Discerning Beyond the Screen

“As Christian-based films continue to improve in quality, an increasing number of these movies provide stories that have both spiritual meaning and power. Traditionally, many Christian-themed movies were thought to be evangelistic tools. But Toya Booth has rightly recognized that the larger potential of such movies resides in their ability to encourage discipleship and spiritual formation. I recommend Discerning Beyond the Screen, as it will encourage Christians to expand their resources for deepening their relationship with Jesus.”


—Robert K. Johnston, author of Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue





“Toya Booth’s interdisciplinary project is one of the first to take seriously the tremendous influence and potential of the rapidly growing Christian film industry. Drawing from very rich resources in the Spiritual Disciplines tradition, she encourages her readers to be more attuned to film’s distinctive potential for spiritual formation and seeks to inspire a renewed imagination for a vibrant ministry within and beyond the church. Readers will be inspired by Booth’s vision and be better equipped to care for our increasingly media saturated communities.”


—Daniel Train, associate director, Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts, Duke University





“In our rapidly evolving digital age, the intersection of media and spirituality has become an increasingly relevant topic. In the book Discerning Beyond the Screen, Toya Booth delves into the profound ways that movies and media serve as tools for spiritual formation, highlighting their potential as disciplines and practices that shape us from the inside out. This book is a compelling exploration of the symbiotic relationship between media and spiritual formation.”


—Sonia J. Crawley, soul care advocate and practitioner