Westminster Larger Catechism 🧵 Q. 143. Which is the ninth commandment? A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 1/

This is subjective but … Name three PERFECT movies. No argument. No explanation. Just three flicks you think are perfect. Here's mine: (1) Alien (2) Seven Samurai (3) Back to the Future

Maybe we’re all liberal, then? One of the more interesting aspects of this rather fluid definition of liberalism is that “cultural outlook” needn’t be a specific cultural outlook. Which is why when @ZacharyGarris and his sort of patriarchalist speak in this way, it’s important to be reminded that those who believe they’re immune from cultural bias are often the ones most susceptible to exactly that. For example, Garris’s perspective that women working outside the home is “feminism” has nothing to do with scripture or even the vast majority of church history. Instead, it’s largely derived from overly-romanticized Victorian sensibilities brought about by 19th century industrialization. So, according to this definition of liberalism, I can’t help but see that at least some aspects of his patriarchalism must be considered New Liberalism. Of course, all of this is why we should try not to define truth OR error by looking to culture. This is a good reminder if you’re looking at 2026 California or 1850 Georgia. This is a good reminder if your tendency is to adopt the culture of today or the remembered culture of a favored time period (mythologized or not). Similarly, it’s a good reminder if your tendency is to just counter-signal whatever is going on today, as if the measuring stick is simply a contrarian and grumpy attitude toward the society we live in now.

A good work finished. Rest in peace.

When you simply can’t help yourself and must make the occasion of a saint’s death a ghoulish opportunity for your crass activism.

If it tells you anything, Klara and the Sun is a top 30 novel for me. And I have zero interest in seeing the film.

Interestingly enough, I actually think the film has more intimate and relational moments than the novel. I don’t necessarily feel like they all land well, but it’s worth mentioning. Part of this is the intentional decision of both Herbert and Villeneuve to have the dialogue spoken in a way that evokes medieval sagas. As opposed to modern character dramas, rom-coms, etc. It’s not that the actors did poorly or the writing is bad, it’s that it’s a style that’s intentionally not naturalistic or modern.

This is exactly what I was thinking, even to the reference to Barth. Far too many responses to this controversy are little more than emotional outbursts of shock in defense of someone respected. But the way the original CT messaging sounded, it didn’t come across as serious historical work. And I doubt the actual author of the article is to blame for that. But I couldn’t confirm, so I don’t know.