Re-Writing Jesus: Christ in 20th-Century Fiction and Film

Graham Holderness (2015)

Overview

The central paradox of Christian theology—that God became man and suffered for salvation—makes Christ uniquely accessible for artistic representation. For two millennia, the figure of Jesus has captivated artists and writers. This fascination intensified in the 20th century, a supposedly secular age, where fictional and cinematic Christs often became more familiar than the biblical one. This book examines how authors and filmmakers have reimagined Christ in works ranging from Anthony Burgess's 'Man of Nazareth' to Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. It traces a lineage of 'Jesus novels' and films back to Ernest Renan and George Moore.

Who it's for

• Readers interested in the intersection of theology, literature, and film.
• Those exploring the evolution of Christological interpretations in modern media.
• Academics and students of religious studies and cultural history.

Key features

• Language: English
• Pages: 264
• Binding: Hardback
• ISBN: 9781472573322
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2015