It seems to me that when it comes to controversial topics like gun control, we tend to believe the other side is good at feeling their way through the issue but not so good at thinking their way through it. Meanwhile, we think we’re masters at dispassionate analysis, which is why we’re able to see things so clearly. Once we’ve discounted ignorance, stupidity, or insanity (thank you, Richard Dawkins), the only possible reason why anyone would disagree with us is because they’re too... Read more
This is a video by former CIA officer Amaryllis Fox. One of the key takeaways: “The only real way to disarm your enemy is to listen to them. Read more
The other day I was approached by someone from Grace Hill Media, one of many marketing companies that help spin films toward faith-based audiences, to see if I was interested in partnering with them to help promote upcoming films on my blog. I said sure, mostly because they offered some free perks, like press screenings, giveaways, access to filmmakers and stars for interviews, etc. Well, today I got my first “perk.” It’s for the Conjuring 2. Take a look. That’s right,... Read more
Maybe you don’t love the Walking Dead, but millions of people do. The question is, why? I’ve just had a new piece published on this topic by CWR magazine. I get into why we love zombies as well as why we’re drawn continually to the post-apocalyptic settings in which such stories take place You can read the article for free here. BTW, I just stumbled across this piece on the Walking Dead that I wrote for the Huffington Post a... Read more
It’s a “making of” film about a new album called Songs for Justice. Produced in collaboration with International Justice Mission, the album was recorded in a weekend at Castle Röhrsdorf Studio in Dresden, Germany, which just happens to be owned by my friend Dave Krysko, executive producer of Hellbound? The album features nine international singer-songwriters, including Brian Doerksen, Sarah Brendel, David Ruis, Lothar Kosse, Judy Bailey, Norm Strauss, Stephanie Heinen, Bene Muller and Noel and Tricia Richards, among others. You can... Read more
Like many people in the progressive/emergent Christian community, I’ve been following the Tony Jones/Julie McMahon controversy for a few weeks now. As I’ve waded through the numerous statements, counter-statements and analysis of the same, I’ve found my opinion of the case flip-flopping several times. It’s to the point where the more I learn about this situation, the less certain I am about any of the details. The broader issue for me though is how this is playing out. I feel like we... Read more
In a recent article on terrorism, Elizabeth Plank posted the following tweet from CNN/Daily Beast commentator Sally Kohn that almost nails our unhelpful propensity to caricature entire groups based on the actions of a vocal or violent few. I say “almost,” because Kohn is arguing that when it comes to Caucasians, the rules change. I disagree. Think of the Ferguson situation. People were extremely quick to formulate the following equation: White police shooter = all white cops racist. Speaking from personal experience, people... Read more
I realize I take some swipes at various people and groups on this blog from time to time. In my defence, although I can come across as critical, that’s probably because I’m an idealist at heart, and anything less than perfection seems like a crime to me (which is probably why I enjoy book and film editing so much; it’s a chance to make things “perfect”). And to be completely honest, I’m probably harder on myself than I am on others,... Read more
Writer Samuel Johnson once said that “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” To be fair, he wasn’t criticizing love of one’s country, he was criticizing so-called “false patriotism,” which was really a cloak for self-interest. By calling a selfish or aggressive act “patriotic,” it somehow becomes heroic. It’s an appeal to emotions in order to distract people from the facts and to stifle dissent–for fear of being labeled a traitor. How this differs from “true patriotism,” I’m not really... Read more
Hellbound
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In