One of the most common ways people experience history is through film. Ever since I first saw it, The Illusionist (2006) has been one of my favourite films. The film takes place in Austria-Hungary during the time of their empire in the 19th century, and follows the controversial career and love affair of a returning magician to Vienna and his tangles in the politics of the … [Read more...]
South Park's Depiction of Historical Theology
The argument from inconsistent revelations is a common case made by atheists but decreasingly popular, in a less religious culture. In short it says that because so many religions preach different ways to Heaven, then choosing any one of them is mathematically risky and foolish because you could be wrong. Thus it’s better not to choose a religion and be agnostic. However … [Read more...]
The Borgias and the Lutheran Reformation
I consider myself a very Traditional and Catholic Lutheran. I love the Roman Catholic Church, and I hope and pray for the day when the Lutheran Gospel of salvation by grace alone will be sounded in its Cathedrals, and the Church reunited. In any case, in my sojourning outside the Roman Communion, I still enjoy getting glimpses of it and feel a need to keep learning about the … [Read more...]
Advent and "The Lives of Others" (2006): A Cinematic View of Christ's Return.
Yesterday I mentioned East Germany in a post, and I think Christ's Second Advent is a little the falling of the Berlin wall. In the film "The Lives of Others" (2006) set during the fall of the Soviet-controlled government of East Germany, there is a beautiful moment when a group of secret police hear on the radio that the wall has come down. They are busy at work opening … [Read more...]
Star Wars and the Great Schism
A Catholic apologist I met online who aided in my conversion posted something on facebook today that made me laugh really hard: "Constantinople, You are totally the Anakin Skywalker of Church history" followed by re-worked star wars quotes into East-West church history references.The funniest ones were: "You're asking me to be rational. That is something I know I cannot do. … [Read more...]