This post is part of a weekly series focused on the National Geographic Channel’s documentary miniseries “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.” I’ll be tackling the topics of that series from a Christian perspective over the next weeks, posting on Tuesdays. This post is based on the next episode, “Who is God,” which will air on 4/17 at 9 p.m. Who is God? This is the driving question of humanity. It’s the reason religions exist. It defines our lives. And... Read more
Welcome to part two of my interview with “Sons and Doubters” co-hosts Aaron Hale and Luke Brawner. In part one, we talked a little bit about the podcast itself and what the duo hope to accomplish with it. But one of the great things about the podcast is listening to Aaron and Luke talk about their own struggles and questions, which season two jumps into with a little more intensity and tension. This part of the interview focuses on... Read more
One of the great discoveries I made last year was the “Sons and Doubters” podcast, which debuted in spring 2015. Hosted by Aaron Hale and Luke Brawner, the show bills itself as “an honest discussion about the times when faith is difficult and doubt is easy.” From the first episode — in which Aaron set the tone by describing himself as being in a phase of “deconstruction” about his faith — I knew this would be a riveting weekly listen. And... Read more
There's a smug satisfaction evangelicals get from Rapture narratives. Not only do the bad guys get judged, but we don't have to suffer; we get to sit on a cloud in Heaven watching the show. Read more
Today marks the third anniversary of Roger Ebert’s death. In honor, I’m re-posting this entry that I wrote for my old, now-defunct blog. What does it mean to love movies? It does not mean to sit mindlessly and blissfully before the screen. It means to believe, first of all, that they are worth the time. That to see three movies during a routine workday or thirty movies a week at a film festival is a good job to have. That... Read more
First, the good news: “God’s Not Dead 2” is almost kind of good. It is, in fact, an easier sit than “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” The sequel to 2014’s surprise faith-based hit tempers some of its predecessor’s angrier tendencies and features characters who look more like people I’ve actually met. Unfortunately, the film is hampered by the same persecution complex, which robs its main plot of logic and clouds the more compelling stories at its fringes. The film’s protagonist is... Read more
In March 2014, “God’s Not Dead” brought in $60 million at the box office, proving that movies for evangelicals can turn a profit. It was quickly followed by “Son of God,” “Heaven is for Real” and this year’s flood of Jesus movies. I initially ignored it, citing my usual allergy to “Christian” cinema. But as “God’s Not Dead 2” hits theaters this weekend, I decided to finally give the movie a shot. And here’s my review: “God’s Not Dead” is an offensive... Read more
Hey everyone! One of the most fun and challenging things I’ve taken up in the past year has been podcasting. I currently co-host two podcasts each month — a pop culture one with friends called “It’s My Favorite,” and one for the Detroit Film Critics Society called “Far From Hollywood.” Both are rewarding and extremely fun highlights of my month; the first because it’s just sitting around with friends talking about the things we love and the second because it’s movie... Read more
It’s been 12 years since “The Passion of the Christ” was released to a storm of controversy and a flood of money. Its detractors called it torture porn, and it was accused of anti-Semitism. But believers were moved and went to see it in droves; its $370 million gross was, at that time, the highest ever for an R-rated movie. Churches bused in audiences and hosted free screenings. People left in tears, many saying their lives were changed. This film... Read more
Every once in awhile, I’ll walk in on my 4-year-old son playing with his superhero action figures. He’s taken a particular shine to Batman and Superman and will often pit the two against each other. When I ask why they’re fighting instead of working together, he sometimes responds that one of them’s a bad guy. “No buddy,” I’ll remind him. “They’re both good guys. They’re the heroes; they help people.” But maybe Mickey’s just caught on to the zeitgeist. In “Batman v... Read more
Chrisicisms
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In