Expelled is a new movie by Ben Stein.  He is most known for his Clear Eyes commercials and his game show, Win Ben Stein's Money.  However, his new movie takes a much more serious tone.  Go watch the trailer and see for yourself.  Evidently, the premise of the movie is to expose the out-right persecution of scientist who believe in some for of creation that does not fall in line with Darwin's theory of evolution.  

I believe Ben is Jewish and therefore somewhat partial to the creation story in Genesis.  But the trailer indicates that he is not necessarily promoting intelligent design as a theory to replace evolution, but more concerned with the overt inability to question evolution at all.  A great line from the trailer points out that most people who are confident in their beliefs are actually welcoming of criticisms.  The assumption is that if one is confident in their beliefs, it is because they have understood some of the basic criticisms and have answers for them.  Therefore, when people hold to a belief and are not willing to answer critics and engage in dialogue, it appears that they do not have great answers to the criticisms.  It should be a great movie and good for dialogue.

Southern Seminary Student Arts Organization

There is a new student art organization at Southern Seminary (where I go to school via the internet).  I am really excited about this because it is not often that seminary education remains so closely faithful to biblical Christianity and yet still has a passion to be relevant to the culture.  Usually, seminaries get side-tracked by one or the other; a preoccupation with the bible but no appreciation for cultural engagement, or so preoccupied with culture that they see less of a need for the bible.  Ideally, we should spend an equal amount of time studying our culture and our Bible.  As I learn to study the Bible, I find it fascinating how easy it becomes to relate the culture of the bible to the culture I live in.  If I still lived near campus, I would attend this group in a heart-beat.  

I took three courses in art history and graduated with a degree in graphic design and web-design.  Having a knowledge of how art has changed over the years is almost better than an anthropology class.  It is one thing to study people through statistics and other empirical data, however, studying what people described as beautiful in a given area can yield equally satisfying results.  Mainly, because a greater appreciation of an art piece grows with a greater understanding of the culture in which it was created.  The church as a whole would do well to understand the role of art in culture and to identify its close connection to what appeals to people.  

For example, Apple computers are beginning to make significant gains in the technology market.  If you have ever thought it was solely because they work really well and there operating system is stable, you are wrong.  Apple takes great pride in its presentation of their computers.  In terms of construction. they all have wide curves around their edges, minimal screws exposed, and no endorsement stickers slapped all over it.  Their operating system is designed so that is gives the appearance of simplicity.  At times, it can be a real pain in the teeth to get it to do what you want, but who cares....it looks well-made and therefore makes the average user feel like its easily accessible.  This is what good art does.  Whether its a painting or music, at some level you can enter the piece and understand the basic shape and form.  However, great art always keeps you looking and listening, noticing things you had not seen before.  Check out the video to see a great (sarcastic) example of what I am talking about.

 

http://theresurgence.com/greg_wright_2006_how_do_we_process_the_ethics_of_movies Here is a great article about how to critique movies as a Christian. He offers four points for evaluating movies theologically as well as four from an artistic perspective. A quick and helpful read.

RELEVANT MAGAZINE If you are at all interested in understanding the Christian church's need to get with the times.....read this article. The internet is profoundly shaping the current generation and ultimately society as we know it. If you use any web service such as Flickr, YouTube or Wikipedia, then you will love this article. If the church would understand (and at some points embrace) what the internet is changing, it would certainly be a revolution for the better.

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This quote comes from a recent CNN.com article reporting that a federal judge struck down a 1998 U.S.