When Games Matter: Why Games Aren’t About Story
“The best games give us a sense that we are making our own story and our place in that story is absolutely essential.”
Citizenship Confusion: Do You Care What Others Think about You?
“Our culture delights in and rewards those who spread controversy, but do we? Should we?”
The Kiddy Pool: What’s in a Name?
“…children are not solely the property of their parents.”
Sacred Space: The Church Shouldn’t Make Voting Easy
“Jesus is not running this term, so the decision is hard.”
Eat Your Vegetables: “Inglorious Basterds” (Tarantino, 2009)
The thing that I admire most about “Inglorious Basterds” is that it enforces moral responsibility.
Christ and Pop Culture’s Best Features of 2011
Here are ten feature articles from the past year that you absolutely must read.
The Moviegoer: What’s Oscar Nostalgic For?
On Tuesday, the 2011 Oscar nominees were announced, and it seems that one of the year’s pet themes is nostalgia.
Music at Mars Hill: Most “Original” Score?
“I’m of the persuasion that the way we recognize and receive a medium like music or film is as important a cultural product as the art itself”
What Memes Mean: Attempting to Navigate #thatawkwardmomentwhen
“The times we braved the waters of awkwardness and realized that everyone’s in the same boat were gloriously freeing moments.”
When Games Matter: The Art of Story in The Binding of Isaac
“Isaac respresents a stellar achievement in storytelling by taking something as simple as “powerups” and using them to shed light on the troubling world in which a young boy lives.”
Watching Politics From the Pew: Gingrich, Romney, and Personal History
“Too often we allow ourselves to be caught up in gut reactions, jerked here and there by the most recent or loudest argument.”
Modern Family’s Cussing Controversy
“To what extent are audiences passive or active in the shaping of media, which, ultimately, must please the viewers in order to survive?”
Our Favorite Films of 2011
Our contributors weigh in on the most memorable films of 2011.
Citizenship Confusion: Why John Piper is Wrong and Why Racism Still Matters
“The Gospel must motivate us towards critiquing structural racism, as opposed to only looking to change some attitude inside of us and our neighbors.”
Sacred Space: iPads, Kindles, and Nooks, Oh My!
“For the first time ever, I am teaching a book study from an electronic device.”
Our Favorite Albums of 2011
Some of the year’s most excellent examples of the common grace of God in the world of music.
