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I find that I don't need to explain postmodernity to people under 40. They inherently understand that as the air that they breathe. I remember talking to a student about a film called Run Lola Run, this odd little German film, and how it's irrational and emotional and doesn't follow things in a linear line. And I said, "This represents a new way of thinking." And he said, "Well, what other way of thinking is there?"

At what point does a person of faith have to engage in a critical analysis and dialogue and even a rejection of some of the elements of postmodernism?

My hope is that there will be plenty of people who will take on the downside of postmodernism and point out where it's good to be rational and it's good to think with your head sometimes. We decided to celebrate what's right with it. Because in a sense, we're trusting that God is in it, that as people of faith our job isn't to oppose stuff, it might be to embrace stuff. My job might be to build bridges rather than erecting barriers.

You make reference to 1999 as the year that changed movies. And then you interact with some of the themes that emerged that year in film. Give us a little slice of why that was a year that changed movies.

The same year that The Matrix was released on Easter weekend, you also had films like American Beauty and Fight Club and Magnolia and Run Lola Run and Dogma, Sixth Sense, films that assumed life beyond what you could see. All of them dealt with the possibility of miracles beyond, of life outside of ourselves, as a search for something more. And I think that characterizes where we are in a culture right now. We have a spiritual culture, not necessarily a Christian culture, but a spiritual culture that assumes a certain respect for the mystery of the divine.

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Recent Dick Staub Interviews include:

Walter Wangerin Finds God Everywhere | The author of The Book of God discusses his newest novel—an ancient story with modern relevance. (Jan. 27, 2004)

Lauren Winner's Faith Still a Bit Jewish | The author of Girl Meets God discusses the Jewish habits that inform her Christianity (Jan. 20, 2004)

Ravi Zacharias's Wonderful World | The author of Jesus Among Other Gods explores God's gift of awe. (Jan. 13, 2004)

Michael Card Discovers St. Peter | In A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of St. Peter, Card says sinking is more important than walking on the water. (Dec. 16, 2003)

Mary Poplin Calls Claremont Her "Calcutta" | After seeking God through telepathic spoon bending exercises, this professor found God, and with the help of Mother Teresa, her calling. (Dec. 10, 2003)

Gordon Smith Hears the Voice of Jesus | The author of The Voice of Jesus talks about listening to God with discernment. (Nov. 18, 2003)

John Eldredge Is Wild at Heart | The author of Wild at Heart and The Sacred Romance discusses rediscovering the Gospel through a ransomed heart. (Nov. 11, 2003)

Pursuing God and Community | A self-described nerd says pursuing God and community is possible through commitment (Nov. 4, 2003)

Francis Bok Is Proof that Slavery Still Exists | After spending 10 years in slavery, the young Sudanese man is telling his story to the world. (Oct. 28, 2003)

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February (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48