I wrote the Sermon Notes for the recent Man of Steel blockbuster film. Thousands of pastors took the time to visit a website, enter their address, and download the notes. I am glad that many have found the parallels (and distinctions) drawn between the life of Jesus and the myth of Superman helpful. Countless moviegoers from different faith traditions (or lack thereof) noticed the rather obvious connections between Jesus of Nazareth and Kal-El of Krypton. Hopefully, such comparisons do not detract from either story. My sermon notes were designed to connect (and separate) the superhero film from the enduring testimony regarding Jesus.

Nevertheless, some see the structuring of a sermon around a blockbuster movie as everything that's wrong with church in the 21st century. It is compromised and compromising. Why would we surrender a sacred service to a secular movie?

As someone who likes his church services slow, low-fi, and ancient in origin, I can see why the inclusion of clips ...