Gender. Ah, that unforgettable topic. Gender never stops being controversial, especially when it comes to the question of whether or not women should be allowed to be the breadwinner, the main moneymaker in a relationship. Katelyn Beaty of Christianity Today argues that it just might be okay for women to be the breadwinner, since it’s sometimes necessary for women to do this in light of their context. Read more
Back in 2011, I wrote a piece about Marion Laval-Jeantet, a French artist who injected herself with horse blood plasma in order to explore “trans-species relationships.” Laval-Jeantet isn’t the only artist working in this area and using their body as an artistic medium, though. Here’s a list of 7 “bio-artists” who explore, sometimes in disturbing ways, such topics as human enhancement, post-genderism, social concepts of beauty, and genetic manipulation. And in the process, they can challenge many of our traditional assumptions about... Read more
"The show’s scenario promises to be fertile ground for the exploration of the complexities of human nature and a reminder of our innate capacities, for good or for ill." Read more
With the new SCOTUS decisions coming down, there’s been a lot of historical prognostication and jabbering about being on “the right side of history.” Ted Olsen reminds us over at Christianity Today, that there have been a lot of rewrites. Read more
"We don't have to make Jesus into a mess like us in order to find Him approachable and interesting." Read more
Mad Men Recap 6.12: “You’re a Monster” The definitive image book-ending the recent Mad Men episode “The Quality of Mercy” is an overhead shot of Don Draper curled up in the fetal position–first on a children’s bed in his apartment, then on the couch in his office. Awaking in bed alone, Megan finds Don curled up in the aforementioned position, and, concerned, orders him to take a “sick” day. Later in the day, then, Don and Megan go to the movies so... Read more
From a legal and political perspective, I’m with Hadley Arkes that this is an unmitigated disaster. But from the perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I can agree with Dr. Russell Moore that there is always good news, even though, as he puts it, “Same-sex marriage is headed for your community.” Wise words for those of us who don’t plan to give in – ever – regardless of what the Court might say. Read more
What would authentic dialogue look like in the pro-life/pro-choice debate? Read more
If you’ve been tuned into conversations about gaming within the past few months or so, you’ve probably noticed that the Irrational Games Bioshock: Infinite is making a lot of waves. From its fully realized setting to its mind-bending plot, B:I has garnered a lot of critical praise and more than one “best game ever” nod. Of course, there are dissenters like Phil Hartup, who insists that B:I has nothing new to teach us (“What are we really learning here? That racism is bad? That religious fanaticism... Read more
Over at Medium, Stu Horvath considers the claims of some of the more, uhm, eccentric Christian popular culture critics. Are pop starts like Beyonce, Kanye West, and Jay-Z really part of a mystical organization run by and for Satan himself? The answer may (not) surprise you. Read more
Christ and Pop Culture
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In