The Televangelist: Community’s Magnum Opus
“What makes the episode . . . is the heartbreaking and illuminating final parallel timeline: the one in which Jeff Winger’s will is thwarted and his absence is felt.”
Elsewhere: Balking Dawkins, the “Age” of Instagram, Grand Grantland, and the Music of 1991
Also: Kirk is not “one of the ladies,” Rich links to Video “Game” articles, Alan is profound, and Jason enjoys music.
The Moviegoer: The Ides of March (Clooney, 2011)
“Its portrayal is unconcerned with how we wish the political sphere functioned; instead, this film looks unflinchingly at the way things are.”
Mixed Signals: Seeking Some Quiet in the Media Storm
“Messaging is all around us, in our schools, theaters, and airplanes. But we are not without recourse.”
Music at Mars Hill: Switchfoot’s Vice Verses
This kind of “eternity begins now” thematic material is not just a fluffy theological verdict; Foreman is aching and urgently yearning for living out the kingdom of God in the here and now.
What Memes Mean: Haunted Houses and Christian Self-Awareness
“Stop thinking so much about yourself, but do not stop thinking about yourself completely. Either of these things can keep you from Jesus.”
Reading Through “Half the Church,” Part 3: Putting Women in Their Place
Women are meant to be men’s “helpers”, but what does that even mean?
When Games Matter: What I Learned about Counseling from Sideway: New York
“Such counsel overwhelms people and does more harm than good. . . . Believe it or not but a well designed videogame actually brought this to my attention.”
Watching Politics From the Pew: Two-Year Marriage Licenses
“Events like these just serve as a reminder to me that the government can fail you at any time. Pastors cannot look to the state to tell people the right way to live.”
Citizenship Confusion: the Offense of the Gospel as a License for Arrogance
“. . . we must make every effort to discern between our self-righteous offense, which has no place in the Church, and the offense of the cross.”
The Kiddy Pool: Knuffle Bunny Free, A Review
“The beauty of the first two Knuffle Bunny books lies in the powerful emotions of the everyday, small exchanges imbued with meaning”
Grace Notes: Emil Klotzsch, Youth Lagoon
Emil Klotzsch explores the Scottish Highlands and Youth Lagoon’s video would make Terrence Malick proud.
The Televangelist: The New Girl, The Last Man Standing, and Gender Relations
“As adults, it’s way past time for us to climb out of the club house with the “no girls allowed” sign and start learning from one another.”
Sacred Space: Becoming an “Every Tribe” Church
“[I]f a church can build community around the gospel, there is no end to the character it can take on and foster…”
Elsewhere: Jobs, SCIENCE, Wallstreet, and a Missing Bridge
Drew writes about a video game, Andy Crouch on Steve Jobs, Kirk is pretty sure a certain blogger “rejects” social Darwinism, and Mormonism is not a cult, just a heresy?
The Moviegoer: 50/50 (Levine, 2011)
“[D]ark circumstances are sometimes necessary to reveal the hidden darkness in our hearts.”
