I was deeply moved by Glee’s “faith” episode (“Grilled Cheesus” 10/8/2010). It was honest, awesome television, and the highest rated Glee episode of all time.
Glee Faith Episode ‘Grilled Cheesus’ Explores Two Approaches to ‘Christian’ Faith
You Shall Not Pass! The Supernatural Power of Two-Handed Warfare
Expertise in faith and culture rarely go hand-in-hand. Leaders adept at culture making—whether in Hollywood or the Ivy League—are rarely trained in the disciplines of faith building; whereas leaders with strengths in faith building—whether in a local congregation or an international relief agency—are rarely trained in the art of culture making.
The Secret Knowledge of Prime Time Propaganda: A Christian Response to Pulitzer Prize Winner David Mamet and Journalist Ben Shapiro’s Warnings Against Hollywood’s Left-Leaning Culture
New books by Pulitzer Prize Winner David Mamet and Journalist Ben Shapiro’s are sure to shape industry conversation on faith and culture …for good or for ill.
Cheating God? Students who believe in a forgiving deity more prone to academic dishonesty
The down side of grace? Tell Your Students That if They Cheat, God Will Smite Them by Don Troop in The Chronicle of Higher Education Is God: A) punitive, angry, and vengeful? B) warm, loving, and forgiving? OK, folks, pencils down.…
Podcast: Dave Schmelzer and Gary David Stratton on Faith, Culture, Hollywood and Ivy League
On April 7, author, and playwright-turned-pastor Dave Schmelzer interviewed me for a podcast posted 4/19 on his website: Not The Religious Type, on the Blue Ocean platform. It was a great experience, and I really want you to listen to…
Bono Interview: Grace over Karma, by Michka Assayas
“Religion can be the enemy of God. It’s often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building.” – Bono
Sony Edits Bible Out of Screening of Faith-Based Film ‘Soul Surfer’, by Paul Bond
Soul Surfer illuminates Hollywood’s increasingly awkward dance with the faith-based community. After years of neglecting religious audiences, studios now know that appealing to the Christian-values set while also bringing in more secular crowds can lead to an across-the-board blockbuster like Blind Side ($256 million).
Muslim Brotherhood and Secular Reformers Join Forces to Support ElBaradei
Culture-making and faith connections in Egypt’s turmoil became clearer as Muslim extremists joined secular reform movement leaders in supporting Mohamed ElBaradei as spokesman for opposition to president Hosni Mubarak.
Michael Warren, Legendary TV Writer and Producer, Shares His Greatest Influences
Michael Warren, prolific TV Producer and Writer for shows such as Happy Days, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, and Step by Step shares his 15 greatest cultural influencers.
Top Posts of the Year: Paparazzi in the Hands of an Angry God
Responses to THW’s #2 Blog Post of the Year–Paparazzi in the Hands of an Angry God–revealed the depth of angst out there balance the desire to maximize the potentialities of the electronic age without being drawn into the “dark side” of self-promotion.
The Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais’ Atheism and Sentimental Hogwash: It’s a Wonderful Life, Part 1
Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais’s Atheism joke and recent essay in the Wall Street Journal “Why I’m An Atheist,” provide a great background for examining an all-time great Christmas movie and one of the best defenses of Theism in Hollywood history–It’s a Wonderful Life.
The Paradox of Power: A Cure for the Cancer of Pseudo Celebrity?
True leaders, those who people follow because they want to not because they have to, always begin with and return to the needs of their followers.