Watching TV Religiously
by Kutter Callaway with Dean Batali | Book Summary
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Author: Kutter Callaway with Dean Batali
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With the aim of cultural and missional engagement, this book seeks to "offer an exploration of the theological significance of the medium of TV and the contemporary practice of TV watching" (p. 5). This exploration involves three closely related objectives:
The inescapable reality is the fact that TV is deeply embedded in American culture. There is virtually no escaping this medium. Since TV is "one of the primary means through which contemporary persons make sense of their lives and the world" (p. 195), we must understand the power of this medium. |
Kutter Callaway is a graduate (BS) of the University of Colorado and a two-time graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (MAT; PhD). He is an assistant professor of theology and culture at Fuller. Callaway is the author of Scoring Transcendence, The Aesthetics of Atheism, and Deep Focus. He is also involved in projects like Reel Spirituality, the American Academy of Religion, and The Kutter Callaway Podcast.
Dean Batali is an experienced writer for television shows. He has worked on shows like That 70's Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Good Witch. Batali continues to work as a writer for television shows, and he teaches seminars for InterVarsity's Urbana Student Missions Conference. He was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series.
Watching TV Religiously
by Kutter Callaway with Dean Batali
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Kutter Callaway with Dean Batali |
| Publisher | Baker Academic |
| Date | 2016 |
| Pages | 269 |
Overview:
In the 21st century, television is "the dominant storytelling medium… It is both our preferred and most pervasive means for telling ourselves stories—about ourselves" (p. 4). This means that we must understand television to understand American culture. It also means that we must understand television to speak intelligibly to American people.
With the aim of cultural and missional engagement, this book seeks to "offer an exploration of the theological significance of the medium of TV and the contemporary practice of TV watching" (p. 5). This exploration involves three closely related objectives:
- We need a set of "analytical tools" (p. 5) that will enable us to engage with TV as a medium.
- We need a process of "theological reflection" (p. 6) that will enable us to see how God might be at work in and through TV.
- We need a "theology of television" (p. 6) that will enable us to appreciate and evaluate TV.
The inescapable reality is the fact that TV is deeply embedded in American culture. There is virtually no escaping this medium. Since TV is "one of the primary means through which contemporary persons make sense of their lives and the world" (p. 195), we must understand the power of this medium.
Kutter Callaway is a graduate (BS) of the University of Colorado and a two-time graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (MAT; PhD). He is an assistant professor of theology and culture at Fuller. Callaway is the author of Scoring Transcendence, The Aesthetics of Atheism, and Deep Focus. He is also involved in projects like Reel Spirituality, the American Academy of Religion, and The Kutter Callaway Podcast.
Dean Batali is an experienced writer for television shows. He has worked on shows like That 70's Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Good Witch. Batali continues to work as a writer for television shows, and he teaches seminars for InterVarsity's Urbana Student Missions Conference. He was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series.