Hope everyone had a good weekend. Here’s the Monday edition of The Morning Five ….
1. Superman Returns (Again)
Following the news of
Iron Man’s $100 million weekend, a report says that work on the follow-up to
Superman Returns will begin early next year. In an interview with
SCI FI Wire, the film’s own Clark Kent (actor Brandon Routh) said the script is coming together, and Bryan Singer will once again direct.
Superman Returns was hailed by many critics for parallels to Christianity and it’s overt use of Christian imagery and symbolism. We have a while to wait to see if the new film carries the same themes.
2. Is Newsweek Anti-American?
Newsweek magazine is getting some attention for their
latest cover story, which accompanied the cover-line “The Post-American World.” The article is actually an excerpt from a book by the same the name, but the seven-page feature posted on the
Newsweek website is lighting up with comments (many of which are more interesting than the actual story).
If the magazine was attempting to “stir the pot” (as one user suggests) they did a good job. The comments have exploded into arguments about religion, conservative vs. liberal politics, China and a laundry list of hot button topics. (Read with caution, some of the arguments get pretty heated.)
The magazine has also posted a double-whammy article that explores “
Why Oprah Winfrey left Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s church.” Nothing like starting your week off with some light reading.
3. Fired for Divorce
This story from
The New York Times looks at the morality code at one of America’s most prominent evangelical colleges, Wheaton, and why one professor is leaving the school because he is getting divorced.
The liberal arts school requires professors to sign an agreement about upholding biblical lifestyle standards, which includes not getting a divorce for reasons other than abandonment or adultery. Instead of being fired for ending his marriage of 34 years, one professor (who has been teaching at the school for 20 years), is resigning.
The issue has students and fellow university staff speaking out on both sides, and has sparked a debate on how Christian organizations should enforce tough issues like divorce and marriage.
4. The Beard That Gives Back
Philanthropy is a great thing; and living in the Bono-era, it’s always cool to see the ways high-profile people are setting examples by finding creative ways of helping those in need. But one German politician may be taking the trend
a little too far—he’s considering donating his beard to charity.
Kurt Beck, the head of the country’s Social Democrats, said that if his beard can be auctioned off for $1.5 million, he may shave it, and give the proceeds to the needy.
If this guy can over a million bucks for his beard, how much do you think Chuck Norris could get for his mustache?
5. The Mega-Church Liturgy
And finally,
Christianity Today has an
interesting article that looks at how traditional church practices and the liturgy are finding a home at some modern evangelical communities.