The theological term to describe this phenomenon is general revelation, which suggests God can speak through anyone or anything at any time. Serious, thoughtful Christians have found themselves transformed by potent, R-rated films like Magnolia, Fight Club and American History X. The fervent discussions swirling around Memento, Eternal Sunshine and Million Dollar Baby suggest people with and without faith commitments find crises of faith to be occasions of searing insight, surprising comfort and unexpected grace.

The word “revelation” has echoes in the Greek word for “apocalypse,” which means, “to uncover, reveal, disclose or make known.” Christian scholars reserve the word “particular” or “special” for the revelation of God in Scripture. Study of general revelation highlights the hints and whispers of God available to us all. Because sunsets and stars are available to all people, they are considered general sources of revelation. General revelation also has been linked to human reason, the nudge of our conscience.

My personal experience of general revelation (within the movies) sparked my search for propositional truth to explain it. To me, films are not useful merely for appreciating overlooked biblical texts or comparing interpretive processes. The best movies are revelatory in nature, not just when exploring themes pertaining to God and ultimate questions, but also provide occasions for the hidden God to communicate through the big screen. Cinema is a locus theologicus, a place for divine revelation.

Some Reformed Protestant traditions have labeled the phenomenon of general revelation “common grace.” Common grace creates theological problems for those of us who wish to have a corner on God’s favor. How could a horror writer like Stephen King pen The Shawshank Redemption? How can we explain the profoundly Christian truths emerging from the collaborative efforts of Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking? Common grace reminds us the gifts of God and the ways of the Spirit are mysterious, beyond our understanding.

Faith and Fantasy

From The Chronicles of Narnia to the Harry Potter movies, fantasy and magic have captivated audiences and succeeded at the box office. While computers and technology animated these movies, they also have re-enchanted our world, reintroducing us to the wonders of nature. Why were fantasy films so often dismissed as kids’ stuff? Perhaps we need to recover the childlike sense of wonder Jesus celebrated. The proliferation of fantasy films reflects the rise of general revelation and a growing hunger for shaping stories among kids of all ages.

For fairytales to work, evil must be taken seriously. Fantasy must mirror our world’s ambiguity, mystery and danger. There are poison apples, berries and mushrooms in the forest. The Wicked Witch of the West fuels children’s nightmares because kidnapping remains a legitimate fear. A wise person doesn’t fall for the queen’s fair appearance. Children must learn to see through nature, to discover the genuine dangers hiding beneath facades.