Film in review: “True Grit”
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a good, authentic-looking Western on the big screen. Who cares if it’s a remake? It’s still a good campfire yarn.
More Stories from this Author
“THAT’S FOR SURE”
“Covenant Network Convocation Dinner
General Assembly - Minneapolis
July 2, 2010
They call it “coming out” – the process of discovering and accepting who you are, and then sharing that identity with other people.
In Oppostion to Amendment 10-A: CONTINUING MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF G-6.0106B
In the last several years I have continued to be disturbed by the
misunderstandings of the controversial standard in our constitution:
misunderstandings of the controversial standard in our constitution:
G-6.0106b, concerning fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness.
At the manger bed
The church was beautifully adorned with poinsettias and greens, and the Advent wreath was fully lighted, including the candle in the center, which stands for Jesus.
’Tis the season to ask
In all due respect to John Buchanan, my Presbyterian ministerial and editorial-writing colleague serving in the Windy City, when I hear the name Ernie Banks, I don’t immediately think of the shortstop and first baseman known as “Mr. Cub.” Sure, that Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Faith lessons from recent election
The November 2 mid-term elections offer many lessons. Both major parties will be sifting the results.
South of Broad
South of Broad: by Pat Conroy Nan A. Talese Books, 2009. 528 pages
reviewed by Leslie A. Klingensmith
This is Pat Conroy’s first new novel since the mid-1990s, and it is phenomenal.
Lit: A Memoir
Lit: A Memoir
by Mary Karr Harper. San Francisco. November 2009. 400 pages
reviewed by J. Stephen Rhodes
"Age seventeen, stringy-haired and halter-topped, weighing in the high double digits and unhindered by a high school diploma, I showed up at the Pacific Ocean, ready to seek my fortune with a truck full of extremely stoned surfers.” So begins poet Mary Karr’s tale of her recovery from alcohol addiction and her conversion to faith.
Film in review: “Yogi Bear”
Those of you who can sing along with me the "Yogi Bear" theme song from the late 50s/early 60s cartoons need to know that this “Yogi Bear” is a re-make: new voice actors for all the characters, new type of animation, but, comfortingly, the old familiar story line. (Who said that music memory isn’t powerful?)
Film in review: “The Fighter”
"The Fighter” is a real-life story, of “Irish” Micky Ward, the pride of Lowell, Mass., rising to the world welterweight title. But it sure wasn’t an easy road.
Film in review: “The King’s Speech”
OK, first you have to enjoy that whole British royalty thing — regal, isolated, aloof, and treated with such tremendous deference by everyone around you that if you’re not careful you’re likely to start believing in — divine right or something.
Presbyterian theologian takes helm at Indian church council
BANGALORE (ENInews) — A Presbyterian theologian, the Rev. Roger Gaikwad, has been installed as the new general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India, which groups 30 Orthodox and Protestant churches.
Film in review: “I Love You, Phillip Morris”
Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor are among the elite actors in Hollywood: they’re proven veterans, and between them, they’ve done everything from comedy to drama to musicals.
Film in review: “The Tourist”
We first encounter Angelina Jolie through the lenses of the men watching her from a surveillance vehicle, complete with the latest high-tech equipment.
Film in review: “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”
A film based on the wondrous writings of C.S. Lewis is bound to be very satisfying for the believer, because Lewis himself was a Christian apologist, in the classic rhetorical sense, and he very much intended the heavy symbolism of his “Narnia” series to be understood as Christian.
Chastity, the Book of Order, and the Reformed faith
One of the abiding criticisms from opponents of the Fidelity/Chastity ordination standard in the Book of Order (G.6-0106.b) has been that the term “chastity” is unclear in meaning. Recently, Dr. Mark Achtemeier raised this same objection in his recent debate with the Rev. Mark Loudon, that the chastity language in the Book of Order is “confusing.”
Proposed Form of Government: Universalist creed?
During the plenary debate at the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis on the proposed new Form of Government, it was said that the first sentence of the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity introduces a Universalist creed into our Constitution.
Continuing the Reformation
John Calvin, to whom Presbyterian churches owe their primary inspiration, once said of his own work as a Protestant reformer: “Our constant endeavor, day and night, is not only to hand down the tradition faithfully, but also to put it in the form we think will prove best.”
Film in review: “Burlesque”
“Burlesque” is not so much a movie as an elongated musical video. It’s like the old-fashioned song-and-dance musicals, except this one boasts stage routines that are a lot more suggestive. It’s rated PG-13 — they were careful not to fall into the trap of actually revealing anything that would give it an “R” rating — but the racy material is definitely not for children.
Film in review: “Greenberg”
“Greenberg” is a very depressing film about two very depressed characters. But once you get into it, you find yourself caring about them, anyway, and hoping that somehow, some way, they would find a little happiness — and maybe even through each other.
Film in review: “It’s Kind Of A Funny Story”
It’s refreshing to see a lad play a troubled teen who actually is a teenager. Keir Gilchrist, a veteran television actor, plays Craig, who’s so depressed that he checks himself into a psychiatric unit.
Film in review: “Stone”
But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last times.
“Joyfully submit:” What’s the big deal?
The local folks happened to be the first to cast their votes, so I showed up to observe.
Amendment 10-A to G-6.0106b: Seeking the middle way
The 219th General Assembly has once again sent to the presbyteries for adoption a proposed amendment to G-6.0106b (“Amendment 10-A”), the controversial “fidelity and chastity” clause of our Book of Order.
Full use of the Internet world
As congregations diversify their ministries, they want to pay special attention to the many tools and opportunities available online. This means Facebook and Twitter, but far more than such social media tools. It means a solid Web site, but used in new ways.