Perfect in weakness - Faith in Tarkovsky’s Stalker

Jul 31, 2026

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Perfect in Weakness explores faith through Andrēi Tarkovsky’s film Stalker, framing cinema as a site where theology, spirituality, and cultural imagination meet. Colin Heber-Percy presents a dialectic of secrecy and prophecy, tracing how the film’s narratives shape communal belief and personal movement. The book situates its argument within science fiction and Christian faith, then develops key themes across chapters devoted to cracks, journey, the Kingdom of God, faith, and miracle, followed by a concluding coda and scholarly references.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages102

Reading Time2 h 37 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Science Fiction and Faith

Chapter 1: Cracked Cisterns

Chapter 2: Journey

Chapter 3: The Kingdom of God

Chapter 4: Faith

Chapter 5: Miracle

Coda

Bibliography

Perfect in Weakness Faith in Tarkovsky’s Stalker Colin Heber-Percy [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) PERFECT IN WEAKNESS Faith in Tarkovsky’s Stalker Reel Spirituality Monograph Series Copyright © 2019 Colin Heber-Percy. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401. Cascade Books An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3 Eugene, OR 97401 [www.wipfandstock.com](www.wipfandstock.com) PAPERBACK ISBN: 978-1-5326-6324-6 HARDCOVER ISBN: 978-1-5326-6325-3 EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-5326-6326-0 Cataloguing-in-Publication data: Names: Heber-Percy, Colin. Title: Perfect in weakness : faith in Tarkovsky’s Stalker / by Colin Heber-Percy. Description: Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2019 | Reel Spirituality Monograph Series | Includes bibliographical references. Identifiers: ISBN 978-1-5326-6324-6 (paperback) | ISBN 978-1-5326-6325-3 (hardcover) | ISBN 978-1- 5326-6326-0 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Tarkovskiĭ, Andreĭ Arsen'evich, 1932–1986—Criticism and interpretation. | Science fiction—Religious aspects. | Motion pictures—Religious aspects. Classification: PN1998.3.T36 H3 2019 (print) | PN1998.3.T36 (ebook) All Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995. All rights reserved. Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Quotation from THE UNKNOWN UNIVERSITY by Roberto Bolaño. Copyright © 2013, Roberto Bolaño, used by permission of The Wylie Agency (UK) Ltd. Manufactured in the U. S.A. 12/20/18 [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Table of Contents Title Page Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1: Cracked Cisterns Chapter 2: Journey Chapter 3: The Kingdom of God Chapter 4: Faith Chapter 5: Miracle Coda Bibliography [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Reel Spirituality Monograph Series SERIES DESCRIPTION The Reel Spirituality Monograph Series features a collection of theoretically precise yet readable essays on a diverse set of film-related topics, each of which makes a substantive contribution to the academic exploration of Theology and Film. The series consists of two kinds of works: 1) popular-level introductions to key concepts in and practical applications of the Theology and Film discipline, and 2) methodologically rigorous investigations of theologically significant films, filmmakers, film genres, and topics in cinema studies. The first kind of monograph seeks to introduce the world of Theology and Film to a wider audience. The second seeks to expand the academic resources available to scholars and students of Theology and Film. In both cases, these essays explore the various ways in which “the cinema”(broadly understood to include the variety of audiovisual storytelling forms that continues to evolve along with emerging digital technologies) contributes to the overall shape and trajectory of the contemporary cultural imagination. The larger aim of producing both scholarly and popular-level monographs is to generate a number of resources for enthusiasts, undergraduate and graduate students, and scholars. As such, the Reel Spirituality Monograph Series ultimately exists to encourage the enthusiast to become a more thoughtful student of the cinema and the scholar to become a more passionate viewer. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) For Joseph, Theodore, and Agatha cameram vobiscum intravi [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Be one, be weak, keep moving —ROBERTO BOLAÑO [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Dr Kutter Callaway and Elijah Davidson at The Fuller Theological Seminary for their invaluable support, guidance, and wisdom

FAQs

What main relationship does the book draw between science fiction and faith?

It connects the “typical science-fiction plot” with faith by emphasizing the message, the community formed around that message, and the belief that binds the group together.

How is secrecy treated in the narratives discussed?

Secrecy and prophecy work together as a dialectic, shaping how messages are received, guarded, and ultimately interpreted as matters of faith.

Which topics are covered across the chapters of the monograph?

The chapters address cracked cisterns, journey, the Kingdom of God, faith, and miracle, culminating in a coda and supported by a bibliography.

Jul 31, 2026

Upload by Oliver