Screening the Scriptures: Biblical Imagery and Theological Imagination in African Film

Abstract

This paper examines how African films engage with and reinterpret biblical narratives, symbols, and themes, offering a unique lens into contemporary African theological imagination. In an era where visual media significantly shapes religious understanding, African filmmakers increasingly draw on the Bible to frame moral conflicts, portray divine intervention, and explore existential questions within familiar cultural settings. Through a critical analysis of selected films from Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, this study investigates how biblical texts are localized, adapted, and sometimes contested in cinematic storytelling. Particular attention is given to how these portrayals reflect indigenous worldviews, Pentecostal-charismatic influences, and postcolonial identity formation. The paper argues that African cinema functions not merely as entertainment, but as a dynamic site of popular hermeneutics and public theology. It concludes that these visual interpretations both affirm and challenge traditional readings of scripture, revealing the Bible’s evolving role in shaping African Christian thought and life.