Preaching Today Blog

Weekly Intersections (July 1, 2009)

One potent little line from a recent article in The New York Times that I suspect will whet your appetite to read more: "Despite strong social riptides working against it—the liberalization of divorce laws, the vanishing stigma of divorce, the continual online temptations of social sites like MySpace or Facebook—the marriage bond is far stronger in 21st-century America than many may assume." The article—entitled "Marriage Stands Up for Itself"—is written in light of the recent revelation of Governor Mark Sanford's (SC) infidelity.

Preaching and Pop Culture: Friday Pop Culture Roundup (June 26, 2009)

Top Five Movies
1. The Proposal (PG-13)
2. The Hangover (R)
3. Up (PG)
4. Year One (PG-13)
5. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (R)

Notables: The Proposal is another Sandra Bullock vehicle. When I saw a preview for it, I thought, I think we’ve all seen this one before—mean-spirited person has icy heart thawed by unlikely budding romance with kind-hearted person. I am quite thankful my wife views this as a Netflix option. That’s $7–9 back in my pocket to go see Up again.

General Notes from Today's Webinar

blowery@christianitytoday.com Special Topics

For those who attended today's webinar, here are the PowerPoint notes from Skye Jethani's webinar on "Preaching That Deconstructs Culture and Constructs Disciples." Just below the notes are a few suggested resources from Skye and a a few websites that might be helpful. If you weren't able to attend the webinar, I hope this offers a helpful taste of what you missed. It was a great morning. Be on the lookout for more webinars in the future.

Special Webinar on Preaching - TOMORROW

by Brian Lowery blowery@christianitytoday.com Special Topics

Sadly, there will be no Weekly Intersections tomorrow. However, let me tell you why: I'm playing host to a special preaching webinar with Skye Jethani. Remember Skye? He was a guest blogger on this very site a few weeks ago. Skye is the managing editor of Leadership journal, a frequent contributor to Out of Ur, and author of a great book entitled The Divine Commodity, a look at consumerism's influence on American culture and the church itself.

It's possible that a lot of you have heard about this webinar already. If you haven't, no need to worry. Now you know about it, and you can still be a part of it. The one-hour webinar is tomorrow (Wednesday, June 24) at 10am CST. Skye will be talking about the role of preaching in spiritual formation and how sermons can deconstruct culture while constructing disciples. He'll also talk about a sermon series he preached on circumcision as an example. The webinar costs $9.95 and you can sign up to attend by clicking here.

I truly believe this webinar will fill the hole in your heart left by the absence of the Weekly Intersections. Well, it will come close to filling that hole.

Brian Lowery is managing editor of PreachingToday.com.

I'm Back

by Brian Lowery blowery@christianitytoday.com Special Topics

I was out all of last week on vacation. Sorry about the lack of posts. I'm going to try and post a few Intersections on Wednesday, but no promises. I've got a lot going on that day. However, the Pop Culture Roundup will be there on Friday. You have my word. Once we get on the other side of July 4th, things should settle down again.

Preaching and Pop Culture: Friday Pop Culture Roundup (June 12, 2009)

Top Five Movies
1. The Hangover (R)
2. Up (PG)
3. Land of the Lost (PG-13)
4. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (PG)
5. Star Trek (PG-13)

Weekly Intersections (June 10, 2009)

Well, my friends, I was out sick last week with a nasty little sinus infection. I apologize if the absence of my weekly intersections turned your world upside down, but I am quite serious when I say I felt like my world was upside down. But I'm on the mend and good to go…

Preaching and Pop Culture: Friday Pop Culture Roundup (June 5, 2009)

Top Five Movies
1. Up (PG)
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (PG)
3. Terminator Salvation (PG-13)
4. Drag Me to Hell (PG-13)
5. Star Trek (PG-13)

Notables: Everything Pixar touches turns to gold. Some folks thought Up might not draw as many kids because the protagonist is an old man. Well, "some folks" was wrong. It took in $68.1 million in its opening weekend to crush the rest of the competition. From all I've seen, there's not one negative review of this thing. Critics and audiences absolutely adore it. I'm hoping to catch it this weekend. Here’s a review of Up from the folks at CT Movies, and don't forget about the interview that CT Movies' Mark Moring had with the film's director, Pete Docter (a believer).

As for the rest of the list, the only other thing worth noting is that it's awfully fascinating to see how schizophrenic we are in what we are drawn to. I mean, on the same weekend some wanted to go Up, while others said Drag Me to Hell.

Preaching and Pop Culture: Friday Pop Culture Roundup (May 29, 2009)

Top Five Movies
1. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (PG)
2. Terminator Salvation (PG-13)
3. Star Trek (PG-13)
4. Angels & Demons (PG-13)
5. Dance Flick (PG-13)

Notables: At the close of last week's section on the top five movies, I said that the next go around, Terminator Salvation would own this list. A rather ignorant prediction, because I forgot to remember that the sequel to 2007's Night at the Museum was going to be unleashed on the same weekend. Night at the Museum is a family flick. Terminator Salvation is for people who like lots of gunfire—more specifically, lots of gunfire aimed in the direction of robots bent on ushering in the apocalypse. You tell me which demographic is bigger. And just like that, Terminator Salvation could only pull off second place.

Preaching Connection Newsletter Subscribers: Please Take Our Brief Survey!

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Do you subscribe to the Preaching Connection newsletter? If you do, we're looking for a little feedback to help us know how we can better help you through this corner of our ministry. To show our appreciation for completing the survey, you'll receive a $10 coupon good for anything at ChristianBibleStudies.com. 'Cuz we're nice like that. To take the brief survey, click here.

But let's say you don't subscribe to the Preaching Connection newsletter, and this post makes that glaringly apparent—to the point of profound sadness in your life. Well, let me offer hope. You can sign up for this free weekly newsletter by clicking here.

Weekly Intersections (May 27, 2009)

As you've probably heard by now, the pollsters at Gallup announced that for the first time since they started asking questions concerning abortion in 1995, more Americans are pro-life than pro-choice. In this article Nancy Gibbs, of Time magazine, tries to untangle what this shift says about us as a nation. Though she only offers it in passing, I thought this quick point was a good point indeed: "People under 30 are more opposed to abortion than those who are older, perhaps because their first baby pictures were often taken in utero."

Preaching and Pop Culture: Friday Pop Culture Roundup (May 22, 2009)

Top Five Movies
1. Angels & Demons (PG-13)
2. Star Trek (PG-13)
3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13)
4. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (PG-13)
5. Obsessed (PG-13)

Notables: Another adaptation of a Dan Brown novel takes the top spot. This really isn't all that surprising. The Da Vinci Code was a worldwide blockbuster, virtually assuring a lot of folks were going to check this one out. And people really do like Tom Hanks. A director could film him talking to a volleyball and folks would pay to see it.

Weekly Intersections (May 20, 2009)

After nearly two years in prison for bankrolling dog fighting, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been released from prison. As I made my way to work this morning, the radio was abuzz about whether or not he should be given a second chance in the NFL. Second chances: a topic that never gets old, and certainly shouldn't for believers. (In a related story, check out this ESPN article about former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy visiting Vick in prison. Pay special attention to that last paragraph. Is there a kinder, classier guy in the sports world than Dungy?

Finding Meaning in LOST

Over on the Books & Culture site, Tyler Charles, assistant editor of Preaching Today's Faith Visuals, has written a great little piece about LOST - you know, that ABC series on Wednesday nights that everyone in your church is watching. Check it out. It's spoiler-free. I promise!

Preaching and Pop Culture: Friday Pop Culture Roundup (May 15, 2009)

Top Five Movies
1. Star Trek (PG-13)
2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13)
3. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (PG-13)
4. Obsessed (PG-13)
5. 17 Again (PG-13)

Notables: I'd say the attempt to "reboot" Star Trek was a success. It made a whopping $75.2 million in its opening weekend. I have no idea how big the drop-off will be, but I bet plays pretty well for a few weeks. I'm not a Trekkie by any stretch of the imagination. In fact - I know this is going to draw the wrath of some of you - I would go so far as to say I can't stand Star Trek. I just think that most of the time it makes no sense at all and the characters seem like caricatures. I don't get the hubbub about it. And I certainly don't get the conventions the fanboys hold. Wow. That being said, I gave the new one a chance, and I liked it. I could have done without the constant attempts at drawing back in the silly catchphrases of the earlier shows and film adaptations, but overall, a good popcorn flick. Perfect summer watching. But does it have anything of real illustrative value? Not really. Though I have to say that between Lost (now, I am quite crazy about that show) and the new Star Trek, time travel is all the rage again. Both have left people's heads spinning with "what if" scenarios. We like more than ever the whole idea of being able to leave the present to alter the past to change the future.