by Brian Godawa
John Walton has written recently of this ANE concern with powers over structure in direct relation to the creation story of Genesis. He argues that in the ancient world existence was understood more in terms of function within a god-created purposeful order than in terms of material status within a natural physical structure.
[109] This is not to say that the physical world was denied or ignored, but rather that the priority and interests were different from our own. We should therefore be careful in judging their purpose-driven cosmography too strictly in light of our own material-driven cosmography. And in this sense, modern material descriptions of reality are just as “false” as the ancient pictures because they do not include the immaterial aspect of reality: Meaning and purpose.
Biblical writers did not teach their cosmography as scientific doctrine revealed by God about the way the physical universe was materially structured, they assumed the popular cosmography to teach their doctrine about God’s purposes and intent. To critique the cosmic model carrying the message is to miss the meaning altogether, which is the message. God’s throne may not be physically above us in waters held back by a solid firmament, but he truly does rule “over” us and is king and sustainer of creation in whatever model man uses to depict that creation. The phrase “every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth” (Rev. 5:13) is equivalent in meaning to the modern concept of every particle and wave in every dimension of the Big Bang space-time continuum, as well as every person dead or alive in heaven or hell.
The geocentric picture in Scripture is a depiction through man’s ancient perspective of God’s purpose and humankind’s significance. For a modern heliocentrist to attack that picture as falsifying the theology would be cultural imperialism. Reducing significance to physical location is simply a prejudice of material priority over spiritual purpose. One of the humorous ironies of this debate is that if the history of science is any judge, a thousand years from now, scientists will no doubt consider our current paradigm with which we judge the ancients to be itself fatally flawed. This is not to reduce reality to relativism, but rather to illustrate that all claims of empirical knowledge contain an inescapable element of human fallibility and finitude. A proper response should be a bit more humility and a bit less hubris regarding the use of our own scientific models as standards in judging theological meaning or purpose.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Godawa is the screenwriter for the award-winning feature film, To End All Wars, starring Kiefer Sutherland. It was awarded the Commander in Chief Medal of Service, Honor and Pride by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, won the first Heartland Film Festival by storm, and showcased the Cannes Film Festival Cinema for Peace.
He also co-wrote Alleged, starring Brian Dennehy as Clarence Darrow and Fred Thompson as William Jennings Bryan. He previously adapted to film the bestselling supernatural thriller novel The Visitation by author Frank Peretti for Ralph Winter (X-Men, Wolverine), and wrote and directed Wall of Separation, a PBS documentary, and Lines That Divide, a documentary on stem cell research.
Mr. Godawa’s scripts have won multiple awards in respected screenplay competitions, and his articles on movies and philosophy have been published around the world. He has traveled around the United States teaching on movies, worldviews, and culture to colleges, churches and community groups.
His book, Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment has been released in a revised edition from InterVarsity Press. His book Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination (IVP) addresses the power of image and story in the pages of the Bible to transform the Christian life.
Find out more about his other books, lecture tapes and dvds for sale at his website www.godawa.com.
Noah Primeval is the First in a Series!
Sign up to Receive News and Updates of the Series with each New Volume!
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www.ChroniclesOfTheNephilim.com
Watch the trailers, listen to the audio commercial, stay informed.
Enoch Primordial is one chapter of the series saga Chronicles of the Nephilim, that charts the rise and fall of the Nephilim and just what their place is in the evil plans of the fallen sons of God called, “The Watchers.”
Book 1, Noah Primeval, reveals the hero’s journey of Noah that leads to God’s first act of justice against this diabolical plan of the Watchers: The Deluge.
The Prequel, or Lost Book 2, Enoch Primordial tells the forgotten story of the original descent of the Watchers on Mount Hermon and their introduction of the Nephilim into the created order.
Book 3, Gilgamesh Immortal tells the story of the first Giant King after the Flood, Gilgamesh of Uruk and his epic search for eternal life.
Read the rest of the series to discover just how far the Seed of the Serpent will go in its war on the Seed of Eve.
BOOKS BY BRIAN GODAWA
When Giants Were Upon the Earth: The Watchers, Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed By Brian Godawa
The Appendices of the Chronicles of the Nephilim Together in One Book.
The bestselling Biblical fantasy novel series Chronicles of the Nephilim has opened a door for Christian imagination and theology like none other. But many have appreciated the appendices of each novel as much as the novels. In those appendices, author Brian Godawa shares the Biblical and ancient historical and mythical research that undergirds the fiction. Now all those appendices have been placed together in one book for those who want serious study of the topics of the Watchers, Nephilim, and the Biblical Cosmic War of the Seed.
This book has the special bonus of a previously unpublished chapter on the Book of Enoch, as well as a newly expanded chapter on the Sons of God. But it also contains the appendices of the last two Chronicles, David Ascendant and Jesus Triumphant before their release!
Chapters Include:
1) The Book of Enoch: Scripture, Heresy or What? (Bonus Chapter)
2) Sons of God (Newly expanded from Noah Primeval)
3) The Nephilim (from Noah Primeval) 4) Leviathan (from Noah Primeval) 5) Mesopotamian Cosmic Geography in the Bible (from Noah Primeval) 6) Retelling Bible Stories and Mythic Imagination (from Enoch Primordial) 7) Gilgamesh and the Bible (from Gilgamesh Immortal) 8) In Defense of Ancient Traditions (from Abraham Allegiant) 9) Mythical Monsters in the Bible (from Joshua Valiant) 10) Canaanite Baal and Old Testament Storytelling Polemics (Caleb Vigilant) 11) Goliath was Not Alone (from David Ascendant)
12) Jesus and the Cosmic War (from Jesus Triumphant)
To order books and products by Brian Godawa,
as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at:
www.godawa.com
Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment
By Brian Godawa
With the sensibilities of an award-winning Hollywood screenwriter and the sensitivities of a thoughtful Christian, Brian Godawa guides us through the place of redemption in film, the "tricks of the trade" that screenwriters use to communicate their worldview through their stories, and the mental and spiritual discipline required for watching movies. Hollywood Worldviews helps us enter a dialogue with Hollywood that leads to a happier ending, one that keeps us aware of our culture and awake to our faith.
Endorsements:
“Provocative and challenging. Even when I find myself disagreeing with Brian Godawa in his evaluation of a particular film, his cinematé and sophisticated point of view command attention.”
— Michael Medved, Film critic and author of Hollywood Versus America.
“Brian’s analysis is insightful and stimulating. Our Biblical values are colliding with worldviews in the movies, and Brian shows us why. Those values are also illuminated by intersecting with movies, and I find that especially exciting. We might even understand the Bible with more insight from seeing these connections.”
— Ralph Winter, Producer X-Men 2, Planet of the Apes, X-Men
To order Hollywood Worldviews and o
ther books and products by Brian Godawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.godawa.com
Word Pictures: Knowing God Through Story and Imagination By Brian Godawa
In his refreshing and challenging book, Godawa helps you break free from the spiritual suffocation of heady faith. Without negating the importance of reason and doctrine, Godawa challenges you to move from understanding the Bible “literally” to “literarily” by exploring the poetry, parables and metaphors found in God's Word. Weaving historical insight, pop culture and personal narrative throughout, Godawa reveals the importance God places on imagination and creativity in the Scriptures, and provides a Biblical foundation for Christians to pursue image, beauty, wonder and mystery in their faith.
Endorsements:
“Brian Godawa is that rare breed—a philosopher/artist—who opens our eyes to the aesthetic dimension of spirituality. Cogently argued and fun to read, Godawa shows convincingly that God interacts with us as whole persons, not only through didactic teaching but also through metaphor, symbol, and sacrament.”
— Nancy R. Pearcey,
Author, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from its Cultural Captivity
“A spirited and balanced defense of the imagination as a potential conveyer of truth. There is a lot of good literary theory in the book, as well as an autobiographical story line. The thoroughness of research makes the book a triumph of scholarship as well.”
— Leland Ryken, Clyde S. Kilby Professor of English, Wheaton College, Illinois
Author, The Christian Imagination: The Practice of Faith in Literature & Writing.
To order Word Pictures and other books and products by Brian Godawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.godawa.com
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 historical 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?
Change Your Life!
Written by Adam Christing and Brian Godawa
Adam Christing hosts this hilarious mockumentary following a group of six average Americans pursuing the American dream: Get Rich Quick! And they’re going to do it through multi-level marketing. Super Success guru, Simon Martinez and his wife, Melinda (played by Hollywood stars Tony Plana and Ada Maris) are coming to town with their marketing strategy of how to make money, hosted at the big convention called Successpo!
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
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
