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And it is not simply the logic of Christian thinkers that Lewis continues to shape, but the imagination of the culture. In the recently released DVD of the extended version of Peter Jackson's film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers, C.S. Lewis plays a part. One reviewer writes, "There's an informative discussion with literary scholars about how conversations between authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis—and their frustration about the lack of stories they liked to read—became the catalyst for the authors to create their masterworks The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, respectively."

While evangelical Christians keep writing and writing about engaging culture and finding God in popular culture, C.S. Lewis has been there, done that. The Chronicles of Narnia boxed set (one of many offerings) maintains an Amazon.com "sales ranking" of 65; according to one estimate, this easily translates into hundreds of sales per day. In comparison, the wildly popular Left Behind novel ranks 2,077, translating to a about a dozen sales per day. In addition, there are rumors that Peter Jackson's company Weta Workshop has already begun working on the first of five film adaptations of Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. The project may be as big as The Lord of the Rings movies, and if so, the influence that C.S. Lewis has on culture will have only just begun.

Sexual ethics:

Colin Powell reveals he teaches sexual abstinence to girls | "Abstinence is a good thing to teach young people before they're ready for the responsibilities of sexual activity," Mr Powell said. "Abstinence works. We know it works … and it is a perfectly sensible strategy to take to young people." (The Independent, London)

Also: Powell defends US policy on Aids | American Secretary of State Colin Powell has said the US is making a greater contribution to fighting HIV/Aids than any other country (BBC, audio)

Troublesome archbishop runs a little further from grace | Archbishop Emanuel Milingo has done it again: run off with a woman (The Age, Melbourne, Australia)

Church counselor charged in sex abuse | A counselor at an East End church has been charged with sexually abusing three young girls over the past several years (Newsday)

Hefner ads too close for college's comfort | Andrew Puzder, president and chief executive of CKE Restaurants Inc., which owns Carl's Jr. and has featured Hefner in recent commercials, resigned this week from Thomas Aquinas College's board of governors (Los Angeles Times)

Key criminal cases of clergy sexual abuse | Highlights of criminal cases since January 2002 involving U.S. Roman Catholic officials' handling of sexual misconduct allegations against clergy (Associated Press)

Cincinnati archdiocese fined for covering up abuse (Reuters)

2 former students accuse priest of molestation | Two former students of a Roman Catholic school have filed suit against a priest who taught there and the school's religious order, alleging he abused them. (AP)

Gay Marriage:

Battle fronts form over marriage laws | Traditional-marriage advocates who are taking their battle against California's new domestic-partnership law to the streets and the courts face several important deadlines next month (The Washington Times)

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November (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47