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'Faith in Film' series explores spirituality
| Friday, Jan 11 2008 1:05 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Jan 11 2008 1:54 PM
Dan Cronquist's love of anime has taken him twice to Japan, the country that produced that animated motion picture art form.
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His Christian faith helped him find God in "Haibane Renmei" ("Grey Winged Federation"), a 13-episode series by master anime artist Yoshitoshi ABe.
Cronquist said redemption and hope are the most prominent themes in the series, exemplified through the struggles of beautifully drawn characters that, like angels, are endowed with halos and wings but, like mortals, must deal with depression, loss, anger and other challenges.
Through these trials, they come "to a realization of who you are yourself, going from a place of semi-belief or unbelief to that place of belief and faith," that for Cronquist mirrors the spiritual struggles of Christians like himself.
Now Cronquist wants to share "Haibane Renmei" with others through a free 13-week course called "Faith in Film," which he will lead at First Presbyterian Church beginning Wednesday. Each week, he plans to show one episode and follow it up with an open discussion.
Most people think of Japanese animation and Christian theology as being mutually exclusive, the Bakersfield-born 26-year-old civil engineer said. But "Haibane Renmei," although not Christian in nature, has plenty that is relevant to Christians or others interested in things spiritual, he said.
"It's like 'The Matrix,' only we don't have any exciting chase scenes," Cronquist said. While not being a Christian film, "The Matrix" has plenty of overt Christian references -- a battle between good and evil forces, a savior-like character, another one named "Trinity" -- but deals with such questions as, "What is truth? What is the definition of reality and existence?" he said.
"In general, a number of people have this idea that church exists as a place, and that's where you go to meet God," Cronquist said. "My perspective on God is that God is everywhere in all that we see" -- including in Japanese anime,which can offer a fresh view of the world as seen through non-Western eyes.
It wasn't easy for Cronquist to persuade his executive pastor, the Rev. Noel Anderson, to let him lead a Christian-based course around an animated show that isn't Christian. "It's such a different idea that it takes some getting used to," Cronquist said. "Presbyterians are pretty conservative. We don't go out and do this very often."
Anderson, who has seen several of the episodes and liked them, still considers Cronquist's project an "unusual" and "risky" one: "If somebody disbelieves in Scripture, they're not going to agree with the (Christian-framed) conclusions he comes to."
Still, he supports the venture.
"I just think that any healthy church is looking for fresh approaches to get into people's hearts," he said, "and we know how much people invest in entertainment, and this is kind of a niche entertainment" that could resonate with some people. Go & Do
What: “Faith in Film,” an exploration of how a Japanese animation series relates to Christian theology.
When: Weekly, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday and continuing through April 9.
Where: The Annex/Room 104 of First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th St. downtown.
How: Viewings of Japanese anime artist Yoshitoshi ABe’s 13-episode series, “Haibane Renmei” (“Grey Winged Federation”) with discussions following.
Why/Who: To “extend people’s horizons” — all are welcome — and broaden their perspective on where one can find God, according to Dan Cronquist, 26, who will lead the course.
Admission: Free. (The room scheduled for viewings/discussions seats about 30, but depending on attendance, a larger room may be used. “Basically if you wanna come, we’ll make room for you,” Cronquist said.)
Information: Call 325-9419 or visit faithinfilm.mrrr.net/