Dostoyevsky in Doses

I have been assigned “Crime and Punishment” on two occasions in my education. The first time was in 10th grade and the second was in graduate school. In tenth grade I didn’t even make it to the murder. In seminary I made it well into the second part, but Dostoyevsky is such a genius writer I was too disturbed by the first person narration from an insane man. I felt like I was going crazy. Maybe the rest of the class and the professor felt the same way because, as I recall, we never did anything with the book and I didn’t have to finish.

Christian Authority (Philemon)

This is that little letter of Paul’s (much like John’s second and third letters) that are a bit perplexing. One wonders how such a personal, narrowly focused correspondence could be expected to inspire and instruct the worldwide church throughout the ages over and above all the other letters floating around churches in the first century. OK, there is the hugely significant role it played in changing views on slavery, but that doesn’t continue to resonate as much in the portions of the church where slavery is already seen as wrong. Maybe the unique example of forgiveness is the take-away, but there might be other areas of scripture where this teaching is more compelling. Then there is the portion of Christian scholarship that (completely missing the point in a fun way) try to solve the puzzle of its conclusion historically. (Could Onesimus have gone on to become the Bishop of Ephesus who also happened to edit Paul’s letters together for circulation?)

1960s in Film

As would be expected and hopefully forgivable, I have seen fewer films from the decade of the Sixties than others that have come after I was old enough to catch films in their first run. Somehow though, I have seen more of what conventional wisdom regards as great in the decade than the Seventies or even to a degree the Eighties. Maybe that is because time ensures that the good survives while the fluff fades. Or, maybe I just agree more with the artistic sensibilities of the Sixties than the Seventies. In either case, this list may be a bit conventional:

Top Personal Films of the Sixties: 

30. The Manchurian Candidate
29. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
28. For a Few Dollars More
27. The Shakiest Gun in the West
26. The Magnificent Seven

"Hugo"

The experience of Martin Scorsese’s newest (and some imply, greatest) film will vary depending on what sort of moviegoer you are.

To the filmmaker, the film historian, and academic it will be amazing. It will tap into interests you already share with Scorsese—it is made with you in mind. Thus the eleven nominations from the Academy this year.

To the average moviegoer, looking for entertaining escapism or a fun bit of fantasy, it will be a mixed and fragmented experience compared to what you are accustomed. It will likely be both engaging and frustratingly distracted. Thus the poor performance at the box office.

The truth of the matter is that it should land somewhere in the middle.

"An Idiot Abroad"

This travel program is not your typical British Comedy. If is funny, but it also makes you think on many more levels than just wit. The premise is that Karl Pilkington, a rather insular and close minded Brit, is sent around the world to broaden his horizons. It is perhaps a great training tool that could or should be considered for the segment of church population enamored with the “mission trip.” In any case it couldn’t hurt. Three things that would be helpful for anyone wanting to go to another culture jump out right away: