Christ and the Spirit provides a well-researched and accessible overview of Catholic perspectives on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit from a Western, Catholic, Christian understanding as they have emerged and developed over the past two millennia. What is innovative about Markey’s approach is his exploration of these traditions through story and film. Using the films Beauty and the Beast and Star Wars, and with input by colleague Greg Zuschlag, Markey explores the meaning and significance of the Christ and the Holy Spirit through the lens, particularly, of Belle (Beauty) as a “Christ-figure,” one who saves as Christ does humanity from sin and death. This approach forces readers to rethink their understanding of Jesus for today.

The book is well written, engaging, and thought provoking. I highly recommend it as especially appealing for use in undergraduate and graduate theology and religious studies courses. This small book (students will appreciate the brevity), opens up new ways of thinking about and understanding Jesus Christ for the twenty-first century.