I’ve been talking about this book for a long time and it’s finally here! Now you can read the paper that started The Undiscovered Country Project! (Click the image above to buy the book!) 

My paper, “The Undiscovered Country: Star Trek and the Christian’s Human Journey,” was the outgrowth of almost two years of Star Trek exploration and was intended as a one-time presentation for an academic conference. In writing it, however, I realized that this was only the beginning of a much larger journey. In short order, The Undiscovered Country Project was born. Now, you can read a revised and expanded edition of the founding vision for UCP in Light Shining in a Dark Place: Discovering Theology Through Film. It’s available now on the publisher’s website and should be on Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s websites soon!

In the book, you’ll also find an ecclectic mix of insightful essays on fims ranging from Schindler’s List to 300. In addition to discussions of The Social Network, Paris, Texas and the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, there’s a section on sci-fi, fantasty and horror that includes topics such as zombie films, Pan’s Labyrinth and my friend Scott Schiffer’s analysis of DC Comics’ recent slate of animated films. You can learn more about the book at LightShining.org. Here’s a complete list of sections and chapters:

SECTION I From Out of the Darkness, Into the Light: Evil, Violence, Depths, Trauma, and Kindness

1 Representing Evil in Schindler’s List and Life is Beautiful  by Simon Oliver

2 Imagining a Better Way: Ben X and Marjorie Suchocki’s The Fall to Violence: Original Sin in Relational Theology  by J. Ryan Parker

3 De Profundis . . . Out of the Shallows . . . Enter the Void  by Peter Malone

4 Recalling Jesus: Form, Theory, and Trauma in Jesus Cinema  by Michael Leary

SECTION II From Light to Light: Grace, Forgiveness, and Community

5 Embracing Failure and Extending Grace in a Digital Age: Viewing The Social Network and Catfish Theologically  by J. Sage Elwell

6 There Will Be Frogs: P. T. Anderson and the Strangeness of Common Grace  by Alissa Wilkinson

7 Solitude, Search, and Forgiveness in Paris, Texas: An Augustinian Turn  by Jeff Sellars

8 Graphic Theology: Community, Imago Dei, and Temptation in 300  by Megan J. Robinson

9 Making Dinner: The Artistry of Communal Meals in Babette’s Feast and Antonia’s Line  by James H. Thrall

SECTION III From the Light, Into the Darkness: Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Apocalypse

10 The Parable of the Poltergeist: Making Righteous Use of the Element of Horror  by Travis Prinzi

11 The Undiscovered Country: Star Trek and the Christian’s Human Journey  by Kevin C. Neece

12 Theological Reflections and Philosophical Themes in the New DC Comic Films: Faith and Spirituality, Self- Identity, and Worldview through Comic Book Cartoon Movie Adaptations  by Scott Shiffer

13 C. S. Lewis contra Cinema  by Bruce L. Edwards

14 Fantasy, Escapism, and Narrative in Pan’s Labyrinth  by Jeff Sellars

15 Apocalyptic Images and Prophetic Function in Zombie Films  by Kim Paffenroth

I’m very excited about this book and I’m honored to be among this list of contributors. I hope you’ll not only buy the book, but help support it and UCP by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and everywhere else!  Look for more updates here and at LightShining.org!