For those who are interested, the post-screening discussion from the January 16 Kansas City showing of A Polite Bribe has been posted on the film’s Vimeo page:
The panel featured director Robert Orlando as well as local scholars (from left to right) David May (Professor of New Testament, Central Baptist Theological Seminary), Israel Kamudzandu (Assistant Professor of New Testament, St. Paul School of Theology), and Andy Johnson (Professor of New Testament, Nazarene Theological Seminary).
I encourage you to visit the Vimeo page for A Polite Bribe and check out a few of the other pre- and post-screening discussions, almost all of which feature some lively and thought-provoking discussion. One of my favorites so far is this video from Madison, WI, in which Ball State University professor Joseph Marchal levels a series of criticisms at the film. Marchal begins speaking around the 19:30 mark, but I encourage you to watch the whole video, as the other scholars present also have equally important thoughts worth entertaining.
I found Marchal’s critique of the film fascinating. When it comes to Pauline studies I’m not heavily invested in one particular viewpoint over another, so instead of taking a hardline stance either for or against the film’s narrative, I have simply enjoyed the conversation offered by differing views all around.
Joshua,
Thanks for posting these videos. Just a few follow up comments that I think your audience should know. 1) In the case of Joe’s comments, I did not think they were irrelevant questions, but a) delivered at the inappropriate time (film background session) and b) were delivered with a accusatory tone, as if from some higher moral ground. 2) As you have stated eloquently in the past, the A Polite Bribe film does not require a religious or political stance because it simply raises a question (a riddle) about the narrative sequence built on the collection? Is this provable in scripture? History? DId Luke know about it? Why leave it out? What role did this collection play? As a filmmaker first this is where I am most comfortable in discussing the film and where I think it is the most productive. Thanks again.
RobO