Recorded live at the 2018 Mount Aloysius College Charity Comic Con! Join us for a very special episode in which Chris Maverick of the Vox Popcast rejoins the show to discuss a fascinating take on the Superman mythology. Mark Millar’s “Red Son” version of the Man of Steel posits the question: what if Superman landed in the Soviet Union rather than Kansas? From this premise, Millar’s comic revises major characters: Lex Luthor becomes the quasi-heroic President of the United States, Batman becomes a Russian dissident terrorist, and Green Lantern’s ring is an artifact of the Roswell UFO crash. Red Son also ponders philosophical and political questions; about the nature of Communism and Capitalism, Superman’s innate goodness, and freedom versus happiness. In addition, the book tackles difficult theological questions about the incarnation of God among humankind. All this and much more is covered in this extra-special episode of the Sectarian Review Podcast.
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This episode explores the weird history and legacy of the John Birch Society. The conservative organization organized itself around a fervent anti-communisim and took its name from a missionary it saw as a martyr. The story of the real John Birch is told, and the show discusses how the Society that bears his name worships a false image of the man himself, who would have not agreed with the Society’s politics. How did the Birchers get kicked out of mainstream conservatism by William F. Buckley? Why did they hate Eisenhower? The episode also explores the conspiratorial nature of fringe politics in general and reflects on what the Birchers can teach us about Q anon, the Tea Party, and more paranoid styles of politics. Starring Jay Eldred and Jordan Poss!
A discussion about the all-time great Tarkovsky film Andrei Rublev. Learn about how Tarkovsky made a profoundly religious film in the Soviet system. How does this film reflect on the intersection between politics and religion? What special contributions to Christianity has the Orthodox tradition provided? Is Andrei Rublev the quintessential Christian Humanist film? C. Derick Varn returns for this enlightening discussion.
Topics: Has the Radical Left finished cannibalizing itself? Protestants and Radicals (not so different). A plug for Andrei Rublev as a Christian Humanist ideal. Tarkovsky’s career: a religious filmmaker in the Soviet system. The structure of Andrei Rublev the film. A plug for Derek’s forthcoming book of poetry. A brief history of the formation of the Russian state. Listener question from Twitter-follower Joe McClure. The specificities of Orthodox Christianity. There are several versions of this film and Martin Scorsese is involved. Tarkovsky’s philosophical ideas: Art exists within imperfection, Experience and knowledge must be gained individually, polished art inhibits personal experience, Learn to love solitude. Andrei Rublev’s plot The tradition of the jester in pre-Russia. Theophanes the Greek and the passing down of religious tradition The Passion instantiates in Russia An encounter with pagans The Orthodox discomfort with wrath and punishment “Oh my God, he made this under Khrushchev!” Using the atheist state to perpetuate the Gospel The Last Judgement Parallels between Andrei Rublev and Game of Thrones The Holy Fool enters and becomes Rublev’s conscience A Monk draws blood Theophanes challenging theology In the midst of art, theology through chaos Salvation through the Holy Fool Kiril’s broken return to God Difference between Bergman and Tarkovsky Bell-making as a transcendent act of faith through art Making art as a God-given role The return of the Holy Fool Cut to color and the actual work of Andrei Rublev Kierkegaard as philosophical grounding Redemptive work of art That balloon scene! Humans are both divine and fallen How do you film “faith?” Derek’s boredom with Leftism Leftist Communion?  Danny Anderson, Jordan Poss, and Jay Eldred discuss the complicated, sometimes appalling legacy of Jack Chick and his "Chick Tracts." What theological tradition do these comic books participate in? Where do they go off the rails? Is there anything laudable about Jack Chick's bleak theology? Special Treat: hang around for about the 1 hour 45 minute point to hear Danny's impromptu Alex Jones imitation!
Main Links: Chick Tract Evangelism on YouTube "The Imp" Chick Tract Parody LA Magazine Retrospective Jack Chick 'Official' Biography from Chick.Com "The Wiles of the Devil" by Charles Fuller "Meet Jack Chick," by Jimmy Akin https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/meet-jack-chick "The Death Cookie" http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0074/0074_01.asp "Dark Dungeons" https://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.asp "Somebody Loves Me" https://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0006/0006_01.asp MST3K style parody of "DD" https://www.fecundity.com/darkdung/darkdung.php?page=1 In addition, this episode introduces the first of an occasional new segment for the show: "Spider-Web Christianity" (provisional title). In these brief segments, we explore institutions that structure Christian Culture. What are the networks that drive Christian thought and conversation? To start us off, Danny talks about the publicity company Grace Hill Media. Spider-Web Links: Grace Hill Media website "Disney Sells Faith Side of Mira Nair's 'Queen of Katwe' with Whispers, Not Shouts" "Secular Hollywood Quietly Courts the Faithful" "The Secret Christian Message in This Weekend's Highly-Anticipated Horror Film"  In this episode of the Sectarian Review Podcast, Danny Anderson is joined by Peter Mommsen and Veery Huleatt for a discussion about the Bruderhof, an Anabaptist tradition with communities throughout the world. Learn about how this faith community lives out its ideals and rejects many of the spiritual trappings of Modernity. Work without hierarchy, common ownership, and communal worship. Also, how does this expression of the Christian faith compare with Rod Dreher's Benedict Option? A fascinating look into a fascinating faith.
Links for the deep thinkers among us: The official Bruderhof website: www.bruderhof.com/en Bruderhof Communities Podcast Homage to a Broken Man, by Peter Mommsen "What Does the Bruderhof Think of the Benedict Option?" by Peter Mommsen C-Span video of panel discussion about The Benedict Option featuring Peter Mommsen  Join Danny and C. Derrick Varn for an *in-depth* discussion of the the 1967 Soviet horror film, Viy (based on the Gogol short story). Danny and Derek talk about the cultural significance of Cossacks in Russian history, the Soviet film industry, Ideology, and Eastern Christianity. The film is freely available on YouTube if you want to watch beforehand, but this episode will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Soviet movies where witches terrorize seminary students who don't believe in God.
Link to full film (subtitled) |
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The Sectarian Review Podcast is a proud member of the Christian Humanist Radio Network. www.christianhumanist.org
The Sectarian Review Podcast is a proud member of the Christian Humanist Radio Network. www.christianhumanist.org