2014-01-13T18:25:37-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com /feeds/topics/popular+culture/ http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/11966 2014-01-13T18:25:37-05:00 This powerful and dramatic film by British director Steve McQueen is based on the amazing true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War USA, Solomon Northup (played by Londoner Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. Damaris offers free downloadable video and text study resources for Christian groups. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10961 2013-05-22T16:04:38-05:00 The Damaris vision has always been to encourage people of all faiths and none to talk about the issues raised by contemporary popular culture, particularly films. In recent years we have been able to provide a whole host of free resources to help community groups think about films such as Life of Pi, Les Miserables and Song for Marion. We are working hard to ensure we can continue to provide free resources like this. Now we are launching Damaris Film Clubs to enable people to more easily use these free resources and get priority access to them. Damaris Film Clubs are suitable for all sorts of settings – community groups, workplaces, neighborhoods, churches or coffee shops. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10834 2013-05-13T10:19:34-05:00 Tim Stevens' book 'Pop Goes the Church' makes an inspiring case for leveraging pop culture to reach out to people in the language of their lives, with compelling biblical backing for this approach. He offers a new perspective that give relevance and impact to the church by using popular culture – stories from movies and music – to point people to the gospel. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10765 2013-05-06T11:41:23-05:00 The latest Damaris movie resources are available from today – for the film Quartet. The Damaris team writes: "A few months ago we were pleased to provide free official resources for the cinema release of the film Quartet – starring Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins. Now, in readiness for its release on DVD, Blu-ray and Download (available from 6th May 2013) we have created some more – together with three new downloadable video features." http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10393 2013-02-22T10:11:39-05:00 Latest Damaris materials which engage with popular culture include: - free community resources about Song for Marion - discussion guide on Beasts of the Southern Wild (which has now gone to DVD release) - analysis of Shadow Dancer http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10103 2013-01-05T09:32:53-05:00 Two months ago, there were perhaps six online articles about the spiritual themes within Les Miserables. And this despite the fact that it has been the world’s most popular musical, seen by many millions and translated into 21 languages. In this video by Crosswalk, cast members share their thoughts about the spiritual messages. Today, there are hundreds of blog posts and articles (as a Google search will show). http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/9671 2012-11-09T10:33:31-05:00 Lausanne's Cape Town Commitment "challenges us to be concerned about media awareness," writes Lars Dahle. "This includes helping people to 'develop a more critical awareness of the messages they receive, and of the worldview behind them'. In order to do this appropriately, we all need practical resources." Lars goes on to list a very useful range of questions to ask about news, documentaries, TV, movies, music, and much else. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/9183 2012-09-06T12:17:04-05:00 The film version of the musical will soon be released – and the story is so well known that we can start planning now. (Release date December 2012 N. America, January in Europe.) For this is a major opportunity. Les Miserables is not only the most most popular musical ever, but also a serious and deep story, with a hugely redemptive message. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/7103 2012-02-17T10:21:34-05:00 Culturewatch ministry Damaris has produced resources to bring out spiritual and life lessons embedded in two great new film releases: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. http://internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/6178 2011-11-08T15:11:13-05:00 Downton Abbey – what will happen next? How ever can we wait so long to find out? Why do we care? Because we are wired for storytelling. Because we actually feel we 'know' these characters, indeed we love them.