Culture and Review - Education and Culture

Poetry, tears and religion

Michael Robbins — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:11:44 +0000

Several of the greatest poets in the English tradition from the Renaissance onward have sought to replace God with the human imagination, says Michael Robbins. They have succeeded and failed in interesting ways.

Living without a goal?

Simon Barrow — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:04:05 +0100

If watching football is a waste of time with redeeming moments, much the same could be said about prayer, says Simon Barrow. In a world over-attached to achievement, we lose sight of the fact that what is really 'worth it' is often not conventionally 'productive'.

Pistol packin’ padres

Simon Barrow — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:55:29 +0100

Guns in church show that whatever is said about trust in God, it's really the threat of violence that we are trusting, says Simon Barrow. And this contradiction opens up a rich vein of satire against our patently false gods.

The artistry of faith in foment

Simon Barrow — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:20:25 +0100

A cruciform tree, a radiating Cain eyed by a simmering Abel, and a doveish floating vision: these are just a few of the images you will see as part of the vital but little-known Methodist Art Collection, says Simon Barrow.

Books, architecture, enlightenment... and global development

staff writers — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:26:20 +0100

A celestial atlas by Scottish amateur astronomer Alexander Jamieson, dating back to 1822, is a star item at this year's Christian Aid charity book sale in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is one of the largest sales of its kind in the world.

In The Loop... Fake Hawk Down?

Alan Wilson — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:33:09 +0100

Imagine a world of soundbite politics where the machinery of power is operated by vacillating professional politicians, out of their depth, jumping to the whims of ruthless, feral spin doctors. That, says Alan Wilson, is the film satire In The Loop

Dreaming an unexpected dream

Hannah Kowszun — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:57:41 +0100

How many assumptions do we make about other people, on a daily basis, for no other reason than experience, bigotry and lack of imagination? Hannah Kowzsun has her presets challenged by Susan Boyle.

Recovering wisdom from the desert

Simon Barrow — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:13:18 +0100

Theologian Janet Soskice has written a fascinating book about the discovery of one of the most ancient Gospel manuscripts. It reminds us that to understand the search for meaning in the present we have to value the past properly, says Simon Barrow.

Re:Creation is a dream realised

Andrea Stephens — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:06:21 +0100

The great tradition of the biblical oratorio lives on, says Andrea Stephens. Retired URC minsiter Derek Wensley has his full-length work Re:Creation performed at St John's Smith Square in April 2009.

Religulous ends up going in circles

Deirdre J. Good — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:34:53 +0100

Bill Maher's movie Religulous manages to laugh at nutty believers and caricature religion, but it doesn't actually tell us anything or indicate any learning, says Deirdre Good. It takes us in a circle - but not a hermeneutical one.

Watchmen, sin and salvation

Kevin Boyd — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:29:12 +0000

The film Watchmen directly asks what no other superhero movie has ever had the courage or audacity to posit, says Kevin Boyd. Is society actually worth saving?

Seeing towards the heart of things

Simon Barrow — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:42:55 +0000

In a recent lecture given at the Royal Academy of Arts, reports Simon Barrow, the Archbishop of Canterbury explored aspects of how icons are examples of the way in which in which divine energy is present in material reality.

Fairytale, myth and Slumdog reality

Alison Downie — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:08:00 +0000

There have been a vraiety of responses to the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire, says Alison Downie, including some quite dismissive ones. But what is written, she suggests, is that a life of integrity is its own reward.

Why Christians should celebrate Darwin

Denis Alexander — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:31:11 +0000

One of the deep mysteries of the early 21st century is why one set of Christians tries to persuade another set of Christians to reject the theory of evolution, says Denis Alexander. He suggests a positive perspective on faith, science and Darwin.

Waltz With Bashir

Vic Thiessen — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:54:29 +0000

Could any film be more timely? asks Vic Thiessen. Waltz With Bashir depicts an Israeli soldier in the Lebanon War of 1983 and combines deep psychological insights with a strong anti-war message.