December (Web-only) 2005
Kong Stirs Up Critics, Brokeback Stirs Up a Storm
King Kong is amazing, but indulgent, while Brokeback Mountain is stirring up controversy. Plus, The Family Stone, Memoirs of a Geisha, and more reviews of Syriana, Paradise Now, and Yours, Mine & Ours.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Verdict
The Narnia reviews are in, and many Christian critics press find it good but not great, expressing differing degrees of dissatisfaction. Plus, religious press reviews of Syriana, and another look at Pride & Prejudice.
Flimsy Flux a Flop for Theron
Christian critics question Aeon Flux. Plus, more reviews of Rent, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Walk the Line.
Christian Critics: No Thanks for New Movies
Yours, Mine & Ours, Rent, The Ice Harvest, Just Friends, In the Mix—;Christian film critics aren't happy with any of them. They're still more interested in Walk the Line, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Pride & Prejudice and Shopgirl.
Mini-Weblog: Jews for Jesus Against Google
Plus: Church to give away house on New Year's Eve, LA Times on the country's largest Christian talk radio station, and a few other stories.
Weblog Bonus: Three Dozen Editorials on Intelligent Design, But Only One Opinion
Plus: Tex. District approves Bible curriculum, the last of the 2005 Christmas wars, and many other stories from online sources around the world.
Dover Board Lied! Intelligent Design Died!
Plus: The Catholic version of the "no church on Christmas" story, the Osteens' worst flight now, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Sydney Churches Burn
Plus: Indiana House prayer ban challenged, Wa. Democrats apologize for anti-fish item, cloning fabrications, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Megachurches on the Defensive
Plus: The real "Lucy," Australia's churches respond to rioting, keeping Benny Hinn out of Fiji, and other stories from online sources around the world.
There's No Place Like Court for the Holidays
Plus: Qur'an oaths suit tossed, John Wilson on N.T. Wright's new perspective on Paul, and other stories from online sources around the world.
Forcing Emergency Contraception Pills Down Throats of Opponents
Mass. Hospitals denied exemption as Walgreens pharmacists sue. Plus: More religion stories from online sources around the world.
Christians in Hollywood: Now What?
Pop culture analyst Craig Detweiler says Christians are long past merely trying to get a foot in the door in the film industry. Now that they've got a seat at the table, where do they go from here?
The Sound of the Furay
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco), now a pastor in Colorado, is still making music. These days, it's what he calls "devotional songs."
Christmas Attacks Suspected
Indonesia's Christians dig bomb pits to prep for terrorist assaults over weekend.
Intelligent Design Is Too Religious for Schools, Judge Rules
"Abundantly clear" that it's updated creationism, he says.
Truth, Christmas, and the Eucharist
Why I didn't like the hymns and praise songs we were singing—and why I was missing the point.
The Top Ten Books of 2005
A charming bedside miscellany, a new novel by P. D. James, and much more.
My Rant Against CCM
I was so busy bashing the state of contemporary Christian music that I almost forgot to point the accusatory finger at myself. Then God stepped in ... with conviction
The Man Came Around
Johnny Cash was not ashamed of his Christian faith—though it was sometimes a messy faith—and even got some encouragement from Billy Graham along the way.
Exiled Iraqi Christians Vote with Concern About Their Future
Chaldo-Assyrians seek representation in their homeland.
Readers Write
Recent letters on Sunday Christmas services, Anne Rice, the Oregon suicide case, evangelical theologies, and gender roles.
"Aslan Was Cool"
So says a 10-year-old who saw the new Narnia movie last week in this roundup of moviegoer reactions to the film.
Why You Won't Like Turkish Delight As Much As Edmund Did
Though sales are up in the U.K., no one thinks the exotic, rose-flavored candy will catch on in the U.S.
Sharing Stories from the Heart
The lessons of history are fair game for use today.
Megachurches Cancel Christmas
Plus: Australian charity ordered to hire non-Christians, one Walgreen pharmacist caves on Plan B, anti-"fundie" KU prof alleges attack, and other stories from online sources around the world.
A Narnia Without Lewis or Aslan
The real surprise in The Giant Surprise , a "brand new Narnia adventure story," isn't the byline.
A Narnia Geek's Dream Come True
Perry Moore, a lifelong sci-fi and fantasy fanboy, has always wanted to see his favorite book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, made into a movie. Now it is—and he's the executive producer.
Warren, Hybels Urge Churches to Wage 'War on AIDS'
Hundreds of evangelicals attending Disturbing Voices conference repent, refocus on outreach to outcasts.