or something far more sinister?

 

Documentaries by Brian Godawa

 

Lines That Divide

Written and Directed by Brian Godawa 


Stem cell research: A potential miracle cure for diseases or a form of biological colonialism? The debate still rages over this controversial science. Supporters argue that it is our moral duty to pursue scientific progress that provides healing hope for humanity. Detractors argue that the ends don't justify the means in harvesting some human life to save others. This documentary seeks to educate the public on the scientific basics of stem cell research and the moral issues surrounding it as we enter the 21st century.

 

Wall of Separation

Written
and Directed by Brian Godawa 


The “wall of separation” is a metaphor deeply embedded in the American consciousness, and an idea that continues to cause deep controversy within the country. In this historical documentary, Godawa takes a look at what the Founding Fathers intended when they framed the Constitution and wrote the First Amendment religion clauses. Were they trying to create a Christian nation, a secular paradise, or something in between?

 

To order
these movies and other books and products by Brian Godawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:
www.godawa.com

 

Audio Lectures by Brian Godawa

 

Brian has spoken around the world on the topic of movies, worldviews, and faith. Now you can purchase some of his presentations on downloadable MP3 directly from his website,
www.godawa.com
! Here are a sample of presentations:

Art, Movies & Worldviews
6-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

1. The Church and the Arts: Friends or Foes?

2. From Bezalel to Jesus: Art in the Bible

3. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: Sex & Violence in the Movies

4. That’s More Than Entertainment!: Redemption in the Movies

5. Following Your Heart: Existentialism in the Movies

6. Losing Our Grip on Reality: Postmodernism in the Movies

 

Screenwriting for Christians
A 9-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

Brian teaches the basic elements of storytelling used in writing screenplays from a Christian worldview, complete with examples and analysis of movies that illustrate the lessons. Comes with 30 pages of Student Handouts so you can follow along and take the class on tape! This was taught at YWAM's University of the Nations.

1. Introduction/ Sex & Violence & the Bible

2. Christian writer

3. Basic Structure/ Premise/Theme

4. Premise/Theme Part 2

5. Character

6. Plot

7. Scene

8. The Business and the Life of the Writer

9. Analysis of first 10 pages of “The Sixth Sense”

 

Storytelling, Worldviews & Persuasion
2 Lectures by Brian Godawa

Part 1: Incarnation

The modern Christian exclusive concentration on logic, precision and rationality has missed a fuller Biblical approach. In the Scriptures, truth and persuasion are mediated through imagination and storytelling as well. Brian addresses the power of incarnation used in Biblical storytelling and imagery. Examples from film clips are used to illustrate.

Part 2: Subversion

Brian examines the Biblical usage of subversion through storytelling as a means of engaging culture and capturing it for Christ. He shows how the Apostle Paul used subversion to retell the Stoic story in Christian terms.

 

Defense of the Faith
12-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

This is a different approach to apologetics than the typical way that “proves” a generic theism, then “proves” the Bible, then “proves” the resurrection. This series addresses the weaknesses of typical apologetics and explores how to defend the faith on a deeper level, the level of the worldview of the unbeliever.

1. Introduction to Apologetics

2. Logic Part 1: Intro

3. Logic Part 2: fallacies

4. Logic Part 3: fallacies

5. Faith and Reason

6. Antithesis: Acts 17

7. Worldviews Part 1

8. Worldviews Part 2

9. Authority and Truth

10. Authority: Part 2

11. Ethics

12. Technique

Bible Prophecy & the End Times: It’s Not When They Told You It Is
10-Lecture Series by Brian Godawa

The Book of Revelation is more like an Epic Horror Fantasy than a sermon. Brian explores the creative literary imagery of the First Century writings used in Revelation. The Left Behind novel series has made a gazillion dollars based on a popular view of the End Times. What would shock some Christians is to discover that this view is not Biblical. Brian examines the common beliefs of the Left Behind dogma and compares them to the Bible. He shows how the Bible itself explains how most of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. A partial preterist approach to Bible prophecy.

Two options are available for purchase. You can either buy just the MP3 audio, or buy the DVD video versions that have the same audio, BUT ALSO lots of colorful and helpful
PowerPoint visuals and film clips for a much richer presentation of the material.

1. Interpreting Bible Prophecy

2. Israel in Prophecy

3. The Last Days

4. The Rapture

5. The Great Tribulation

6. The Anti-Christ

7. The Beast

8. The Coming of Christ

9. The Millennium Part 1

10. The Millennium Part 2

 

To order these audio lectures and other books and products by Brian Godawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:
www.godawa.com

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