The God in Film Podcast

A bit different from our usual output today. Giles sat down with Chick Yuill, author of ‘Joy Comes in the Morning’.

‘Joy Comes in the Morning: Lizzie Lowe and the Story of the Church that Changed’ follows the ten-year journey of St James and Emmanuel Church in Didsbury from the tragic death of fourteen-year-old Lizzie Lowe, who took her own life in 2014, through the grief and shock that set the church community on a path of deep change to full inclusion for people whatever their sexuality. The book has been written with full involvement of Lizzie’s parents, Kevin and Hilary Lowe, and Bishop Nick Bundock who was rector of St James and Emmanuel through these times of tragedy and transformation.

For more information go to: https://stjamesandemmanuel.org/booklaunch/

To order the book, go to: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-living/joy-comes-in-the-morning-9781917362269/

 

For our ONE HUNDREDTH episode we’re looking at The Da Vinci Code, the 2006 mystery thriller starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou and that realest of Gs, Ian McKellen, based on the controversial novel by Dan 'Don't fact check me, just love me' Brown. We’ll be looking at the Council of Nicea, Emperor Constantine, and where did the idea of Jesus being married come from? We're joined by critic, author and perennial bad penny, Andy Godfrey to tell us about the film's production. 

 

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 21:21

For our 99th episode, we're looking at Pluribus, the Apple TV show starring Rhea Seehorn, the cosy, post-apocalyptic science fiction television series created by Vince Gilligan. We’ll be looking in-depth at the flaws in utilitarianism, as well as the importance of free will and the occasional demon possession. Giles & Julia are joined by writer and R.S teacher Natalie Minaker who talks about how Pluribus gave her something of a crisis of faith in her utilitarian principles and teaches us about John Stuart Mill. 

 

Finding the Faith in the Film starts at 8:28. 

For this episode, we’re looking at 'Wake Up Dead Man'. The third film in Knives Out murder mystery series starring Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin and Daniel Craig. We’ll be looking at the rise of Christian Nationalism, the difficulties of Christian leadership when you get too popular and how to talk to those on the other side of the political divide.

We are joined by the wonderful Steve Chalke MBE. Steve is a speaker, author, broadcaster and founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust.  

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 36:09.

 

For this episode, we’re looking at Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh’s 2017 film starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell. We’ll be looking at the most dramatic conversion in the Bible, what does loving your enemy look like and how the Bible is used to oppress women. 

 

We speak to writer and speaker Sally Hope from Always Hopeful about how the Bible has been used to clobber women throughout the centuries. https://alwayshopeful.org.uk/

 

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 10:33.

For this episode, we’re looking at The Last Jedi, the controversial second film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. We’ll be looking at what the Jedi code actually is, what is deconstruction and what is the 180 rule? For this episode, we let Julia get into her feelings about the film, and watch her go through her own Star Wars deconstruction in real time!

Finding the Faith in the begins at 30:28.

 

We’re looking at Supernatural, the TV series created by Eric Kripke following the lives of the Winchester brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters and the occasional fallen angel. Giles and Julia are joined by the First Lady of GiF, Claire Gough as she and Julia work out a schedule for sharing Dean and we'll be hearing from super fan Laura Jayne Hunt as we dive into the murky world of the Supernatural fandom reddit. 

 

Supernatural has famously run for 15 seasons, making it damn near impossible to cover the whole thing in one episode. So for the purposes of this episode, we’ll be looking purely at the first 5 seasons, as it forms a clear coherent story arc.

 

Finding the Faith in the Film starts at 26:26. 

For the second part of our Easter special, we’re looking at The Chosen, season 5. The multi-season series focusing on the life of Jesus, as seen through his followers. We’ll be asking what do the gospels say about violence, how do we deal with religious violence and how do we engage with media made by problematic people?

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 4:29.

For our Easter special, we’re looking at Jesus Christ Superstar. The 1973 version of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s phenomenally successful rock opera musical. We’ll be looking at Bertolt Brecht, the representation of Judas, the controversy around Mary Magdalene, and what is hypostatic union?

 

Finding the faith in the film begins at 17:45

For our very special 2025 Christmas episode, we’ll be looking at ‘Home Alone’, the 1990 classic directed by Chris Columbus, written by the legendary John Hughes and starring Macaulay Culkin in his breakout role. Also, as it's the God in Film Christmas Party, we'll be swapping gifts and you're welcome to stick around for that!

Please note: this is one of those 'Nonsense episodes'. If you want serious theological and cinematic insight, please check out one of our other episodes. Don't say you weren't warned...