Stage & Story

Looking for some books to stir your imagination? You're in luck. Dane Bundy explores the idea of a Christian imagination and then highlights 13 books that will deepen it!

Downcast when things seem to be going great? In this second installment in our series, Dane Bundy returns to Charles Spurgeon's essay ("The Minister's Fainting Fits") exploring the occasions a pastor may face discouragement and depression. Dane focuses on Spurgeon's first occasion: in the Hour of Great Success. Dane then highlights principles that apply both to pastors, artists, or parents.

Sometimes the Christian journey feels like war. It's because we are in a cosmic war! In the first installment of this series, Dane Bundy turns to Charles Spurgeon's essay ("The Minister's Fainting Fits") exploring the occasions a pastor may face discouragement and depression. Dane then makes application for you--whether you're a pastor, artist, or parent!

How should we think about the religious images and symbols in the art around us? Recorded live at Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks, Dane Bundy shares three ways that art engages with the Christian story. With a focus on movies, Dane looks at ways that religious imagery and symbols in movies interact in an inclusive, exclusive, or subversive way. See the episode notes for the Google Slides.

My favorite film by M. Night Shyamalan is The Village (2004). I keep returning to it again and again. Have you seen it? If not, go rent it. In this episode of the podcast, I explore The Village, looking at the ways it helps us understand the Christian Worldview. Get ready, we're going to dig into some theology as well.

Creativity in the Kingdom of God has a three-fold task: to delight, to discern, and to deliver. Over-emphasizing one of these three at the expense of the others can be dangerous. So let's dig into each of these tasks and seek to implement a balanced approach!

A story about Lincoln sent me on a pursuit to learn more about this great man. What did Lincoln believe about God? Did he believe in the God of the Bible or a god who was distant and disinterested, as some might attest? I hope the findings encourage you in your pursuit of faithful living.

What can the story behind Michelangelo's sculpture of David teach us about creativity and life? A great deal. The idea is simple: constraints lead to creativity. But no one likes limitations. So, we need tools to move forward and inspiration to fight for the beauty that lies in front of us.

Fear and doubt love to stand in the way of creativity. They make the road to creating beautiful things very difficult. So, how do we keep going when we feel unprepared or unworthy? Here's a clue: remember, we're not alone.

'First Reformed' was ranked as one of the Top 10 films of 2018 by a well-known Christian movie reviewer. Is this a great film for the thinking Christian? Is the filmmaker upholding or subverting the Christian faith? Pastor Brandon and Dane dive into these questions and more. (Warning: Spoilers in the episode.)