The Archive

Every essay.

Brett McCrackenTechnologyLiteratureTheology and Practicec.s. lewisjoyZadie SmithMarilynne Robinsonpleasure

Ruminations on Joy

Zadie Smith, C.S. Lewis, and the differences between joy and pleasure in the 21st century

Guest WriterFilm Reviews/Hollywood

Anna Karenina: The Uncontainable Joy of Redemption

The 2012 Anna Karenina film exists much closer to the book than most adaptations. Tolstoy captures humanity better than most; Anna Karenina is timeless.

Matthew Lee Anderson

Martin Luther on the Passions of Evangelical Politics - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

Evangelical politics are often moved by passion. Yet evangelicals should consider Martin Luther's advice on political engagement.

Brad LittlejohnTechnologycreationCreation CareGM foodFoodenvironmentagriculturenaturedominion

Genetically Modified Food: Mark Lynas and Your Inner Luddite

What has genetically modified food to do with Christian theology? Does genetically modified food fit with a Christian ethic?

Jeremy Mann

Affirmative Action: Too Little, Too Much, and on the Wrong Track - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

Affirmative action seeks to help the poor and the marginalized, and as Christians, we should be doing the same.

Ben SimpsonCulture

Death, Dying, and Evangelical Witness - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

Christians have a unique word to say on death, dying, and loss. Our teachings on death and dying need to be bolstered with action and compassion.

L. M. Sacasas

The Risks of a Heart Awakened: Emotional Detachment and Les Miserables - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

People laugh at violence and pain, but also at grace and redemption. This is a form of emotional detachment, seen in our reactions to Les Miserables.

Brett McCrackenFilm Reviews/HollywoodQuentin Tarantinotorturemovie violenceZero Dark ThirtyNewtownKathryn Bigelow

Is Depiction Endorsement? Filmmaker Responsibility in "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Django Unchained"

In a movie, does depiction equal endorsement? A look at the controversies in Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" & Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained."

Guest WriterFilm Reviews/Hollywood

"Les Miserables": Failed Musical, Successful Book

"Les Miserables" fails as a musical, though the book needs to be read. In fact, that's why the book needs to be read: the musical fails.

Matthew Lee AndersonJesusPolitical TheologyOliver O'DonovanLouie Giglio

Silence and the Passion: On CNN, Louie Giglio, and Me

Louie Giglio had a controversy about a sermon on homosexuality. Evangelical public figures should consider his silence as a way of following Jesus.

Brett McCrackenFilm Reviews/HollywoodSiegfried KracauerTom HooperVictor HugoMichael GersonLes Miserablesfilm theory

In Defense of "Les Miserables"

Tom Hooper's "Les Miserables" is criticized as often as it is lauded. Critic Brett McCracken takes a look at why it's OK that "Les Mis" moves us.

Matthew Lee AndersonUnityEvangelicalismintellectual empathypolemicskeller

Screwtape's Warning about Polemics and Evangelical Associations

Evangelical polemics need help. Screwtape has a warning, though, about what sort of associations evangelicals should seek and how our polemics should go.