March (Web-only) 2004

Zombies Conquer Box Office, Topple Passion
What Christian critics are saying about Dawn of the Dead, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Taking Lives, Secret Window, Agent Cody Banks 2, and The Passion.
Secret Window, Secret Agents
Depp shines through Secret Window, Mamet makes Spartan spark, but Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London stumbles. Plus: more on The Reckoning, Hidalgo, Starsky and Hutch, My Architect, The Passion of The Christ, and how the Bible can revitalize art in culture.
Gibson's Passion Outraces Hidalgo at Box Office
Critics continue to throw punches over The Passion of The Christ. Christian film critics find Hidalgo ho-hum, take The Reckoning seriously, debate Starsky and Hutch, shoot Club Dread dead, and hang ABC's TV movie Judas.
Tolkien's Epic Wins 11 Overdue Oscars; Passion "Grosses" Greatly
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ties the Oscar record. The Passion of The Christ, a "loser" with critics, is a box office blockbuster. Meanwhile, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights is dirty and dumb, Twisted is torture, Eurotrip is trash, and Clifford's Big Movie charms the kids.
Not This Easter, Mel
I haven't seen The Passion of The Christ, and I don't plan to. Here's why.
Dogville
Jersey Girl
The Ladykillers
A Warm & Fuzzy Kevin Smith?
Well, not quite. But the normally crass writer/director toned it down for Jersey Girl, where the young father wears his heart on his sleeve.
The Sound of (Movie) Music
Ten timeless, terrific soundtracks that will endure forever.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Taking Lives
Overcome with Passion
Why evangelicals need to get smart about movies—and learn to appreciate them as art.
Mad Geniuses
A conversation with Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry, the brilliant minds behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which opens Friday.
Ikiru
Secret Window
Spartan
10 Chick Flicks Worth Watching
Cinematic gems every woman should see.
Back to the Shire?
Peter Jackson says he would like to direct The Hobbit, but it's at least a couple years—and perhaps a few legal battles—away.
Hidalgo
The Reckoning
After Aragorn
In his first feature film since Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen is an adventurous cowboy in Hidalgo, a yarn that doesn't get all the facts right. But that's just fine with this myth-loving leading man.
Should Kids See The Passion?
We think the R rating is right on the money. Parents should see it first, then decide.
Disney Does Narnia
Shrek director to helm The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, coming to theaters Christmas 2005.
Family First
Sarah Drew, an aspiring actress from Connecticut, made her big-screen debut in Radio. But no role will come before her family—or her faith.
A Hands-on Experiment
Religion scholar thrilled to serve on advisory committee for The Gospel of Mark.
Multi(per)plexed
Multi(per)plexed
Christians remain divided about what a 'good' movie is
Life, Work, and the Mommy Wars
A book about real choices.
Nigeria's Anglican Leader Refuses to Attend Meeting with Episcopal Head
Plus: Not all evangelicals are gung-ho on a federal marriage amendment.
Serving God Without God
The author of Running on Empty discusses his life in ministry with and without a walk with God.
California Supreme Court Orders Catholic Charities to Pay for Birth Control
Plus: More on the marriage wars, the new Methodist evangelistic strategies, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Weblog Lite: Arrests in Mozambique Missionary Murder
Plus: Reactions to California's Catholic Charities case, gay marriage moves to Oregon, atrocities in Sudan, and links to other stories from online sources around the world.
Is Christianity Oppressive to Women?
Sometimes our Christian heritage must be overcome, not celebrated.
Roe v. Wade Almost Overturned in 1992
Plus: Public television station will sell to anyone but a Christian broadcaster, and many other stories from online sources around the world
Is Christianity Oppressive to Women?
Sometimes our Christian heritage must be overcome, not celebrated.
Civil Unions: Would a Marriage by any Other Name Be the Same?
Some theologically conservative Christians support civil unions and remain opposed to same-sex marriage.
The New York Times Examines a Tech School for Conservative Politics
Patrick Henry College is still small and unaccredited, but is becoming increasingly prominent in Washington.
Rediscovering the Language Jesus Spoke
Millions of Americans have spent two hours listening to the characters in Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ speaking in an exotic, unfamiliar tongue. Yet not all find Aramaic so alien.
Supreme Court Turns Down Boy Scouts Case
Plus: Concerned Women for America loses another leader, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Heidi Neumark Transfigures the Bronx for some Breathing Space
After spending 20 years as pastor of a church in the Bronx, Heidi Neumark realized that sometimes people just need some room to breathe.
Feds Granted More than $1 Billion to Religious Charities in 2003
Plus: The Joash tablet may not be a fake after all, Christians attacked in India and Egypt, our continuing (and exhausting) roundup of stories about gay marriage and The Passion, and other articles from online sources around the world.
Weblog Breaks Down, Passion It Is, Sorta
Plus: prayer and evolution in schools, Jessica Simpson's religious upbringing, Jesus with poseable arms, and more stories from online sources around the world.
Bush Addresses Evangelicals; Gay Marriage Halted in Calif., Gay Marriage Ban Proposed in Mass.
Plus: Hundreds of other stories from online sources around the world
Rediscovering the Language Jesus Spoke
Millions of Americans have spent two hours listening to the characters in Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ speaking in an exotic, unfamiliar tongue. Yet not all find Aramaic so alien.
Coming Attractions
What the success of The Passion of The Christ may mean for future films.
Four Southern Baptist Aid Workers Killed in Iraq
Plus: While Unitarian ministers are arrested by police for gay marriages, a wed lesbian faces a church trial for being a minister, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Transforming Culture into God's Image
Gregory Wolfe, author of Intruding Upon the Timeless, has opted out of the culture wars in order to build a Christian culture for others to imitate.
Locke vs. Davey Won't Hinder Voucher Expansion, Say Legal Experts
Religious institutions must be included in federally funded programs.
Church Vans to Be Safer
Plus: More on the Baptists killed in Iraq, euthanasia debate in New Zealand, the best-selling artist of all-time's comeback, Choose Life license plates, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Methodist Trial Opens With Arrests, Comparison to Crucifixion
Plus: Foursquare Gospel leaders resign over Ponzi scheme involvement; remembering the Baptists killed in Iraq, and many other stories from online sources around the world.
Muslim Youths Raze Four Nigerian Churches
Plus: Christian Legal Society chapter sues Ohio State, USA Today issues major report on Jack Kelley, and many other stories from online sources around the world.
Patrick's Italian Brother
Lost amid the celebration of Patrick is the important story of Benedict, the father of western monasticism.
Methodist Court Acquits Homosexual Minister
Jury says church language on incompatibility of homosexuality with Christian teaching is too weak.
Books & Culture's Books of the Week: Mistakes Were Made
Four of the Seven Deadly Sins, as seen from a contemporary vantage point.
Let God Handle Your Sin
The Christian life isn't so hard when you let God do all the work
Steve Wilkens Loves Bad Christians and Pagans
The author of Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans believes Christians can learn a lot from skeptics and non-Christians.
Federal Marriage Amendment Reworded to Allow Civil Unions
Plus: Time profiles Rick Warren, Christian Coalition reportedly not paying its bills, and other stories from online sources around the world.
American Missionaries, Local Student Killed in Uganda
Couple was willing to help anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Dozens of Churches Destroyed in Kosovo
Plus: Critics of partial-birth abortion win a few battles, 'Under God' case goes to the Supreme Court, U.S. criticizes China rights, injured Baptist aid worker returns to U.S., and other stories from online sources around the world.
A Methodist Mob Mugging
There are real victims in the farce that was the Methodist church trial of a lesbian minister.
Pre-Weblog: Court Says S.C. 'Choose Life' License Plates Unconstitutional
Plus links to articles about financial scams, the Pope's second autobiography, Iraq missionaries, and other subjects from online media sources around the world.
NRB Head: Indecent Airwaves Debate Is Opportunity
Frank Wright says issues over public interest may reshape views of Christian media.
Atheist Dad in 'Under God' Case Literally Applauded, But Likely to Lose
Supreme Court justices will probably overturn ruling, but maybe without addressing Pledge issues.
Senate Passes Fetal Homicide Bill
Plus: Former Archbishop of Canterbury criticizes Islam, The Passion of The Christ opens overseas, and other stories from online sources around the world.
'St. Mugg' and the Wrestling Prophets
A modern British journalist gives us timely words from yesterday's sinner-saints.
Jack Kelley Urged to Pursue Counseling
'A broken man' turns to Christian colleagues for support.
Kerry's Religion Is Today's Big Politics Story
Plus: Partial-birth abortion ban goes to court three times today, remembering Rwanda's genocide, Moscow bans Jehovah's Witnesses, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Trust but Verify
Ronald Reagan's faith.
Baseball Preview 2004
Plus a look back with some Negro League veterans.
Passion Provokes Neo-Nazi Confession
Plus: Jesus returns (in the latest Left Behind novel), partial-birth abortion ban in court, Boise commandments monument moved from public park, Massachusetts gay marriage ban goes forward, and other stories from online sources around the world.

Top Story March 29, 2024

A Theologian’s Vision of ‘Peasant’ Politics Is Surprisingly Lordly in Scope
A Theologian’s Vision of ‘Peasant’ Politics Is Surprisingly Lordly in Scope
Ephraim Radner’s “narrow” concern for protecting the mundane goods of earthly life isn’t so narrow after all.

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