This is exactly why I'm thanking God right now that I don't read TSK's blog any longer (a long story in itself)...
Sometimes, I despair.
Actually, make that "often".
HT: Urban Abbess
UPDATED: - and see comments. This is not a post about me choosing not to read Andrew's blog - I've commented on his post at his site and left a comment here. It's a post about the effect that Mark Driscoll's comments and opinions seem to have on my blood pressure...)
technorati tag: mark driscoll
Top 50 religious films...
Fat Roland prompted me to mention this here to those that might not have seen it: The Church Times’ 50 top religious films.
And no, The Passion of The Christ is not number one (but it does make it to 9 somehow). And how did The Sound of Music make it to 17?...
Of course, I’m going to argue that their premise is flawed (we’re all po-mo now, right?). Picking the “top religious” films creates a false divide between the scared and the secular. We’re not, after all, watching these movies in church – they’re being made (often in Hollywood) for cinema audiences. They acknowledge this – “A film might promote values that viewers would want to share passionately, but contain no explicit reference to faith or creed. Its plot might be read as an allegory that invites comparisons with religious themes, but only to some of its viewers.” For me, it’s not a good enough reading of the times – people do have spiritual experiences in the cinema and these top 50 films are largely not the ones that would provoke this reaction (think Matrix, think Truman Show).
Hardly any of their long list even touch the popular approach to the subject – Liar, Liar and Bruce Almighty might be two to mention here. Plus, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (breaking the “rules”) made it in because it’s “metaphorical nature was clear enough.” And yet, a film that is a metaphor for something else other than religious life/ values/ etc but has overtly religious content made it in as well (ref: The Crucible – McCarthyism/ religious persecution).
My other snarl would be towards this quote in particular: “…surprisingly for an era often categorised as greedy and secular, the 1980s produced 14 of our films.” But it’s common knowledge that Hollywood is a (cinematic) decade behind the times, isn’t it? This reflects the fact that writing, pitching, producing and marketing a film often takes about that long. Thus the releases of these “80s” flicks are a glance back to the 70s – the fall out from and reaction to the Vietnam war, the end of flower power, the rise of environmentalism, feminism and so on. It’s the films of the early 90s we should be wary of – hence only five making the list (all post-1994 – The Apostle, The Crucible, Priest, Afterlife, Prince of Egypt).
Nuff griping… you can see the list for yourself here.
technorati tag: church times, religious films
And no, The Passion of The Christ is not number one (but it does make it to 9 somehow). And how did The Sound of Music make it to 17?...
Of course, I’m going to argue that their premise is flawed (we’re all po-mo now, right?). Picking the “top religious” films creates a false divide between the scared and the secular. We’re not, after all, watching these movies in church – they’re being made (often in Hollywood) for cinema audiences. They acknowledge this – “A film might promote values that viewers would want to share passionately, but contain no explicit reference to faith or creed. Its plot might be read as an allegory that invites comparisons with religious themes, but only to some of its viewers.” For me, it’s not a good enough reading of the times – people do have spiritual experiences in the cinema and these top 50 films are largely not the ones that would provoke this reaction (think Matrix, think Truman Show).
Hardly any of their long list even touch the popular approach to the subject – Liar, Liar and Bruce Almighty might be two to mention here. Plus, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (breaking the “rules”) made it in because it’s “metaphorical nature was clear enough.” And yet, a film that is a metaphor for something else other than religious life/ values/ etc but has overtly religious content made it in as well (ref: The Crucible – McCarthyism/ religious persecution).
My other snarl would be towards this quote in particular: “…surprisingly for an era often categorised as greedy and secular, the 1980s produced 14 of our films.” But it’s common knowledge that Hollywood is a (cinematic) decade behind the times, isn’t it? This reflects the fact that writing, pitching, producing and marketing a film often takes about that long. Thus the releases of these “80s” flicks are a glance back to the 70s – the fall out from and reaction to the Vietnam war, the end of flower power, the rise of environmentalism, feminism and so on. It’s the films of the early 90s we should be wary of – hence only five making the list (all post-1994 – The Apostle, The Crucible, Priest, Afterlife, Prince of Egypt).
Nuff griping… you can see the list for yourself here.
technorati tag: church times, religious films
Breaking News: Northern Quarter Fire
This link provides news and pictures of the fires, which started on Dale Street early this morning.
Major disruption to traffic.
25 fire tenders in attendance.
The site is just around the corner from Nexus.
Major disruption to traffic.
25 fire tenders in attendance.
The site is just around the corner from Nexus.
reel spirituality - "15 minutes" (this sunday)
15 Minutes (18)
The final in our Heroes and Villains series (and the last in this run of films…)
The final in our Heroes and Villains series (and the last in this run of films…)
This Sunday, 6th May
Doors: 6.30pm Film starts: 7pm prompt
VENUE CHANGE ** please note that we've moved venues (email for location details) **
If you want to explore the film's themes and issues: Post-film discussion: 9.15pm onwards Evening ends: no later than 10pm
Feel free to bring your own food, drinks and snacks.
last chance to be the change...
We're into the last few days of booking for Be The Change and if you've not already registered but want to, please get in touch ASAP.
I saw Manchester, the holy city...
We're in the middle of a series on "Cities and Gardens" at the moment and last night was about Jerusalem. There was space to reflect on the history of the city, the Holy of Holies (and thin places), the lament for place and values, and about our hopes for the future. Ben finished the evening with a meditation and prayer - which I've adapted slightly to reproduce here:
I was standing on Victoria Bridge
Looking back over the city
And the cold
Blue autumn sky broke open over my head
And the Sprit of God breathed on my eyes
And my eyes were opened:
I saw Manchester, the holy city,
Coming down out of heaven
Shining like a rare jewel
Sparkling like clear water in the eye of the sun
And all the sickness was gone from the city
And there were no more suburbs and apartment blocks
No difference between Beswick and Didsbury.
I saw the Irwell running with the water of life
As bright as crystal
As clear as glass
The children of Manchester swimming in it
And the Spirit showed me the tree of life
Growing in Piccadilly Gardens.
I looked out and there were no more homeless people
There were no women working the streets
There were no more junkies up the allies
HIV and AIDS were a thing of the past
There were no more racist attacks
No more attacks on gay people
No more rapists
No more football riots
Because there was no more hate
And I saw women walking safe at nights
And the men were full of passion and gentleness
And none of the children were ever abused
Because the people’s sex was full of justice and joy.
I saw an old woman throw back her head
And laugh like a young girl
And when the sky closed back her laughter
Rang in my head
For days and days
And would not go away.
This is what I saw, looking back over the city,
And I knew then that there would be a day of resurrection
And I believe that there will be a day of resurrection.
(With due respect and a reverent hat tip to Doug Gay)
technorati tag: jerusalem
I was standing on Victoria Bridge
Looking back over the city
And the cold
Blue autumn sky broke open over my head
And the Sprit of God breathed on my eyes
And my eyes were opened:
I saw Manchester, the holy city,
Coming down out of heaven
Shining like a rare jewel
Sparkling like clear water in the eye of the sun
And all the sickness was gone from the city
And there were no more suburbs and apartment blocks
No difference between Beswick and Didsbury.
I saw the Irwell running with the water of life
As bright as crystal
As clear as glass
The children of Manchester swimming in it
And the Spirit showed me the tree of life
Growing in Piccadilly Gardens.
I looked out and there were no more homeless people
There were no women working the streets
There were no more junkies up the allies
HIV and AIDS were a thing of the past
There were no more racist attacks
No more attacks on gay people
No more rapists
No more football riots
Because there was no more hate
And I saw women walking safe at nights
And the men were full of passion and gentleness
And none of the children were ever abused
Because the people’s sex was full of justice and joy.
I saw an old woman throw back her head
And laugh like a young girl
And when the sky closed back her laughter
Rang in my head
For days and days
And would not go away.
This is what I saw, looking back over the city,
And I knew then that there would be a day of resurrection
And I believe that there will be a day of resurrection.
(With due respect and a reverent hat tip to Doug Gay)
technorati tag: jerusalem
big voice for the little guys...
howies do it again - a wealth of info on good ideas and good people, for our good planet home.
Little Big Voice lectures
technorati tag: howies, little big voice
Little Big Voice lectures
technorati tag: howies, little big voice
The web is dead;long live the web...
"The web is an antienlightenment phenomenon, a destroyer of wisdom and culture and an infantile, Rousseau-esque fantasy. “It’s the cult of the child,” he says. “The more you know, the less you know. It’s all about digital narcissism, shameless self-promotion. I find it offensive.”
Read more here
Read more here
Bit-Part
Sanctus1 present
‘Bit-Part ’
A service exploring the smaller characters in the Gospel narratives.
Date: Sunday 22nd April
Venue: Sacred Trinity, Salford.
Time: 8:00 pm
‘Bit-Part ’
A service exploring the smaller characters in the Gospel narratives.
Date: Sunday 22nd April
Venue: Sacred Trinity, Salford.
Time: 8:00 pm
call to arms?...
The Edinburgh Medal (Edinburgh International Science Festival) - Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet
It struck me that The Lancet sounds like The Guardian of the science publishing world – a journal that has challenged and set publishing guidelines about research results and reporting, and has challenged its own publisher’s connections to an arms fair selling cluster bombs and torture equipment.
He spoke on the theme of Science and Society with both vision and tenacity, drawing on the topics of human dignity and ethics in particular. He addressed the three “terrors” of our modern world - eco-scide, disease and war. His message, that we have ability to choose our fate but we are tied to our poorest, weakest neighbour. Can our science knowledge save us from those three disaster scenarios? It’s still unknown, unsure… His advice as to the best possible solution was mass co-operation between nations and people, but our very natures seem to driving these three and us all to destruction.
But with two competing narratives - globalisation and human rights development – it becomes a case not of “what you should do” but “what do you do or are you doing”. Altruism rules. Close (in every sense) human co-operation seems to result in more meaningful relationships and connections, with the immediate benefits of co-operation being more visible to all parties. Help your neighbour becomes a way of keeping us all thriving and alive. When we are more specific and local about our actions, making one small but strong connection, we see benefits, which knock on to others.
There are inherent dangers in this theory, he admits – that the local action can be perceived as only being passed on to those we “like”/ those like us, whereas “the other” becomes more remote and therefore a risk (illustrated in John Carey’s The Intellectuals and The Masses). But here’s his crazy moment of it-might-just-work – could we find a way to match up the poorest and richest three billion people on the planet?
This biological underpinning of 'do unto others' is indeed a strand of compassionate evolution (ref Darwin's The Descent of Man, with his desire to “render those artificial barriers [between people] obsolete”). Hobbes (and Dawkins?) might have us believe that human life on the planet can be nasty, selfish, brutish and short... but Horton’s certainly got other ideas.
technorati tag: edinburgh international science festival, richard horton, the lancet
Be the change...
Sanctus1 and Be The Change presents the Change the Dream Symposium
Where on Earth are we going?
And what can we do about it?
These are two of the questions that lie at the heart of Change the Dream. It explores the link between three of humanity’s most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.
Using video clips from some of the world’s most respected thinkers, inspiring short films, and leading edge information on the state of the planet and its people, the day allows all of us to gain a new insight into the opportunity we have to shape the direction of our world with our everyday choices and actions.
Monday 7 May (bank holiday), 10.00 - 4.30
Nexus, Dale St., Manchester, M1 1JW
0161 236 0100
Cost: £10 (£5 unwaged) - any profits will be donated to suitable charities.
Fairtrade tea/ coffee provided. Lunch not included – bring or buy your own.
For bookings and info, please email bethechange@sanctus1.co.uk
technorati tag: be the change, sanctus1
Where on Earth are we going?
And what can we do about it?
These are two of the questions that lie at the heart of Change the Dream. It explores the link between three of humanity’s most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.
Using video clips from some of the world’s most respected thinkers, inspiring short films, and leading edge information on the state of the planet and its people, the day allows all of us to gain a new insight into the opportunity we have to shape the direction of our world with our everyday choices and actions.
Monday 7 May (bank holiday), 10.00 - 4.30
Nexus, Dale St., Manchester, M1 1JW
0161 236 0100
Cost: £10 (£5 unwaged) - any profits will be donated to suitable charities.
Fairtrade tea/ coffee provided. Lunch not included – bring or buy your own.
For bookings and info, please email bethechange@sanctus1.co.uk
technorati tag: be the change, sanctus1
Holy Week headlines...
Palm Sunday – A returning hometown hero’s welcome?
Maundy Thursday – A last meal with friends, a betrayal and the start of the end…
Good Friday – Nothing will ever be the same again.
Low Saturday – He is dead. He is dead. He is dead.
Easter Sunday – ‘Have a good one when he comes’
(as I mistyped in place of "it" earlier this week)
technorati tag: easter
Maundy Thursday – A last meal with friends, a betrayal and the start of the end…
Good Friday – Nothing will ever be the same again.
Low Saturday – He is dead. He is dead. He is dead.
Easter Sunday – ‘Have a good one when he comes’
(as I mistyped in place of "it" earlier this week)
technorati tag: easter
Please don't pass over this post (geddit?!)
"Jesus wasn't a Christian. He was a Jew," starts Giles Fraser in his Comment Is Free article Embrace Freedom.
In other news today, the Pope is set to give a speech on which denomination he feels more drawn to, while there is new evidence that bears often get caught short in areas densely populated by trees.
Actually, Fraser's article makes for interesting reading:
"Are you saved?" ask evangelicals, as if the question's meaning is obvious... Saved from death, from sin, from the devil, from meaninglessness, from error, from guilt, from hell, from God's wrath - the list is endless.
"For Jews the answer is clear: saved from captivity."
He says we should be banging on a lot more about human freedom because Christianity is, essentially, kinda Jewish-lookin'. Fraser hardly sits on the fence when it comes to religion, so he's often worth a read. Look with your eyes here.
Oh and if any Sanctus 1 blog readers want to start a long, drawn-out debate on penal substitution, here's the place to do it because, quite frankly, I don't know what to think.
In other news today, the Pope is set to give a speech on which denomination he feels more drawn to, while there is new evidence that bears often get caught short in areas densely populated by trees.
Actually, Fraser's article makes for interesting reading:
"Are you saved?" ask evangelicals, as if the question's meaning is obvious... Saved from death, from sin, from the devil, from meaninglessness, from error, from guilt, from hell, from God's wrath - the list is endless.
"For Jews the answer is clear: saved from captivity."
He says we should be banging on a lot more about human freedom because Christianity is, essentially, kinda Jewish-lookin'. Fraser hardly sits on the fence when it comes to religion, so he's often worth a read. Look with your eyes here.
Oh and if any Sanctus 1 blog readers want to start a long, drawn-out debate on penal substitution, here's the place to do it because, quite frankly, I don't know what to think.
Maunday Thursday Reflection
Tonight - 6:30 - Nexus.
A time of reflection on the night before the crucifixion.
A time of reflection on the night before the crucifixion.
Blah...manchester - Trinitarian Mysticism
April 26th | Trinitarian Mysticism
with Ian Mobsby 6:30pm – 8:30pm
How does the Trinity inform what it means to be church in a 21st Century culture of mysticism? How is the Emerging Church engaging with those who are spiritually searching in a post-secular postmodern culture?
Ian Mobsby explores these issues by drawing on recent research from the perspective of emerging church practitioners. Ian is author to the recently published book ‘Emerging & Fresh Expressions of Church’.
Blah...manchester is a partnership between CMS and Sanctus1.
6:30-8:30pm
Admission free
Venue: Nexus
Drinks served from 6:30
Input begins at 7:00
For a map of the location see: http://www.nexusonline.org.uk
We have a limited number of places. It would help us to know in advance if you're coming, so please book a place and turn up!
E-mail Ben Edson on: blah@sanctus1.co.uk
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