Culture Comments
ELCA Communication staff and networks review, evaluate, and comment on films, books and other media events  in our culture with religious implications.

"The Golden Compass"  Movie, 2007

• Review of "The Golden Compass"
  by the Rev. Charles Austin, well-known pastor and news reporter
• "Christianity Today" review by Jeffrey Overstreet
• Review by Fred and MaryAnn Brussat, commentators on culture

"The Ten Commandments"  Animated Movie, 2007

• Review of "The Ten Commandments"
  by John R. Brooks – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Communication Services
       For more information about "The Ten Commandments" go to: 
       http://www.epicstoriesofthebible.com/

"Saving Grace" Television show, on TNT, 2007.

• Lord Teach Us to Pray, sermon on the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Luke 11: 1-13, July 29, 2007, by The Rev. Dayle A. Malloy, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

"The Da Vinci Code" Book 2003; Movie, 2006

• ELCA Seminary Professors, Film Reviewer Comment on "The Da Vinci Code"
  ELCA news release.
• Up for Discussion: The Da Vinci Code Movie.  Downloadable discussion guide about the movie, by Ed McNulty, available from Augsburg Fortress.
• Deciphering the Da Vinci Code, June 1 episode of the "Speaking of Faith" radio show.
• The Christ Code Sermon by the Rev. Rebecca L. Eisenhart, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
• "Churches' openness could calm the hype," commentary in The Philadelphia Inquirer by Lutheran seminarian Andrew Ruggles
• Decoding The Da Vinci Code. Audio CD and free study guide by Luther Seminary professors, Sarah Henrich, Lois Malcolm, Matt Skinner, and Mark Throntveit.
• Truth Is Stranger than Fiction: The Da Vinci Code and Early Christianity article about the book by Brad Kirkegard in The Journal of Lutheran Ethics.
• Da Vinci's Mystery: Separating Truth From Fiction. 25-minute DVD by David Lose, Matthew Skinner and Sarah Henrich of Luther Seminary.
• Up For Discussion: The Da Vinci Code, downloadable study guide about the book, by Matthew L. Skinner, produced by Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
• The Da Vinci Code: A Cultural and Religious Phenomenon article by the Rev. Martha Stortz, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
• The Virgin Mary after Dan Brown and Mel Gibson: She’s far from her home in the Gospels story by Jon Sweeney in The Lutheran magazine.
• Searching for Truth in The Da Vinci Code story by David Grafton in The Lutheran magazine.
• Hollywood translates The Da Vinci Code, background information and resources from ReligionLink.org.
• An Orthodox Response to The Da Vinci Code Resources from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
• The Da Vinci Code Study Guide by Teresa Blythe and Ed McNulty.  Order and download from the PCUSA Web site.
• The Da Vinci Code feature story on the May 12, 2006 episode of Religion and Ethics Newsweekly program on PBS.
• A Christian Response to The Da Vinci Code, session outlines from an 11-week course at Nashotah House Theological Seminary.
• Cracking The Da Vinci Code article by Margaret M. Mitchell, September 2003 issue of "Sightings," from the Martin Marty Center.
• Jesus Decoded Web site and resources by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Breaking The Da Vinci Code commentary on Christianity Today Web site
• The Da Vinci Code, details of the book's characters and story from Wikipedia

"United 93"  Movie, 2006

• Reflection on "United 93"
  by John R. Brooks – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
     United 93 discussion guide will help adult small groups talk about issues
     and think through reactions to the movie, all from a faith perspective.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe"  Movie, 2005

• "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Discovery Guide,"
  by staff at Bethel Lutheran Church.
• Narnia: A Multmedia Festival. C.S. Lewis: the Man, His Art, and His Faith. A weekly seminar webcast November 15 - December 13, 2005; daily e-mail meditations starting November 7, 2005; sponsored by Trinity Wall Street.
• Narnia resources for church outreach and education.
• Educators' materials from Walden Media.
• Official Narnia site from Walt Disney and Walden Media.
• "The Magic Never Ends: The Life and Work of C.S. Lewis." by John Ryan Duncan.
• Enter the Wardrobe - Narnia (DVD) or Can Fantasy Carry the Gospel? (Audio CD)
  by Luther Productions (Luther Seminary) Resources for personal and group study.
   

"The Passion of the Christ"  Movie, 2004

• Review by The Rev. Eric C. Shafer, Director, Department for Communication
• Recommendations by the Consultative Panel on Lutheran/Jewish Relations
• Resources for viewing the film, compiled by the staff of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
• Up for Discussion discussion guide for adult small groups by Craig R. Koester downloadable from Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
• Reflection guide offered by the National Council of Churches USA to help Christians think through the issues raised by the film
• "Faith Lens" youth Bible study
• Meditation created by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, featured in the April 2004 issue of The Lutheran 
• Four Perspectives from the Journal of Lutheran Ethics

"The Gospel of John" Movie, 2004

• Comments by pastors of the ELCA 

"Luther: Rebel, Genius, Liberator" Movie, 2003

• Martin at the Multiplex from The Lutheran magazine.
• Comments by the Rev. Michael Rothaar, ELCA pastor
• Book by Dr. James Nestingen."Martin Luther: A Life." written to accompany the movie

"Left Behind"  Books and movies, late 1900s and early 2000s

• "Up for Discussion" Study Guide by Ann Hafften and Barbara Rossing.
• Pastors react to the theology in online discussions
• Related study resources suggested by resource center directors
• Book by Professor Barbara Rossing, "The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation"
• The End of the World is Near...Or is it?  June 2006 interview with Barbara Rossing on the Grace Matters radio program.