Here’s a comic from Something Positive.
You should never accept candy from a stranger. However, Jesus isn’t a stranger. He is your creator. And he offers you something far better than candy.
Jesus Doesn’t Offer Candy
June 27, 2009
2 Comments | 
Webcomic Reviews | Tagged: Jesus, Something Positive, Webcomics | 
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Posted by Joel A Moroney
Christian Dungeons and Dragons
June 26, 2009
Dungeons and Dragons isn’t exactly popular amongst some Christians. The whole pagan gods and sorcery thing adds up to a double whamy of let’s-not-go-there. Others, as seen in this PVP strip, take a different approach to Christian gaming.
http://www.pvponline.com/2009/06/24/holy-roller/
For the record: I’ve played D&D. I can see how it may be a stumbling block for some. I view it as a matter of freedom and choose to see it as engaging with fiction. But that’s a wisdom decision for the individual.
2 Comments | 
Webcomic Reviews | Tagged: Christianity, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, PVP, Webcomic | 
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Posted by Joel A Moroney
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
June 25, 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Rated M
Starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox
Evokes cherished childhood memory? Check
Balance of humour and over the top action? Check
Giant robots shooting each other? Check
I’m going to be controversial here. I loved this movie. So why does everyone else seem to hate it?
1 Comment | 
Movie Reviews | Tagged: 1 John, Autobots, Decepticons, Megan Fox, Michael Bay, Movie Review, Shia LaBeouf, Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | 
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Posted by Joel A Moroney
Gamers Church
June 23, 2009
Say someone wanted to start a new religion. Say they wanted to worship the gods of computer games, gathering together with their Nintendo DS’ and share in fellowship together. Now, say that some representatives of organised religion got upset and wanted them to stop. What would happen next? Ctrl+Alt+Del has been there, done that.
Leave a Comment » | Webcomic Reviews | Tagged: Ctrl Alt Del, Religion, Video Games, Webcomics | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
The Gossip: Heavy Cross
June 22, 2009
It’s no secret that life in this world can be hard. Sometimes days, weeks, years can go past and you wonder to yourself “is this all worth it?” The world is so full of pain and hurt and suffering. There’s got to be a way out. There’s got to be a survival mechanism. There’s got to be a way to make this life bearable.
To stay on top of things is this world is impossible to do on your own. The pressure is too much. But maybe, just maybe, two people could do it. Maybe if I had someone with me, a boyfriend or girlfriend, whatever. Maybe love is the key to salvation. Maybe love will save the day. As it says in The Gossip’s song Heavy Cross, “It takes two. It’s up to me and you to prove it.” But will love really save the day?
Leave a Comment » | Music Reviews | Tagged: 1 John, Heavy Cross, Love, Music Review, The Gossip | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Year One (2009)
June 19, 2009
Year One (2009)
Rated M
Starring Jack Black and Michael Cera
Are you:
- Easily wound up about historical inaccuracies in film?
- Wishing that Jack Black would retire his rock and roll ladies man character and do something different?
- Someone who thinks poo jokes are not funny?
- Against any attempts to use the Bible in comedy?
Do you fit into one or more of those categories? Then let me save you 2 hours of your life. Do not see Year One.
Leave a Comment » | Movie Reviews | Tagged: Abraham, Bible, Jack Black, Michael Cera, Movie Review, Year One | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Shortpacked and the Deadbeat Dad
June 17, 2009
Shortpacked is a webcomic that quite often deals with Christianity and Christian pop culture. In a comic this week, we see one possible interpretation of the virgin birth. It’s pretty funny, but I’m glad it isn’t true. It would throw all kinds of things into chaos if Jesus wasn’t sent to earth on purpose. Instead he was promised from the start that he would come to deal with sin. You know you were expected when the entire creation was created for you and by you (Check out Colossians 1:16).
Still, pretty funny!
Leave a Comment » | Webcomic Reviews | Tagged: Colossians, God, Jesus, Shortpacked, Webcomic | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Help Me Name My New Computer
June 17, 2009A few weeks ago, The Beast died. The Beast was my first desktop PC I bought when I moved out of home. He had done me well over the last few years, but in the days leading up to his death, I could tell it was time to move on. He was struggling to perform simple tasks and really, really struggled when I asked him to do something complicated like creating graphics or making movies. Last week, I placed an order for a new machine. I wanted to make sure that everything inside the box would cope with the work out I wanted to give it. I paid so much attention to the insides, that I didn’t really put any consideration into what it would look like.
23 Comments | Fun | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Colour Changing Frog Worshipped
June 10, 2009
People don’t really need much of an excuse to worship the created rather than the creator, do they?
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Colour Changing Frog, God, India, Worship | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Eye Witness Book 1
June 9, 2009
Eye Witness Book 1
by Robert James Luedke
How much evidence would you need to believe in something? Would second hand sources be sufficient or would you need an eye witness account? If you could read a hand written account of the death of Jesus from someone who was there, would that be enough to commit yourself to Christ? That’s the question posed by Luedke’s graphic novel Eye Witness.
2 Comments | Comic Reviews | Tagged: Eye Witness, Graphic Novel Review, Jesus, Robert James Luedke | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
The Chaser’s War on Sick Kids
June 6, 2009
Much has been made in the last couple of days of The Chaser’s recent satire on the Make A Wish Foundation. It’s not often the Prime Minister of Australia calls a press conference to condemn the actions of an ABC comedy show. The Chaser team have never been shy when it comes to controversy, but have they gone too far this time?
4 Comments | TV Reviews | Tagged: ABC, Cancer patients, Make A Wish Foundation, Mark Fennell, Satire, Sick Kids, The Chaser, The Chaser's War On Everything | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
The Prisoner Remake
June 5, 2009
I just can’t wait for this. The original Prisoner series is an absolute classic. And every time I see anything coming out of this production, I drool a little bit. The themes of identity and freedom are always worth exploring. And I promise not to care if there’s no weather balloon going around killing people. I swear.
View the trailer here.
Leave a Comment » | Misc. Culture, Uncategorized | Tagged: Ian McKellen, Jim Caviezel, The Prisoner | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Is Supernatural For Atheists?
June 4, 2009
I’ve never seen the show Supernatural. I wasn’t a fan of Jensen Ackles on Smallville so didn’t follow him along to his new show. Recently the fourth season finished with a significant appearance by Satan. Is this show worth watching? Should I get my hands on the DVD’s for review?
There’s an article on i09 asking the question if Supernatural is a show for atheists or people who believe in God. Well worth reading.
1 Comment | Misc. Culture | Tagged: Atheists, io9, Jensen Ackles, Satan, Supernatural | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Regina Spektor: Laughing With
June 4, 2009
It takes a lot of faith to not believe in God.
There’s a saying that there are no atheists in fox holes. That when life is at it’s hardest, people turn towards their maker. At that moment, when you’re at you’re lowest point, no body’s laughing at God.
4 Comments | Music Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged: Laughing With, Music Review, Philippians, Prayer, Regina Spektor | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Is Star Trek a Religion?
June 3, 2009
In the Australian census we have every 7 years, more and more people register their faith as “Jedi”. But I haven’t heard of anyone worshipping at the altar of Shatner.
Leave a Comment » | Misc. Culture | Tagged: Religion, Star Trek | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Angels & Demons (2009)
June 3, 2009
Angels & Demons (2009)
Rated M
Starring Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor
Science and religion. More often than not they’re seen as bitter enemies. Some would even want to say that science has proved there is no God and following religion is a waste of time, a pursuit for stupid people. This tension is at the heart of Angels and Demons. In the wake of the death of the pope, an old enemy of the Roman Catholic Church has returned and is threatening to blow up the Vatican. It’s up to symbolologist, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), to save the day and solve the mystery of the Illuminati.
2 Comments | Movie Reviews | Tagged: Angels & Demons, Ewan McGregor, Faith, Movie Review, Ron Howard, Science, Tom Hanks | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Sermon: Ephesians 3
June 2, 2009We’ve been looking at the book of Ephesians at St Luke’s this term. This week we looked at Ephesians 3, especially focussing on the phrase “the mystery of Christ”.
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Posted by Joel A Moroney
Happy 1st Birthday Pop Culture Christ!
May 29, 2009
Or Welcome to Pop Culture Christmas!
It’s hard to believe, but Pop Culture Christ has been up and running for a whole year. What started as an excuse for me to scribble down some sermon illustrations has become an outlet for me to discuss two of my favourite things: Jesus and pop culture.
In the last year, I’ve published 181 articles. I’ve been asked to provide articles at Fervr, written a guest post at Christ and Pop Culture, and asked for an interview on Triple J radio. I’ve begun the Master List and filmed a series of Fervr Presents vodcasts. And I’ve got even more ideas for Year 2. Because of Pop Culture Christ, I find I can’t even walk down the street without thinking of reviews and articles. And that’s a good thing. As Christians, we need to be more aware of the world we live in and be able to turn everything towards proclaiming Jesus. Pop Culture Christ has been great tool for me to hone these skills. I hope it’s been helpful for you too.
What would you like to see more on here? What would you like to see less of? More reviews? More cultural observations? More video or audio? Let me know in the comments.
Here’s looking forward to a big Year 2!
Top 10 Posts for Year 1(Please note: I believe that most of these posts are in the Top 10 because of people searching for images. I’m praying that people who come across the site looking for images or movie reviews will hear the message of Jesus through my posts)
- Fight Club Rules
- Supergirl and the Fall
- Cliffhanger
- The Simpsons: The Father, The Son, And The Holy Guest Star
- Spider-Man 3
- Prince Caspian
- The Gospel According to Ricky Bobby
- Flanders’ Book of Faith
- Alice Cooper: Along Came a Spider
- Annoying World Youth Day Laws
And here are 10 posts that I have some fondness for (in no particular order):
- The Shack
- Greenday: Jesus of Suburbia
- Vampiric Obsession
- Ben Folds: Not The Same
- Do You Worship Chocolate or Coffee?
- Metro Station: Shake It
- Summer Bay Christianity
- Thank God You’re Here
- Samedi Energy Drink
- Where’s Wally and the Old Testament
Do you have a favourite post?
2 Comments | End of Month Review | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
V is Coming!
May 22, 2009
I remember seeing the original V mini series when I was a kid. The use of alien visitors to explore the Nazi rise to power and the abuse of authority and trust was striking. There’s a television remake of V coming out this year that I’m very excited about. And after seeing the trailer, I’m even more excited. Because it looks like it will be dealing heavily with themes of faith and worship. This is must see for me. It better be good. The trailer is after the jump.
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Faith, Mini Series, Sci Fi, Television, V | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
Hey! Nietzsche! Leave Them Kids Alone!
May 21, 2009
Hey! Nietzsche! Leave Them Kids Alone!
by Craig Schuftan
Have you ever met an emo? Have you ever walked past one in the street or sat down with one for a conversation? Have you ever wondered what’s going through their head, why they think and feel the way they do? What is an emo any way?
Craig Schuftan has thought about these things. And he’s cracked the code. He’s worked out it’s all connected – from David Bowie to Smashing Pumpkins to Weezer to My Chemical Romance. The key to understanding? The Romantic poets of the 19th century. And now it all makes so much more sense.
Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews | Tagged: Craig Schuftan, David Bowie, Emo, Hey Nietzsche Leave Them Kids Alone, My Chemical Romance, Romantics, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer | Permalink
Posted by Joel A Moroney
