NAPC Community

Over the next three weeks, I will preach a sermon series that raises theological themes associated with three of the summer’s biggest blockbuster movies. It’s remarkable to me that movie producers are willing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in movies that have one goal in mind—making money by entertaining us. According to a recent report on National Public Radio, Spider-Man 3 is the most expensive movie ever made, costing over $350,000,000. Isn’t that unbelievable?

I want to suggest that successful movies are based on a premise of engaging viewers not just with amazing special effects, but also with a plot that draws us into the story. I will admit that the plots of the movies selected for this series are superficial. At the same time, since so many people are watching them, I want to lift up some of the key themes that undergird these movies’ storylines so that we can reflect on them theologically.

Also, after last summer’s sermon series Movies That Preach, several parents commented that their children were interested in the series but unable to watch the movies, since they were all rated PG-13 or R. This summer I’ve included a PG movie, Shrek the Third. So go to the movies, then come to church to reflect further on what you have seen!