By Ross Engel - You know the scene. It is the end of the date. Boy and girl, face to face, nervously rocking back and forth, inching closer, fumbling about, both wanting to, but neither one quite bold enough to make the final move for the first kiss. Someone needs to be courageous and pucker … Continue reading Go On and Kiss the Girl!
By Tim Winterstein - Amid recent high-profile defections from formerly prominent Christians, one would think films would have long begun to move away from religious—and specifically Christian—imagery. But as we discussed on a recent episode of Saints and Cinema, with the Reverend Scott Stiegemeyer, horror movies in particular continue to focus on the religious aspects … Continue reading Good vs. Evil (Again)
By Ross Engel - In the 1997 film, Starship Troopers, which pits humanity against bug-like aliens, there are several strong cultural and political messages buried both subtly and boldly into this classic film. One theme is that Federal service guarantees citizenship within the Federation. The idea behind this is two-fold. First, nations become unstable because … Continue reading Privilege and Responsibility
By Joel A. Hess - Perhaps more than any other story in scripture, the story of Mary and Martha has been the most scandalous. I am serious. Every time I read and preach on this episode of Jesus’ journey, I get frustrated feedback. Frequently the critics do not just direct their angst at me, but … Continue reading The Church of Martha
By Dennis Matyas - Many have and will undertake an account of the recent synodical convention in Tampa. The focus will be diverse, the tone and tenor equally so. For those of us grafted to the veins of the LCMS, we will hear about the convention's nuances and political factions for at least the next … Continue reading 2019 Convention in Memoriam
By Joel Hess - I love Jesus but... Only a Butt says I love Jesus but… These days we often hear people say, “I love Jesus but…I don’t love his words. I don’t like it when he tells me I commit adultery in my heart. I don’t like it when he says, ‘no one comes … Continue reading You can’t Love Jesus and not His Church
By Andrew Belt - In C. S. Lewis’ books The Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan creates the world by singing it into existence. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s world of Middle Earth, Eru Iluvatar (the chief god) instructs the council of the other gods, that he created, to sing a song that will result in the … Continue reading Singing us into Life
