Reclaiming The F Word

LOL

Now this is what I'm talking about. 

My post on The Audacity To Laugh was featured on the Faithful Democrats website earlier this week. Readers commented that I was maybe making a mistake by not taking the McCain campaign's underhanded, malicious, and all out nasty tactics seriously enough. One of the other writers at FD spelled out the evidence that McCain really IS trying to paint Obama as the Anti-Christ in scary detail. I responded that, even if that's true and the McCain campaign is serious, it just won't help to turn all self-righteous. Nobody likes a prude.

Well, it turns out that, by refusing to get his boxers in a bunch, Obama has allowed McCain's junior high-school advertising campaign to backfire.

Continue reading "LOL" »

So how do you explain "The One" ad the McCain campaign is running in which they make fun of Obama for being a pretend messiah? (Well, that's the best way to put it. At worst they accuse him of being a false messiah i.e., the anti-Christ. But I don't believe there's enough theological sophistication or biblical knowledge at work in that campaign to even be aware of this possible interpretation.)

Here's how I think it went down: An old, battle-scared, desperate staff let a group of emo college kids, wracked by cynicism and high on Red Bull, have the production studio for a night. 

And, if the truth be told, what emerged is a pretty funny - in a David Letterman kind of way - shtick. The honorable Mr. Heston as Moses parting the Red Sea?!? I laughed out loud, a snorting i'm-glad-i-wasn't-drinking-milk-out-of-a-carton-in-my-junior-high-school-cafeteria kind of laugh. 

Continue reading "The Audacity To Laugh" »

Posted at 11:18 PM in Politics, Religion, Television | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: mccain attack ads, obama and brittany, obama as moses

It won't surprise those of you who are familiar with First Things to know: I'm not exactly a big fan. But Thomas Hibbs' recent review of The Dark Knight, posted on that website, is worth a read. His analysis of what makes this a postmodern film - with premodern leanings - is especially interesting. Here's a very short excerpt:

If in certain prominent instances in this film, the hopes of the audience for these [three key] characters are dashed, the film does not succumb to The Joker’s vision. It is not nihilistic; it is instead about the lingering and seemingly ineradicable longing for justice and goodness that pervades the film. As Batman put it in the original film, “Gotham is not beyond redemption.”

I saw this film on opening day and am headed to the IMAX theater on Navy Pier to see it again this week. If you haven't gone yet, go. 

First of all, it's just a darn good movie. In other words, it makes you forget you're watching a movie. You're actually living the story, which in this case is pretty freakin' intense.

But it's also about as meaty, from a theological point of view, as any film I've ever seen. It'll give you stuff to talk about for weeks. What is human nature? Where does evil come from? What it the purpose of life? IS there a purpose? 

I know a lot of people who are nervous to go see it because it looks violent and scary --- or think it'll be dumb because it's a "comic book" movie. I feel sorry for the last group because, well, comic books are cool. But I get where the first group is coming from. It is violent and it is scary.

Go anyway. Just take a pair of eschatological lens with you. Good wins in the end --- but it is a fragile victory.

Let me know what you think of it.

Even as Anglicans gathered in Lambeth these days try to bury issues that embarrass and divide them, Roman Catholics seem intent on digging them up. 

Approaching the final phase of declaring Cardinal John Henry Newman a saint, the Vatican has ordered his remains removed from the grave he shares with his long time, live-in, best "friend," Father Ambrose St John, and reinterred in a less --- umm --- unorthodox location.  

According to Jonathan Wynne-Jones, reporter for the UK paper, The Telegraph:

Continue reading "A Skeleton In The Closet?" »

Speaking of churches making the headlines: 

News reports today indicate the Tennessee church shooter targeted that congregation yesterday because of its liberal stance. Read the story here.

According to its website, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church "is a nonprofit organization and a community of people who meet to worship, learn, enjoy fellowship, and work together for social change."

The congregation has given sanctuary to political refugees, fed the homeless, supported equal rights for women & gays, founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and been on the front lines of the civil rights movement.

Two people died in the shooting.

According to police, the shooter, 58 year old Jim Adkisson, planned the shooting for a week. He fired his shotgun just 3 times into the crowded sanctuary before congregational members were able to tackle him to the ground but he brought 76 shells with him. This was going to be a blood bath.

Maybe most of our congregations stick to car washes and chicken dinners (see my earlier post) because actually following Jesus is so damn dangerous.

Headline: "Religion Briefs"

Source: The local newspaper from a nearby community

Biggest news: Chicken dinner, craft show, "gone fishin" Vacation Bible School

I'm not kidding. Those are the highlights - the biggest things happening in the churches in the southwest suburbs of Chicago these days - the only real "newsworthy" stuff.

Read the whole article yourself and then ask yourself how many Christians might be wondering why "I Became A Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."

In fact, that's the title of a book by a guy named Vince Antonucci that might be worth a read. Here's an excerpt: 

Continue reading "Just Wondering" »

Most of the people I know think the economy is in the crapper. We've got a war that won't end, a social safety net with holes in it bigger than elephants (ironic allusion intended), banks on the brink, polar ice caps turning to slush...but what we're apparently really worried about is...what does Barack Obama think about HELL.

Continue reading "What In Hell?" »

I'm a little behind in my blog reading and so I almost missed the interesting conversation sparked by The Lutheran Zephyr a week or so ago. He preached his first ever paperless sermon - after an excruciating preparation process - and reported that: 

Like lots of others today, I'm troubled by the trouble city newspapers are in. Here in Chicago, the Tribune has just announced deep staff cuts - including way too many among reporters - and yet another turnover at the top. The Sun-Times has been going through similar turmoil for some time. I get two papers delivered and read another half a dozen or more online every day. On her way out, Trib editor Anne Marie Lipinski said, "Your newspaper is both a joy and a powerful engine for good."

I don't think we realize what we stand to lose.

Continue reading "Newsworthy" »

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »

The Audacity To Laugh

So how do you explain "The One" ad the McCain campaign is running in which they make fun of Obama for being a pretend messiah? (Well, that's the best way to put it. At worst they accuse him of being a false messiah i.e., the anti-Christ. But I don't believe there's enough theological sophistication or biblical knowledge at work in that campaign to even be aware of this possible interpretation.)

Here's how I think it went down: An old, battle-scared, desperate staff let a group of emo college kids, wracked by cynicism and high on Red Bull, have the production studio for a night. 

And, if the truth be told, what emerged is a pretty funny - in a David Letterman kind of way - shtick. The honorable Mr. Heston as Moses parting the Red Sea?!? I laughed out loud, a snorting i'm-glad-i-wasn't-drinking-milk-out-of-a-carton-in-my-junior-high-school-cafeteria kind of laugh. 

Continue reading "The Audacity To Laugh" »

Posted at 11:18 PM in Politics, Religion, Television | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Technorati Tags: mccain attack ads, obama and brittany, obama as moses

It won't surprise those of you who are familiar with First Things to know: I'm not exactly a big fan. But Thomas Hibbs' recent review of The Dark Knight, posted on that website, is worth a read. His analysis of what makes this a postmodern film - with premodern leanings - is especially interesting. Here's a very short excerpt:

If in certain prominent instances in this film, the hopes of the audience for these [three key] characters are dashed, the film does not succumb to The Joker’s vision. It is not nihilistic; it is instead about the lingering and seemingly ineradicable longing for justice and goodness that pervades the film. As Batman put it in the original film, “Gotham is not beyond redemption.”

I saw this film on opening day and am headed to the IMAX theater on Navy Pier to see it again this week. If you haven't gone yet, go. 

First of all, it's just a darn good movie. In other words, it makes you forget you're watching a movie. You're actually living the story, which in this case is pretty freakin' intense.

But it's also about as meaty, from a theological point of view, as any film I've ever seen. It'll give you stuff to talk about for weeks. What is human nature? Where does evil come from? What it the purpose of life? IS there a purpose? 

I know a lot of people who are nervous to go see it because it looks violent and scary --- or think it'll be dumb because it's a "comic book" movie. I feel sorry for the last group because, well, comic books are cool. But I get where the first group is coming from. It is violent and it is scary.

Go anyway. Just take a pair of eschatological lens with you. Good wins in the end --- but it is a fragile victory.

Let me know what you think of it.

Even as Anglicans gathered in Lambeth these days try to bury issues that embarrass and divide them, Roman Catholics seem intent on digging them up. 

Approaching the final phase of declaring Cardinal John Henry Newman a saint, the Vatican has ordered his remains removed from the grave he shares with his long time, live-in, best "friend," Father Ambrose St John, and reinterred in a less --- umm --- unorthodox location.  

According to Jonathan Wynne-Jones, reporter for the UK paper, The Telegraph:

Continue reading "A Skeleton In The Closet?" »

Speaking of churches making the headlines: 

News reports today indicate the Tennessee church shooter targeted that congregation yesterday because of its liberal stance. Read the story here.

According to its website, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church "is a nonprofit organization and a community of people who meet to worship, learn, enjoy fellowship, and work together for social change."

The congregation has given sanctuary to political refugees, fed the homeless, supported equal rights for women & gays, founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and been on the front lines of the civil rights movement.

Two people died in the shooting.

According to police, the shooter, 58 year old Jim Adkisson, planned the shooting for a week. He fired his shotgun just 3 times into the crowded sanctuary before congregational members were able to tackle him to the ground but he brought 76 shells with him. This was going to be a blood bath.

Maybe most of our congregations stick to car washes and chicken dinners (see my earlier post) because actually following Jesus is so damn dangerous.

Headline: "Religion Briefs"

Source: The local newspaper from a nearby community

Biggest news: Chicken dinner, craft show, "gone fishin" Vacation Bible School

I'm not kidding. Those are the highlights - the biggest things happening in the churches in the southwest suburbs of Chicago these days - the only real "newsworthy" stuff.

Read the whole article yourself and then ask yourself how many Christians might be wondering why "I Became A Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."

In fact, that's the title of a book by a guy named Vince Antonucci that might be worth a read. Here's an excerpt: 

Continue reading "Just Wondering" »

Most of the people I know think the economy is in the crapper. We've got a war that won't end, a social safety net with holes in it bigger than elephants (ironic allusion intended), banks on the brink, polar ice caps turning to slush...but what we're apparently really worried about is...what does Barack Obama think about HELL.

Continue reading "What In Hell?" »

I'm a little behind in my blog reading and so I almost missed the interesting conversation sparked by The Lutheran Zephyr a week or so ago. He preached his first ever paperless sermon - after an excruciating preparation process - and reported that: 

Like lots of others today, I'm troubled by the trouble city newspapers are in. Here in Chicago, the Tribune has just announced deep staff cuts - including way too many among reporters - and yet another turnover at the top. The Sun-Times has been going through similar turmoil for some time. I get two papers delivered and read another half a dozen or more online every day. On her way out, Trib editor Anne Marie Lipinski said, "Your newspaper is both a joy and a powerful engine for good."

I don't think we realize what we stand to lose.

Continue reading "Newsworthy" »

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »

A Fragile Victory

It won't surprise those of you who are familiar with First Things to know: I'm not exactly a big fan. But Thomas Hibbs' recent review of The Dark Knight, posted on that website, is worth a read. His analysis of what makes this a postmodern film - with premodern leanings - is especially interesting. Here's a very short excerpt:

If in certain prominent instances in this film, the hopes of the audience for these [three key] characters are dashed, the film does not succumb to The Joker’s vision. It is not nihilistic; it is instead about the lingering and seemingly ineradicable longing for justice and goodness that pervades the film. As Batman put it in the original film, “Gotham is not beyond redemption.”

I saw this film on opening day and am headed to the IMAX theater on Navy Pier to see it again this week. If you haven't gone yet, go. 

First of all, it's just a darn good movie. In other words, it makes you forget you're watching a movie. You're actually living the story, which in this case is pretty freakin' intense.

But it's also about as meaty, from a theological point of view, as any film I've ever seen. It'll give you stuff to talk about for weeks. What is human nature? Where does evil come from? What it the purpose of life? IS there a purpose? 

I know a lot of people who are nervous to go see it because it looks violent and scary --- or think it'll be dumb because it's a "comic book" movie. I feel sorry for the last group because, well, comic books are cool. But I get where the first group is coming from. It is violent and it is scary.

Go anyway. Just take a pair of eschatological lens with you. Good wins in the end --- but it is a fragile victory.

Let me know what you think of it.

A Skeleton In The Closet?

Even as Anglicans gathered in Lambeth these days try to bury issues that embarrass and divide them, Roman Catholics seem intent on digging them up. 

Approaching the final phase of declaring Cardinal John Henry Newman a saint, the Vatican has ordered his remains removed from the grave he shares with his long time, live-in, best "friend," Father Ambrose St John, and reinterred in a less --- umm --- unorthodox location.  

According to Jonathan Wynne-Jones, reporter for the UK paper, The Telegraph:

Continue reading "A Skeleton In The Closet?" »

Speaking of churches making the headlines: 

News reports today indicate the Tennessee church shooter targeted that congregation yesterday because of its liberal stance. Read the story here.

According to its website, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church "is a nonprofit organization and a community of people who meet to worship, learn, enjoy fellowship, and work together for social change."

The congregation has given sanctuary to political refugees, fed the homeless, supported equal rights for women & gays, founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and been on the front lines of the civil rights movement.

Two people died in the shooting.

According to police, the shooter, 58 year old Jim Adkisson, planned the shooting for a week. He fired his shotgun just 3 times into the crowded sanctuary before congregational members were able to tackle him to the ground but he brought 76 shells with him. This was going to be a blood bath.

Maybe most of our congregations stick to car washes and chicken dinners (see my earlier post) because actually following Jesus is so damn dangerous.

Headline: "Religion Briefs"

Source: The local newspaper from a nearby community

Biggest news: Chicken dinner, craft show, "gone fishin" Vacation Bible School

I'm not kidding. Those are the highlights - the biggest things happening in the churches in the southwest suburbs of Chicago these days - the only real "newsworthy" stuff.

Read the whole article yourself and then ask yourself how many Christians might be wondering why "I Became A Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."

In fact, that's the title of a book by a guy named Vince Antonucci that might be worth a read. Here's an excerpt: 

Continue reading "Just Wondering" »

Most of the people I know think the economy is in the crapper. We've got a war that won't end, a social safety net with holes in it bigger than elephants (ironic allusion intended), banks on the brink, polar ice caps turning to slush...but what we're apparently really worried about is...what does Barack Obama think about HELL.

Continue reading "What In Hell?" »

I'm a little behind in my blog reading and so I almost missed the interesting conversation sparked by The Lutheran Zephyr a week or so ago. He preached his first ever paperless sermon - after an excruciating preparation process - and reported that: 

Like lots of others today, I'm troubled by the trouble city newspapers are in. Here in Chicago, the Tribune has just announced deep staff cuts - including way too many among reporters - and yet another turnover at the top. The Sun-Times has been going through similar turmoil for some time. I get two papers delivered and read another half a dozen or more online every day. On her way out, Trib editor Anne Marie Lipinski said, "Your newspaper is both a joy and a powerful engine for good."

I don't think we realize what we stand to lose.

Continue reading "Newsworthy" »

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »

Making Headlines

Speaking of churches making the headlines: 

News reports today indicate the Tennessee church shooter targeted that congregation yesterday because of its liberal stance. Read the story here.

According to its website, the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church "is a nonprofit organization and a community of people who meet to worship, learn, enjoy fellowship, and work together for social change."

The congregation has given sanctuary to political refugees, fed the homeless, supported equal rights for women & gays, founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and been on the front lines of the civil rights movement.

Two people died in the shooting.

According to police, the shooter, 58 year old Jim Adkisson, planned the shooting for a week. He fired his shotgun just 3 times into the crowded sanctuary before congregational members were able to tackle him to the ground but he brought 76 shells with him. This was going to be a blood bath.

Maybe most of our congregations stick to car washes and chicken dinners (see my earlier post) because actually following Jesus is so damn dangerous.

Just Wondering

Headline: "Religion Briefs"

Source: The local newspaper from a nearby community

Biggest news: Chicken dinner, craft show, "gone fishin" Vacation Bible School

I'm not kidding. Those are the highlights - the biggest things happening in the churches in the southwest suburbs of Chicago these days - the only real "newsworthy" stuff.

Read the whole article yourself and then ask yourself how many Christians might be wondering why "I Became A Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt."

In fact, that's the title of a book by a guy named Vince Antonucci that might be worth a read. Here's an excerpt: 

Continue reading "Just Wondering" »

Most of the people I know think the economy is in the crapper. We've got a war that won't end, a social safety net with holes in it bigger than elephants (ironic allusion intended), banks on the brink, polar ice caps turning to slush...but what we're apparently really worried about is...what does Barack Obama think about HELL.

Continue reading "What In Hell?" »

I'm a little behind in my blog reading and so I almost missed the interesting conversation sparked by The Lutheran Zephyr a week or so ago. He preached his first ever paperless sermon - after an excruciating preparation process - and reported that: 

Like lots of others today, I'm troubled by the trouble city newspapers are in. Here in Chicago, the Tribune has just announced deep staff cuts - including way too many among reporters - and yet another turnover at the top. The Sun-Times has been going through similar turmoil for some time. I get two papers delivered and read another half a dozen or more online every day. On her way out, Trib editor Anne Marie Lipinski said, "Your newspaper is both a joy and a powerful engine for good."

I don't think we realize what we stand to lose.

Continue reading "Newsworthy" »

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »

What In Hell?

Most of the people I know think the economy is in the crapper. We've got a war that won't end, a social safety net with holes in it bigger than elephants (ironic allusion intended), banks on the brink, polar ice caps turning to slush...but what we're apparently really worried about is...what does Barack Obama think about HELL.

Continue reading "What In Hell?" »

I'm a little behind in my blog reading and so I almost missed the interesting conversation sparked by The Lutheran Zephyr a week or so ago. He preached his first ever paperless sermon - after an excruciating preparation process - and reported that: 

Like lots of others today, I'm troubled by the trouble city newspapers are in. Here in Chicago, the Tribune has just announced deep staff cuts - including way too many among reporters - and yet another turnover at the top. The Sun-Times has been going through similar turmoil for some time. I get two papers delivered and read another half a dozen or more online every day. On her way out, Trib editor Anne Marie Lipinski said, "Your newspaper is both a joy and a powerful engine for good."

I don't think we realize what we stand to lose.

Continue reading "Newsworthy" »

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »

Ditch That Sermon

I'm a little behind in my blog reading and so I almost missed the interesting conversation sparked by The Lutheran Zephyr a week or so ago. He preached his first ever paperless sermon - after an excruciating preparation process - and reported that: 

Newsworthy

Like lots of others today, I'm troubled by the trouble city newspapers are in. Here in Chicago, the Tribune has just announced deep staff cuts - including way too many among reporters - and yet another turnover at the top. The Sun-Times has been going through similar turmoil for some time. I get two papers delivered and read another half a dozen or more online every day. On her way out, Trib editor Anne Marie Lipinski said, "Your newspaper is both a joy and a powerful engine for good."

I don't think we realize what we stand to lose.

Continue reading "Newsworthy" »

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »

Do What You Can With What You Got

Category: Evangelism. 

So what's the weirdest thing you've ever done? 

In an effort to connect with his neighbors, Stuart Dornfeld, pastor of 134-year old Emanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, WI built a church. Out of Legos. 12,000 of them, to be (more or less) exact.

Continue reading "Do What You Can With What You Got" »