Rev. Malcolm Guite recently sparked debate by arguing that Hollywood can’t top the power of human imagination. His comments criticize modern movies for limiting spiritual depth and personal creativity, urging viewers to reclaim their God-given ability to envision truth beyond screens.
, saying it helps people connect with higher truths and biblical principles. He warns that movies spoon-feed images, leaving no room for personal reflection or the “numinous” experiences found in faith. This aligns with conservative values emphasizing individual responsibility and spiritual growth over passive entertainment.
, according to Guite. He points to The Lord of the Rings and Narnia as rare exceptions rooted in Christian themes, but argues most modern adaptations prioritize spectacle over meaning. “Fantasy isn’t about escape,” he says. “It’s about fighting spiritual battles—something Hollywood rarely grasps.”
. Guite highlights George MacDonald’s 19th-century fairy tales, which inspired Tolkien and Lewis, as examples of stories that trust readers to imagine sacred truths. Movies, he claims, replace this active participation with flashy visuals that “dull the soul’s hunger for mystery.”
, seeing it as a rebuke of left-leaning media trends that prioritize ideology over timeless values. One critic noted, “Woke culture wants to control narratives. Guite reminds us that true imagination breaks chains, pushing us toward God’s ultimate story.”
. Guite urges families to read classic literature aloud, fostering imagination as a counter to screen addiction. He warns that without this effort, future generations might lose the ability to “see truth through Scripture’s lens instead of Netflix’s.”
, arguing films like The Chosen prove faith-based media can inspire. Yet Guite insists even well-meaning adaptations risk reducing biblical depth to mere entertainment. “A movie about David and Goliath isn’t the same as wrestling with Psalms in your heart,” he asserts.
: Guite’s message resonates with conservatives seeking to protect tradition in a secular age. By championing imagination as a sacred tool, he challenges believers to look beyond screens and rediscover the “living stories” that shape character and faith.
