For some reason I got a free subscription to Wired Magazine. I rarely really read it, but this last issue's cover story on the The New Rules: A Highly Scientific Approach to 21st-Century Predicaments caught my attention (not the picture of Brad Pitt). It was a fun read.
For those of you that missed Anne Rice's book Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, you can see the movie in 2009. Now I can't exactly recommend the movie, since there is no talent connected and the rights are owned by Good News Holdings, backed by Christian church researcher and author George Barna. Who knows whether this will actually be a quality film, or just another cheesy Christian film. We'll see.
I did actually read the book a couple years back. It is a very interesting read from inside the head of seven year old Jesus. The historical setting, daily life, and political climate are extremely accurate to the time of Jesus. This alone illuminates some of Jesus' teaching in the gospels. Rice forms here fictional story of Jesus on the rejected gnostic gospels, and she clings to Catholic traditions like the continued virginity of Mary. If you are looking for a fictional read that will spark some good conversation about Jesus and give you insight into 1st century Israel, pick it up.
Turns out I may not have been completely honest about my TV addiction. The truth is there is another show which I watch almost religiously. The Soup (formerly Talk Soup).
Now, I initially began watching this 30-minute weekly entertainment show because it was good research for pop culture and entertainment news, and was remotely humorous. I enjoy staying on top of these things since it helps me understand the influences of pop culture on the students I work with, and makes for humorous references during teachings at our weekly gathering. I must warn you, since it often has some questionable content. But I have to confess it's grown on me.
Joel McHale's personality, humor, and near apathy for his job have endeared me to the show. While I do watch to stay on top of current events, I have become more interested in Joel's journey as he has gained some success and notoriety and has appeared on Iron Chef America and Thank God You're Here. The guy is sort of a sad character (real person) and I am rooting for him!
It's time for me to express my commitment and love for PTI. This daily TV show is really the only TV I feel I am addicted to. The rest of TV I can leave behind, but don't take away Tony and Mike!
ESPN's Pardon the Interruption gives you an overview of sports stories. Tony Kornhesier (Wikipedia/Washington Post) and Mike Wilbon (Wikipedia/Washington Post) give their commentary on the events, the culture, and the implications of sports news. It is far more insightful than you might think, though sometimes it does stoop to the glitz and glam of entertainment news.
Rebecca, my wife, says that Tony and Mike just yell at each other. I say you can turn down the TV if you think they are yelling.
After awhile of waiting I finally got a chance to see Jesus Camp. It is a documentary about Pentecostal Christians and how they raise their kids. With no narration (other than sound bytes from current events, radio preachers, etc) it is quite an interesting look at the lives of three kids and their Children's Pastor.
While most of what makes Jesus Camp scary to many is the charismatic expressions of faith (tongues, prophecy, & spiritual warfare), the underlying question is how militant and indoctrinated are these kids and their leaders/parents?
The directors certainly care for their characters, and seem to lead the viewer to believe that they are to be pitied because of their upbringing.
I'm not sure what I think about these people. They clearly are devoted to their beliefs, and reflect the urgency of people who believe the truth will clear others from a very intense hell.
I see the dangers of indoctrination.
I know the compelling message of the Scriptures.
I acknowledge that the spiritual realm is real, and foreign to most Americans.
I believe their use of the "miraculous" spiritual gifts reflects a lack of order that would turn away unbelievers (which Paul is against in 1 Corinthians).
I was haunted by the scenes with Ted Haggard since the film was released prior to his scandal.
I found myself strangely relating to these kids and their leaders. Though I do not share their rhetoric, or commitment to a Christian State . . . we fundamentally (ha ha) agree on the truth and the importance of partnering with God to reveal it to others.
A movie I will continue to wrestle with and reflect upon as it relates to raising my kids and understanding my religious upbringing.
So I have found myself pretty much addicted to 24 for quite sometime. I really have only faithfully watched the last three seasons, and saw the end of the first season. There are times I hate myself for having to know what happens to Jack and his world. This season, and last, I am frustrated by the continual unprofessionalism and incompetence that surrounds Jack. I find myself wanting to fast forward my Tivo through the other scenes just to see how Jack responds, but I have found this takes away too much of the story. There still certainly remains the questions about who will they kill next, who is really a mole at CTU, and which storyline are they completely wasting my time with. Even with these seemingly predictable elements, I can't stop watching.
