Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews

  Schindler's List Schindler's List is a 1993 film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the book by Thomas Keneally. It tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German business-man who saved over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factory. The film begins with Schindler arriving in Kraków in 1939, hoping to make his for-tune as a war profiteer. He establishes a factory for enamelware, using Jewish labor obtained through connections with the Nazi SS. Initially motivated by profit, Schindler's perspective changes as he witnesses the horrific treatment of Jews by the Nazis, particularly during the liquidation of the Kraków Ghetto and the brutality of the Plaszów concentration camp's commandant, Amon Göth. As Schindler's compassion grows, he uses his wealth and influence to protect his Jewish workers, often at great personal risk. He bribes Nazi officials, ensuring that his workers are deemed essential to the war effort and thus spared from ex...

Man's Search for Meaning By Viktor Frankl 1946/2006 The book is divided into two parts. The first part chronicles Viktor Frankl’s personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, during World War II. He describes the daily struggles and atrocities that he and other prisoners endured, such as starvation, forced labour, and constant threat of death. Despite the horrific conditions, Frankl observed that some individuals managed to find a sense of meaning and purpose, which helped them survive. He notes that those who had something to live for, whether it was a loved one or a future goal, were more resilient and more likely to endure the suffering. In the second part of the book, Frankl introduces his psychotherapeutic method called logotherapy, which focuses on the pursuit of meaning as the central human motivational force. According to Frankl, life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable ones. He argues that people can discover meaning throu...

  Elizabeth R, An Unlikely Head of State A video production Elizabeth R is a historical dramatization of the life of Elizabeth I from her years as a youthful princess who cares about her frail brother on the throne of England through her battles with powerful and cunning men within the nation and those in neighboring France and Spain as well as the threat of the shrewd Queen Mary and her Catholic entourage, to her final years that would lead to the grand union of England and Scotland. This BBC docudrama was released as a TV miniseries in the UK 10 March 1971—a year before it reached the US. Glenda Jackson appeared to grow into the character of Queen Elizabeth I as the series progressed through the historic events that served as a prelude to the emerging European empires, which in a few decades would carry their fractious religious and political differences to the Americas. What’s so different from other films is the careful attention to the historic characters and their conflicts. ...

Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith  An Introductory Guide   by Paul Moes and Donald J. Tellinghuisen A review by   Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith by Paul Moes and Donald J. Telling-huisen is an introductory guide that bridges the gap between psychology and Christian theology. The book is structured around five key themes of human nature from a biblical perspective: • relational persons, • brokenness and the need for redemption, • embodiment, • responsible limited agency, and • meaning-seeking The authors explore various psychological concepts students encounter in Introduction to Psychology Courses such as research methodology, brain and behavior, consciousness, sensation and perception, learning, memory, decision-making, developmental psychology, emotion, social psychology, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. Each chapter includes discussion questions and reflection prompts to help readers integrate their faith wit...

Battered into submission:  The tragedy of wife abuse in the Christian home   by James and Phyllis Alsdurf Battered into Submission   begins with a nightmare. Lucille Tisland, a pastor's wife, shot and killed her husband. She reported his abuse including a threat to kill her and their children. Battered into Submission addresses the often overlooked issue of wife abuse within Christian homes. The authors, James and Phyllis Alsdurf, draw on extensive research and interviews with victims, abusers, and pastors to explore the psychological, spiritual, and personal impact of wife abuse. They highlight that abuse can occur even in homes where the husband is a Christian and the family upholds traditional values. The book calls on the church to acknowledge and address this issue, providing hope and healing to those affected. The authors tackle Christian teaching often directed at women to be in submission. They also reveal the large numbers of clergy who do not support a wife le...

A Gift for All Ages A Family Handbook on Sexuality  by Clifford and Joyce Penner Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD   A Gift for All Ages by Clifford and Joyce Penner is a comprehensive family handbook on sexuality that provides a developmental approach to understanding human sexuality from birth through old age. The authors, both experts in their fields, aim to help the Christian community embrace sexuality as a natural and positive aspect of life. They discuss various stages of sexual development and offer practical advice for families to talk openly and positively about sexuality. The book is designed to be a helpful resource for parents, educators, and anyone interested in promoting healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors. The Penners present a specific Christian approach that is generally consistent with an evangelical worldview. For example, their views on contraception are different from Catholic teaching and their views on motherhood and same sex relationships (their ...