January (Web-only) 2005

Critics Assaulted by Precinct 13
Critics survive Assault on Precinct 13 and Are We There Yet? Plus: More reviews of Million Dollar Baby, Hotel Rwanda, Coach Carter, Kinsey, and House of Flying Daggers.
The World's Biggest-Grossing Star Has Another Hit
Critics consider Coach Carter, Racing Stripes, and Elektra, as well as The Merchant of Venice, Bad Education, A Love Song for Bobby Long, and Les Choristes. Plus: More reviews of In Good Company, White Noise, Million Dollar Baby, and Hotel Rwanda.
First-Rate Million Dollar Baby Reaches Controversial Conclusion
Religious press critics disagree with mainstream critics' on Million Dollar Baby's unethical "message," but not its superb artistry. Plus, Christian critics review The Sea Inside,and White Noise, and offer further reviews of Meet the Fockers, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Aviator, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Beyond the Sea, and Ocean's Twelve.
In Good Company Explores Business Ethics
Opening nationwide next week, the Paul Weitz comedy stars Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson. We had a chance to catch up with them at a recent press event in L.A.
Fockers Flock to Top, but Flop with Critics
Christian critics consider Meet the Fockers, Fat Albert, The Phantom of the Opera, The Woodsman, Beyond the Sea, Darkness, and offer more reviews of Hotel Rwanda, The Aviator, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
U.S. Military Interrogator Persecutes Muslim
Plus: Planned Parenthood president resigns as abortions rise and clinics drop, and other stories from online sources around the world.
British Charity Oxfam Wants U.N. to Regulate Aid Groups
Plus: Taking the name of Auschwitz in vain, animal-human hybrids, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Shroud of Turin Between 1,300 and 3,000 Years Old, Journal Says
Plus: Scalia the circuit rider, the next "SpongeBob," and other stories from online sources around the world.
Pennsylvania Students 'Taught' Intelligent Design
Plus: More on the New Jersey Copt community, Rolling Stone rejects Zondervan's Bible ad, Iraqi Christians prepare to vote amidst persecution, Bush's inauguration, and more articles from online sources around the world.
Abortion Litmus Tests and Fundamental Values
Plus: Prayer okayed at inauguration, judge religious hatred cited in murder of New Jersey Coptic couple, Brownback for president? And more articles from online sources around the world.
Hey, Preacher, Leave Those Kids Alone
Plus: Episcopal bishops' "regret," Georgia ordered to remove "religious" evolution stickers, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Mission Agency Airlifts 300 Muslim Tsunami Orphans
Plus: ELCA report recommends status quo on homosexuality, miracle mosques, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Tsunami Weblog: Combining the Gospel with Aid
Plus: Tensions increase between Muslim militants and aid workers; Christian, Hindu groups fighting to help; Churches giving aid; more theodicy debates; and more articles from online sources around the world.
Dutch Doctors Want to Kill the Healthy
Plus: Sri Lanka's anti-conversion bill ruled unconstitutional, Namibia bans all religious broadcasting, violence against Christians thwarted in Indonesia and Philippines, and other stories from online sources around the world.
December Dilemma Award Winner
Plus: The return of Michael Newdow's anti-Pledge crusade, Gerson won't be putting words in Bush's mouth, NBC's new Jesus drama, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Tsunami Weblog: S. Korea Worries Christian Relief Groups May Face Terror Attacks
Plus: Where was God in the disaster? Churches giving aid, and orphaned children kidnapped.
Tsunami Weblog: The World Seeks Meaning
Is God to blame for the tragedy? Plus: the recent tsunami updates, ministry amid the wreckage, and Christians give $millions in relief.
Methodist Renewal Leader Bill Hinson Dies at 68
Plus: Will 2005 be the year of the "culture of life?" And many other stories from online sources around the world.
News You May Have Missed
Quick links to some of the major religion stories that happened between Christmas and New Year's Day
Best Gospel Albums of 2004
Representing a diversity of styles and sounds, these 10 rose to the top of the list for our gospel writer.
9.5 Theses on Worship
9.5 Theses on Worship
A disputation on the role of music.
Hide and Seek
Unholy Wars
Two books document the dangers of mixing church and state.
Focus on SpongeBob
James Dobson's organization says it doesn't object to Mr. SquarePants, but thinks he's being exploited.
Drawing Conclusions
Executive producers for kids TV hits Doug, Stanley, and PB&J Otter — and creators of a new cartoon about the Ten Commandments — on their neighbor SpongeBob.
What Do You Mean, 'Moral' Fiction?
John Gardner, Martin Amis, and the ethics of the novel.
The 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2004
Saviors were everywhere at the multiplex last year, with everything from superheroes to the Savior himself—all with a story of redemption to share with the world.
The Devil Didn't Make Me Do It
Possession is real, says Scott Peck, but we have more to fear from the evil already inside us.
Springtime for Baylor Still Lies Ahead
Sloan's move out of the presidency isn't bad news. A view from inside Baylor.
Baylor's Sloan: 'It's Time for Someone New'
Controversial president to become university chancellor in June.
Is Rolling Stone Afraid of the Bible?
The magazine is suddenly squeamish of religion. At least in one case.
The 20 Most-Read Articles of 2004
The Passion and The Da Vinci Code top the list of subjects CT readers were most interested in last year.
Are We There Yet?
Faith-based, Results-focused
Jim Towey says Bush will push hard for compassion initiative in second term.
Assault on Precinct 13
Booking Ahead
The conclusion of our seasonal roundup—and, at last, truly, this time we mean it, The Worst Book of the Year.
Learning from the Masters
The modern worship movement, with its me-focused lyrics and shallow choruses, could take a cue from some of the great hymn writers of yesteryear.
Football's Pious Pioneer
Amos Alonzo Stagg instilled in football Christian values that remain apparent today.
Coach Carter
Les Choristes (The Chorus)
Racing Stripes
North Korean Refugee Advocates Roughed Up
Security officers forcibly break up Beijing press conference that called for 'compassion.'
From the Big Bang to my Office
More books to note from 2004.
The Sound of Music
French director—and music lover—Christophe Barratier helmed his country's No. 1 movie last year, Les Choristes. Now that it's coming to the U.S., we chatted with Barratier about his film.
Just Call Him "Sir"
Ken Carter made headlines when he benched his high school basketball team for failing to make the grade, a story told in Coach Carter, opening Friday. We talked to Carter about the film and his journey.
Holy Ground
One of the most visible practices among the American Anabaptists, the Brethren love feast exemplifies humility and community.
White Noise
Sri Lanka Bible College Aiding Victims, Churches
More than 30,000 of island nation's 20 million people dead.
Church Building and Its Members Reported Swept to Sea
Horrific and hopeful stories emerging from Sri Lankan Christians.
Indonesian Christians in NYC Gather Money, Pray for Spiritual Healing
Church thankful that few friends and family were in worst-hit areas.
Aimee Semple McPherson
Bee Season
Beyond the Gates of Splendor
Breaking the Da Vinci Code
Buechner
Christianity Today Movies did not review this film, but here's what other critics are saying ...
Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story
Impact: The Passion of The Christ
Madison
Melinda and Melinda
Christianity Today Movies did not review this film, but here's what other critics are saying ...
And Then There Were Nun
Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
Alternative pop/rock
Best Laid Plans
Roots pop/rock and alt-folk
Devils & Dust
folk/Americana
A Different Kind of Pain
Melodic hard rock
Don't Believe the Truth
Neo-classic Brit rock
TheFutureEmbrace
Reprise Records
Illinois
Alternative folk/pop
Make Believe
Modern rock
One Day Remains
Hard rock/neo-grunge

Top Story March 19, 2024

Died: Michael Knott, Christian Alternative Musician Who Helped Launch Tooth & Nail
Died: Michael Knott, Christian Alternative Musician Who Helped Launch Tooth & Nail
Knott wrote rock operas, sang with honesty and conviction, called out hypocrites, and bucked the norms of the Christian music industry.

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