By Joseph Trullinger In trying to describe Paolo Sorrentino’s The Young Pope to a few of my friends in philosophy, I told them to imagine that the spirit of Giorgio Agamben had possessed the body of Quentin Tarantino to make a TV show. What I was trying to convey was the show’s curious duality: it’s…
Wonder Woman: Facing the Darkness, Embracing Her Gifts
By Stephanie Pacheco Wonder Woman is a thematic knock out as Diana encounters the reality of evil and chooses to keep loving and place her gifts in the service of humanity. The Amazonian goddess is genuinely moved and affected by the suffering of war, experienced by both soldiers and civilians. From the paradise-like island of…
A Prayer to Ryan Gosling: A Review of Song to Song
“With Song to Song, Terrence Malick avoids the traps of sentimentalism on the one hand, and moralism on the other while telling a deeply human story — one filled with deception, confusion, beauty, longing, goodness, and truth — and therefore a deeply religious one. Its poetic style makes it challenging to audiences, and leaves it open to the ridicule…
Left Alone: Luke Cage and the Post-Racial (Black) Hero
By Muoki Musau I admit off the jump that I don’t watch a lot of TV shows or movies. This isn’t to say that I don’t watch anything; rather, I do not prioritize finding things to watch. Luke Cage, however, caught my attention when it was released on Netflix, and, like many, I was intrigued…
The Theology of Moana
“I was raised in conservative Christianity that had very specific categories for who I could be. There were expectations for what my priorities should be, and there were rigid boundaries dictating where I could not go as a girl, who I could not be. Like Moana, it was always a struggle.” Read more here.
Not Your Mother’s “Wonder Woman”: A Feminist Review
A great piece by Leah D. Schade over at EcoPreacher. “As I watched Wonder Woman not only withstand every weapon launched against her, but inspire her comrades to rise and join her, I thought of the legendary Deborah from the Bible’s book of Judges. Like the Hebrew warrior-prophetess, Wonder Woman is the only one brave…
A Haunted Immanence: Minus the Bear and Secular Re-Enchantment
By Andrew D. Thrasher A residue of transcendence in a lost immanence; raising vocals and samplings of complex perfections. Probably unknown to most people, the Indie Rock band, Minus the Bear has been producing music for the past 15 years ranging from a musical repertoire known for their clear beautiful vocals, guitar samples, synths, groovy…
Reassessing Religion through ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
An excellent piece from Red Letter Christians. “Yet, in the fog of Margaret Atwood’s story, I realized that I was being sexualized, just in a different way. I walked to my dorm, Houghton Hall. As a resident, I was called a ‘Houghton Heifer.’ I always thought that the name was put on us because of…
Thor, the Problem of Evil, and Theodicy
By Armond Boudreaux Thor has been a mainstay of the Marvel comics universe since his creation by Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber, and Stan Lee in 1962. Even though he’s primarily known as a superhero, Marvel has never shied away from his status as a deity. In fully embracing his status as the God of Thunder,…
When Chance Took Us to Church: The Problem With (White) Liberal Neutrality
A complement to the piece on Monday from And Philosophy. “Chance has given us a ‘chance’ to reflect upon unquestioned secularity of mainstream culture. Rather than rejecting religion outright in a zero-sum contest between the secular and the religious, maybe we can acknowledge, appreciate, and reflect on the religious resources of liberation that have meant…
Bold, Joyful Black Faith: Chance the Rapper, James Cone, and How to Have Faith in a Secular Age
By Jack Holloway As a theology student, I often struggle with how to explain theological and biblical concepts to my friends who aren’t accustomed to care about such things. When people ask me “Why do you believe in God?” or “Why are you a Christian?” or even “What are you studying?” I am often at…
Children, Death, and the Journey: Luke 9:37-48 in Conversation with Logan
By Kyle Sears [WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!] In Logan, Hugh Jackman ends a seventeen year run as Wolverine, a mutant with advanced healing ability and member of the X-Men. With a skeleton protected by adamantium – and retractable claws to match – Wolverine ruthlessly channeled his rage by fighting against people who threatened the security of…
