Handling the moral failures of heroes
Films in Conversation is a new program at Churches Making Movies in which festival goers engage in a collective discourse about specific, theories, implications, lessons and/or themes in films screened. Specifically, how the film’s story intersects with, aligns, or maligns with God’s story. These sessions, led by "conversation starters" including experts, researchers, professors, and eyewitnesses focus on areas including moral reasoning, free will, and divine authority as well as the more practical justice, greed, and integrity.
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FILMS IN CONVERSATION
This year, screening at the festival are two films on Martin Luther: 1517 the Flame Rekindled and The Two Faces of Martin Luther which examines the anti-Semitic writings of Martin Luther.
Utilizing both films as a springboard to discussion, attendees and "conversation starters," will engage in a discussion about dealing with the failures of those we hold in high esteem.
Conversation Starters
Rev. Dr. Alfred Johnson
The Rev. Dr. Jill R. Schaeffer is a Visiting Associate Professor of Ethics at New York Theological Seminary. She is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary (MDiv 1984) and Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley (PhD 1999). She was ordained to Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1985, Presbytery of the Redwoods, California. From 1970-1972 she studied at the New York Center for Psychoanalytic Training and from 1969-1973 she did Graduate work in Clinical Psychology at the New School for Social Research in New York City.
Dr. Schaeffer was an Adjunct Professor in New York Theological Seminary’s Master of Professional Studies Program (MPS) at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Ossining, New York. She taught Church History I and II, Introduction to Christian Ethics, Religion in American Culture and Introduction to First and Second Testament.