We might applaud Snyder for making a film that’s fun to watch and has a lot more brains than most of this genre. But ultimately, his film fails to empower. It only furthers the cycle of violence and oppression it claims to fight against.
Continue readingA Christian Response to bin Laden’s Death
Last night, the world learned that the US Military successfully executed Osama bin Laden at a compound in Pakistan. Immediately, the Social Media universe exploded in a flurry of celebratory, nationalistic self-congratulation. Within minutes, #Osama bin Laden was leading Twitter’s trends (narrowly beating out Hermione Granger). If you weren’t paying close attention, you’d think that those of us behind the keyboards were responsible for killing him single-handedly.
I found most disturbing the celebration coming from the Christian camp. Many of us were celebrating his death.
One of the more moderate Facebook comments I read a Facebook read, “Toast that our enemy is dead; sad though that anyone goes to hell.” Too many of us have been raising our glasses and cheering bin Laden’s death. And when we’re asked about it, we’ll begrudgingly admit that we’re sad in the abstract that a human being is now in Hell. But our tone and the tenor of our posts and comments make it clear that if anyone deserves to be in Hell, it’s bin Laden – apparently he’s been placed right next to Hitler.
26 New and Improved Reasons I Love My Wife!
26 Brand New and Improved Reasons I Love Amanda Forasteros!
Continue readingHoly Week – Holy Saturday Vigil Prayers
On the Sabbath Jesus rested the Tomb, we keep watch, anxiously awaiting his resurrection. These prayers, ordered according to the traditional hours of the Church, help us to watch and wait.
Continue readingResponsive Reading – It Is Finished
This is a responsive reading we used for Good Friday 2011. It’s based mainly from John’s account of Jesus’ arrest and execution.
Continue readingAllah by Miroslav Volf
Miroslav Volf asks, Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? He answers a qualified, Yes, and that we should be able to work together for peace in this world. Excellent read.
Continue readingTalk: Ashes Part 2 – Born Again
Ever heard you need to be ‘born again’ to follow Jesus? Ever wonder what that means? You’re not alone. This week we listen in with Nicodemus as Jesus dismantles all our clever, careful attempts to control our own spirituality…
Continue readingLove Wins by Rob Bell
Bell’s book is a lot to chew on; it’ll certainly reward several close readings. But it is well within the bounds of Orthodox Christianity, and asks some very good questions (it’s far outside the bounds of Orthodox New Calvinism, and some people mistake that for the whole of the Christian tradition, but rest assured they’re deluded). We need to be talking about Heaven, Hell and the picture of God that lies behind them. It’s a fun read and very accessible.
Continue readingFilm Reflections: Growing Old without Growing Up
The Best Picture nominees shine an interesting light on what’s happening in our culture right now. It touches on a deep apprehension we have towards growing up… which isn’t the same thing as growing old.
Continue readingThe Best Picture: What Should’ve Won
Everyone knows by now that “The King’s Speech” won Best Picture 2010. But it shouldn’t have. Here’s my take on which film deserved to take home the Oscar, and why… I’d love to hear what you think.
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