Your weekly installment of things we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web.
Articles of the Week
12 Questions to Ask When Watching a Film, Justin Taylor (with John Frame). Movies (and television) may be entertainment, but there’s much more at stake. Directors aren’t just trying to amuse you for a couple hours or put dollars in their pockets (okay, maybe some are). They’re trying to tell you something. But what? John Frame offers 12 questions to put you well on your way to being an informed film-goer. Don’t check your brain at the box office.
President Obama, Historian and Theologian, Ross Douthat, NY Times. There were a number of statements that our nation’s leader made at the National Prayer Breakfast a couple weeks ago, many of which got under the skin of conservative Christians. This is more than the usual belly-aching, as Douthat points out. Obama practiced the old art of using “self-criticism” to actually point his finger at his opponents. He’s not the only one to do that, of course. But it’s a helpful lesson for us: if you’re going to criticize yourself, have the courage to criticize something you actually stand for.
23 Things That Love Is, Paul Tripp. For those of you who are somehow unaware (perhaps you live in another country?), tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Despise the commercialism if you will. Roll your eyes at the way a martyred saint has somehow turned into a chubby angel of puppy love. But don’t miss that this is a holiday dedicated to the idea of love. And in our society, we have a hard time knowing exactly what love is. Paul Tripp offers 23 helpful correctives.
Americans Aren’t Pleased with Our Abortion Laws, Gallup Poll. They’ve only been running this poll since 2001, but the percentage of people who are “satisfied” with our current national policies regarding abortion is lower than ever. The law of the land, in this case, is meeting increasing resistance from a cultural groundswell against abortion. Let’s hope that resistance continues.
A Word to Minority Leaders in Majority Contexts, Bryan Loritts. “I walked into multi-ethnic ministry the way Jonah walked into Nineveh, and that’s not a good thing. After a few sleepless nights in less than five star accommodations, Jonah made his entrance into Nineveh angry. His unrighteous indignation is understandable. As a Jew he’s a part of a people who were being oppressed, and in a gracious twist of irony, God uses Jonah to usher in revival among his oppressors. Seething over their salvation, the book of Jonah crash-lands, as the prophets anger has metastasized into bitterness. … Yep, it’s hard for minorities to minister in majority culture contexts, especially when that majority represents their historical oppressors.”
On The Lighter Side
“Metal Alphabet.” I’m quite glad I (Chris) stumbled across this now, before my daughter learns her alphabet. Now I know how I’m going to keep it interesting.
