ABSTRACT
The field of Bible and Film is a burgeoning discipline that shows no signs of slowing down. Although it is impossible to predict with certainty how the field will unfold in the future, this chapter examines two areas that will likely receive increased attention within the field of Bible and Film: “non-biblical” films and television. Films do not have to cite or allude to biblical texts—or function like biblical genres—in order to generate insights when placed into constructive conversations with biblical texts. Innumerable films, for example, share with biblical wisdom literature an interest in existential questions about living meaningfully in a world that may appear meaningless. Like Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes, Citizen Kane skewers attempts to find meaning in wealth and success. Boundaries between film and television are increasingly blurred, and—as more films are released on streaming services rather than in theaters—will become even more so. Although initially released in theaters, Scorsese’s The Irishman was primarily a television event.
