Last week, we looked at the time period in which Jesus was born. The Roman Empire sprawled across the Mediterranean and governed much of the known world under an uneasy … Continue reading Of This World (Advent part 2)
Christmas Movie Recommendation: Noelle
I have a hard time finding Christmas movies I really enjoy, which is why my list of preferred holiday movies hasn’t changed in almost two decades: Muppet Christmas Carol, Nightmare Before … Continue reading Christmas Movie Recommendation: Noelle
Of This World (Advent part 1)
Every morning as I drive to work, I pass the same pickup truck. Emblazoned in ornate letters across the back window are these words: “JESUS: NOT OF THIS WORLD.” I … Continue reading Of This World (Advent part 1)
Defending God
When I was younger, I thought I had to defend God. I assumed life’s most difficult questions —why bad things happen to good people, where the universe came from, etc.— … Continue reading Defending God
Conclusion: Working Toward a Christ-Centered Sexual Ethic
Idolizing sex, placing personal piety over social injustice, shaming women, perpetuating sexism and patriarchy, diluting Christian theology (if not ignoring it entirely), erasing LGBTQ folks, straight-up lying about STDs— purity … Continue reading Conclusion: Working Toward a Christ-Centered Sexual Ethic
The Idolatry of Sex: How Purity Culture Sets Us Up for Failure
Purity rings, abstinence pledges, courting— Evangelical Christianity has a particular and peculiar stance on human sexuality. If you’re like me, you grew up surrounded by this “Purity Culture,” which relies … Continue reading The Idolatry of Sex: How Purity Culture Sets Us Up for Failure
The Mighty Mighty Mai Tai
Unlike so many drinks whose origins are lost to history, the Mai Tai has a carefully documented creation story. Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron was among the greats in the Post-WWII … Continue reading The Mighty Mighty Mai Tai
The Wendigo: Our Taboos as Our Monsters
So hey, in all these posts, I’ve focused a lot on well known pop culture monsters, but I want to take a quick detour into a monster which fascinates me … Continue reading The Wendigo: Our Taboos as Our Monsters
Serial Killers: Stigma, Stereotypes, and Mental Health (and also Joker)
He hides under a mask. He wields a chainsaw or knife or claw or hook (and he’s almost always a he for some reason). He might be undead, or he … Continue reading Serial Killers: Stigma, Stereotypes, and Mental Health (and also Joker)
Werewolves: The Fear of Losing Control
What if you lost control? What if, for a night, you found yourself coursing with unfamiliar emotion or perhaps emotions you thought long buried? What if you found your body … Continue reading Werewolves: The Fear of Losing Control