Date
5-20-2026
Degree
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MA)
Chair
Jillian Ross
Keywords
Cinematic, Biblical, Translation, Genesis, 38, Judah, Tamar, Leitmotif, film, bible, Hebrew, old testament, screenwriting, script, page, joseph, Robert Alter, Robert Mckee, John Yorke, Character, Arcs, plot, structure, symmetry, reverse, Jerome Walsh, Adaptation, method, recitation, Einiam, Egypt, Israel, movie, scene, analysis
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Newman, Wesley, "Cinematic Biblical Translation: An Introduction to Narratological Screenwriting through Genesis 38" (2026). Masters Theses. 1465.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1465
Abstract
CBT draws from three areas of study: screenplay analysis, biblical narratology/narrative criticism, and screenplay adaptation to evaluate specific Hebrew narratives into a screenplay. Biblical narratology offers insight into the literary structure and narrative logic of ancient Hebrew storytelling, while contemporary screenwriting explains how narrative functions within modern audiovisual media. The marrying of these two fields creates a new methodology for translating biblical narratives into a form that remains faithful to the text while also being engaging on screen. This allows me to establish the guidelines necessary for crafting an accurate and compelling screenplay translation while also laying the foundation for the broader scope of CBT.
