Re-forming Romans with First Reformed
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Grace Emmett in
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Abstract
First Reformed (dir. Paul Schrader, 2017) is a powerful exploration of climate breakdown, grief, faith, and loss. In this article, I argue that the film can be read as a longform exegesis of Rom. 8: 18–25 and offers three key points of connection with the text. First is the notion of ‘solastalgia’—a term coined by Glenn Albrecht (2019) to describe contemporary climate grief as ‘the homesickness you have at home’. Second is the role of knowledge in relation to creation’s groaning, particularly in conjunction with the recurring question about whether God will forgive humanity’s contribution to climate breakdown. Third is an examination of the nature of hope, dialoguing with Paul’s rhetorical question about hope in 8:24. Overall, this article argues that there is much to be gained by using First Reformed as a lens for biblical interpretation: the text itself is re-formed.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
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Re-forming Romans with First Reformed
In: Biblical InterpretationSearch for other papers by Grace Emmett in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
First Reformed (dir. Paul Schrader, 2017) is a powerful exploration of climate breakdown, grief, faith, and loss. In this article, I argue that the film can be read as a longform exegesis of Rom. 8: 18–25 and offers three key points of connection with the text. First is the notion of ‘solastalgia’—a term coined by Glenn Albrecht (2019) to describe contemporary climate grief as ‘the homesickness you have at home’. Second is the role of knowledge in relation to creation’s groaning, particularly in conjunction with the recurring question about whether God will forgive humanity’s contribution to climate breakdown. Third is an examination of the nature of hope, dialoguing with Paul’s rhetorical question about hope in 8:24. Overall, this article argues that there is much to be gained by using First Reformed as a lens for biblical interpretation: the text itself is re-formed.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 122 | 122 | 9 |
| Full Text Views | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 37 | 37 | 0 |
