The best way I can describe the Swedish film, A Man Called Ove, is this: it is essentially the book of Ruth meets It’s a Wonderful Life. Just like the classic film about George Bailey, our protagonist is trying to kill himself. In Bailey’s case, he is rescued by the angel Clarence who is trying desperately to get his wings and pulls him out of the icy river in which Bailey tries to kill himself. In Ove’s case, every time... Read more
There is scarcely anything a Western Christian will resist more than the pointing out of communal sin. To acknowledge communal sin cuts against the fierce individualism of Western cultural thought; to think that I am tied up in sins of my society that I may have never consciously chosen or that I may be unconsciously committing suggests I do not direct my own destiny. This is a terrifying thought, for the rugged individuality of the self is core to a... Read more
A steady diet of talk radio, angry blogs, and aggressive pundits has finally borne its fruit in the American Christian’s heart. The issue isn’t conservatism or liberalism as there have always been Christians who followed Christ faithfully in both political camps. The issue is attitude of the heart and how what we feed our minds over and over again forms us spiritually, one way or another. While I was growing up, one of my family members would have Rush Limbaugh... Read more
I consider myself a peaceful Trump resistor; I have not yet attended a protest but would be open to joining in. While I’m more than willing to give the administration due credit when something life-giving happens (the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch was something I was happy about), I stand opposed to so many of the values of the Trump administration: the blaming of “foreigners” for all our problems, the corruption, the casual disregard for the Bill of Rights, the... Read more
In the 2005 George Clooney-directed black and white film, Good Night and Good Luck, a bully emerges and exploits fear to gain dominance and one man finds the courage to stand up to him. The recounts the journalistic confrontation of Edward R. Murrow against Senator Joseph McCarthy and his witch hunt for Communists in the 1950s. (You can rent or purchase the film on Amazon’s streaming video service.) The script, written by Clooney and Grant Heslov, is spare and elegant.... Read more
The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is currently being held in Missoula, Montana. This year, it features 210 films, being shown over the course of ten days, February 17-26. I had a chance to visit this past Saturday. With limited time at the festival, I focused my attention on films that would guide me to greater knowledge and empathy on important social issues that matter to me as a Christian, particularly that of racial justice. In this dispatch from the... Read more
How should Christians respond to the Trump administration executive order relevant to refugees? In the flurry of activity since the new President took office last month, it has been difficult to stay on top of happenings in the news, obtain clear facts about them, and then think clearly about a biblical, Christian response. I work from home and have more time to devote to following the news than many do. But even so, I have been overwhelmed with the amount... Read more
It is now almost a month and half since the election. I have not written about it yet, except on social media. It’s been difficult to put into words the depth of what I’ve been feeling and to do it in a charitable way. I admit I wrote a long, (unpublished) razed-earth post that made me feel better but would convince precisely no one and would only serve to make me and people who see things as I do feel... Read more
Note from Rebecca: This past week, I was approached by a friend who asked if I would publish the following piece. She is a person who is honest and trustworthy, and I’m grateful she has been willing to share her story with my readers. I hope her words will open hearts and help there be more understanding for victims of assault. Because of the sensitive nature of this post, I am asking for extra care in the comments section. Any... Read more
Guys, can I chat honestly with you, just between us friends? I am getting so, so, so tired of obvious blatant misinformation flying across the internet. I am getting especially fed up with it coming from Christians. After all, one of the 10 Commandments tells us, “Do not bear false witness.” When Christians spread false gossip around the internet, we live like people of the lie instead of people of truth. We damage the reputation of others, which, in our... Read more
Rebecca Florence Miller
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