Raised in a culture dominated by Hollywood storytelling—from Disney to Tarantino—my students often know Hollywood’s stories better than they know their own.
Hollywood and Higher Education: Worldview and the Stories We Live By
Casablanca and the Four Levels of Worldview: Why Everyone Meets at Rick’s
By changing the foundational story of Rick’s life from that of a “self-centered love-betrayed” to the story of a “other-centered love renewed” Ilsa transforms Rick’s values and rule of life as well.
Fiddler on the Roof: Worldview Change and the Foundational Power of Story
Like Tevye, the stories of Scripture provide not only fertile soil for nurturing reinterpretations of our philosophy and culture for a new generation, but also irresistible bedrock for grounding the story of our own life in the mind of God.
Crash Goes the Worldview: Why Character Transformation Requires Changing Scripts
If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then we are constantly flattering the individuals and communities who have transmitted their “scripts” to us. But how do we change our story if we’re a character in somebody else’s play?
Unity and Racial Reconciliation in Bizarro World, by Efrem Smith and Gary David Stratton
Efrem Smith and Gary David Stratton provided black and white perspectives on Unity and Reconciliation in the body of Christ in Johnson University’s kickoff to Black History Month.
Inigo Montoya named ‘Chief Inspirator’ by Two Handed Warriors
“Our hope is that this award not only inspires a new generation of culture-makers and faith builders to seek to master two-handed warfare, but also brings Iñigo the peace he’s sought since leaving the revenge business.” -Gary David Stratton
Dean Batali, ‘That 70s Show’ Writer and Producer, Shares His Greatest Cultural Influencers
One of today’s most articulate voices for faithful engagement in culture, Dean Batali, is best known for his work on That ‘70s Show, where he served as a writer for seven years and as an executive producer for the show’s final season.
All-Time Top Films for Deep Culture Impact
Tonight the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will award the 2015 Best Picture, yet the academy missed most of these “Deep Culture” Impact films. Will this year’s winner one day join this august company?
Blogging in the Midst of Controversy, by Adrian Warnock
Is my blog free from envy, or am I secretly wishing I was as popular as the person I am condemning?
The Greco-Roman Liberal Arts: Education with Friendship and Heart, by Gary David Stratton, PhD
Whereas Plato and Aristotle called their students friends, today’s students are often little more than numbers. The liberal arts vision of generating a steady stream of truth-seeking leaders to flood our culture with virtue has clearly fallen on hard times.
Paparazzi in the Hands of an Angry God: The Great Awakening and the Birth of American Celebrity Culture
Think the fiery Puritan who preached America’s most famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of Angry God,” would threaten to dangle celebrities over the pit of hell? Think again.