Students in my “Evangelism in Cultural Context” class went out into the neighborhood around the college a couple of weeks ago to talk to people about Christian faith. The questionnaire (put together the previous week) asked about: (a)    people’s present spirituality (b)   what they knew already about Christianity and (c)    what might cause them to [...]

Not everybody who enjoys The Lord of the Rings knows that J.R.R.Tolkien described it as “a deeply religious and Catholic work.” This booklet draws out the Christian underpinnings of the story. Timed to coincide with the release of the third movie in 2003, but intriguing wherever Tolkien’s work is loved.

This DARE Booklet is available for sale [...]

Despite its many critics, The Simpsons is, in truth, a very moral program and, arguably, a very religious one as well. Certainly its episodes are full of references to God, Christianity, the after-life and ethics. A closer look at The Simpsons and religion may well illustrate some important issues concerning the place of faith in North American popular culture.(

“Jesus Christ, Superstar, do you think you’re what they say you are?” Thus goes the chorus of the title song of Jesus Christ, Superstar. Who indeed is Jesus? For many, both inside and outside the church, Jesus is known by name, but his identity is still under dispute. Spoken or unspoken theological assumptions are made [...]

Esquire magazine called The Truman Show the movie of the decade, and, in spite of the lack of Oscars it received, I can understand the claim. If you haven’t seen it, it’s the story of one man, Truman Burbank, who has been the central character in a 24-hour a day TV show since the day he was [...]

In this thoroughly researched booklet, VanderSpek traces the history of U2 from the beginning to the present, pointing out the changing role of faith in their music through the decades. In particular, he shows how the Holy Spirit (frequently described as “she”) plays a recurring part, and how a love which is more than human [...]

Robin Williams’ movies frequently raise profound questions–about personhood, freedom, forgiveness, healing, and the search for a sense of home. This booklet traces how these themes have developed through Williams’ career, and then shows how the teaching of Jesus from two thousand years ago speaks to them.

This DARE Booklet is out of print and not available [...]