Into the Dark explores the idea that God can reveal truth -- both about himself and about our human condition -- in a myriad of ways, and not just in religious settings. More importantly, Craig Detweiler encourages people to step out of their cinematic comfort zone and watch films that may not be considered good (i.e. free from swearing, sex, violence, etc.)by those who are cautious in their choice of movies.

I don't consider this to be a leisure reading book. Each chapter is a mini-thesis on a particular film, and it discusses the film's artistic merits as well as its usefulness as general revelation. General revelation is the idea that although God reveals himself through special revelation (i.e., the Bible), he can also reveal himself by other means, such as movies, music, art, etc.

But despite the fact that this is not a page-turning novel, Detweiler's points are articulate. He brings experience both from the religious side and from an artist's side, having both a divinity school degree and a film school degree. I found that it was difficult to get through the chapters discussing movies that aren't my particular taste, but I have definitely considered watching some of the films he has discussed. It may be much more a reference material than a cover-to-cover read, but that does not at all diminish the fact that it is an excellent book. ( )