In 2009, there were two (post)apocalyptic films...that I am aware of, The Road and 2012. Both took drastically different approaches to an age old theme, though neither of them were particularly fresh approaches. 2010 starts off with its own post-apocalyptic film in The Book of Eli. There's much here that is similar to its predecessors, but it does provide a new character...the bible. … [Read more...]
The Hurt Locker
January 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Many of the films that focus on the war in Iraq look at the effects of the war on soldiers returning from battle, think In the Valley of Elah, Brothers, Stop-Loss, etc. Few films have yet to consistently place audiences in the heat of battle. One of the most recent films to do so is Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker, a film being touted by many critics as one of the best films of the year. … [Read more...]
The Earthquake in Haiti, God, and the Arbitrariness of Life
January 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By now, most people are just as familiar with Pat Robertson's interpretation of the Haitian earthquake as they are with the natural disaster itself. Yesterday, I came across two other theological responses to the quake, one by Al Mohler that is almost as offensive as Robertson's and another by Paul Raushenbush that is somewhat more appealing to me. The responses to Raushenbush's response are just as compelling as the article itself, as many non-religious readers responded with vitriol, asking w … [Read more...]
On Monsters: A Review
January 14, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Although it might not sound like it, Stephen T. Asma's latest book, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears, is one of the most theologically compelling texts I have read in quite a while. It lends a certain credence to my advisor's frequent assertions that the genres of horror and the supernatural are the last pop-culture strong holds for spirituality and religion. … [Read more...]
LIFE.SUPPORT.MUSIC. A Review
January 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment
At the first Transforming Theology Conference last year, Tripp Fuller and I videoed the participants answering a select group of theological questions from a pool submitted online. These questions included, "Who is God," "Does God Do Anything," "What Did God Do in Jesus That We Couldn't Do for Ourselves," "What is Truth?" By far, one of the most complex (if the limited amount of people who answered it is any indication) was "Is God as Arbitrary as Life?" While each answer was different, one wo … [Read more...]
Under Pressure
January 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Stephen King is not often known for brevity, and his most recent novel, Under the Dome, is no exception. Clocking in at 1072 pages, it's a commitment that ends, not too soon, but all too quickly. … [Read more...]
A Decade for Documentaries
January 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment
As Richard and I mentioned in our review of some of the most spiritually and theologically significant films of the decade, the 'aughts were a particularly good decade for documentaries. Interestingly enough, some of the best documentaries addressed religious subject matter. Here is a list of ten significant religious documentaries of the decade. … [Read more...]
Ten Spiritually/Theologically Significant Films of the Decade
January 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Pop Theology contributor Richard Lindsay and I have just completed our list of ten spiritually/theologically significant films of the last decade. Check it out after the jump and please share your suggestions as well. … [Read more...]
Follow Patheos
Progressive Christian: