Sunday Morning Matinee

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56: Unbreakable Feb 05, 2019

Show notes

In anticipation of the newly released Glass, Adam and Matt are joined by Yale Divinity School professor Greg Mobley to discuss comics, stories, and M. Night Shyamalan’s first installment in his superhero trilogy, Unbreakable. In our first segment, the group discusses the theological themes of Unbreakable. Conversation centers around the formative power of stories and pressing questions of strength and weakness. In the second segment, the conversation turns to how Unbreakable might intersect with the Fifth Sunday of Epiphany, February 10th. Spending time with the story of Isaiah’s call, the discussion centers on identity and mission. Finally, in the postludes, Matt reflects on Rent and Adam struggles with Huck. Before you see Glass, spend a little time with Unbreakable and your friends at Technicolor Jesus.

55: Roma Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

This morning the Academy Award Nominees were released. Leading the way is Alfonso Cuaron’s masterpiece Roma. On this week’s Technicolor Jesus, Adam and Matt discuss water, work, and Roma. In our first segment, Adam and Matt discuss the theological themes of Roma. With potent images of water, fire, birth, and work, Roma is a deep subject for theological inquiry. In the second segment, Matt and Adam discuss how Roma might intersect with the third Sunday of Epiphany, January 27th. Spending time with Nehemiah and Paul, the discussion centers on preaching and bodies. Finally, in the final postludes, Matt gets postmodern and Adam gets mushy. If you needed a reason to watch Roma (it’s brilliant, you should watch it), here it is. When you are finished come and join the conversation.

#54: Die Hard Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

On this special Christmas Eve edition of Technicolor Jesus, Adam and Matt talk with Jennifer Howe Peace about masculinity, the baby Jesus and Die Hard. In the first segment, Justification by Faith, Matt, Adam and Jenny discuss what Die Hard has to do with life, ministry, theology and the world. Specifically, is Die Hard a Christmas movie? And what exactly makes a Christmas movie? Is it some semblance of the gospel or a different set of semantic tropes? In the second segment, Preaching to the choir, the crew asks how Die Hard might aid the understanding the lectionary texts for Christmas Eve. Does John McClane and Hans Gruber have anything to offer to our understanding of Christmas? Finally, in the last segment, Postludes, Matt endorses his library and Adam gushes about Roma. Yippee Kay Yay and Hark the Herald Angels Sing! It’s time for Technicolor Jesus!

53: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Technicolor Jesus, Matt and Adam talk death, the wild west, advent, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. In our first segment, Justification by Faith, Matt and Adam discuss what Joel and Ethan Coen’s new film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs has to do with life, ministry, theology and the world. Released on Netflix, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs tells six separate stories of the wild west connected thematically by questions of life, death, and human agency. In the second segment, Preaching to the Choir, Matt and Adam ask how The Ballad of Buster Scruggs might aid the understanding the lectionary texts for Advent 2, Year C. Specifically, Zechariah’s song provides a rich background for talking about promise, finitude and potential. Finally, in the last segment, Postludes, Adam rants about the NSA’s favorite elf and Matt reflects on the movie that got away. So get out your cowboy hats and spurs, it’s time for another episode of Technicolor Jesus.

#52: Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love the Bomb Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

On this week’s Technicolor Jesus, Matt and Adam talk about deterrence, peace, kingship and Stanley Kubrik’s 1964 masterpiece, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. In the first segment, Matt and Adam talk about what Dr. Strangelove’s themes of violence, sex, and politics has to say about our theology, our ministry and our work within the world. In the second segment, Preaching to the Choir, Matt and Adam discuss what Dr. Strangelove has to do with the lectionary Sunday of November 25, the Reign of Christ Sunday. Finally, in the segment, Postludes, Adam talks about tacos and Matt has some movie recommendations.

#51: Election Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

On the eve of the US midterm election, Adam and Matt talk with Duke Divinity School professor, Jerusha Matsen Neal about honesty, authenticity, destiny, and Alexander Payne's 1999 film, Election. In the first segment, Justification by Faith, the group discusses what Election has to do with life, ministry and the world. The conversation revolves around ideas of election, the trauma at the heart of the movie, and how our deepest desires manifest in terrible ways. In the second segment, Preaching to the Choir, the group discuss the intersections of Election and the lectionary passages for October 11th. In the final segment, Postludes, Matt talks about video games and Adam talks about genies. If the midterm results did little to quell your anxiety, well then distract yourself with a little Technicolor Jesus!

#50: Creed Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

Fifty! On this special fiftieth episode of Technicolor Jesus, Matt and Adam welcome back UPenn University chaplain Chaz Howard to talk about Ryan Coogler’s 2015 film, Creed. In the first segment, Justification by Faith, the discussion revolves around Philadelphia, race, and what it means to fight for something you believe in. In the second segment, Preaching to the Choir, Matt, Adam and Chaz discuss the intersection of Creed and the lectionary passages for this coming Sunday, October 28. Finally, in the last segment, Postludes, Matt can’t tell fact from fiction and Adam can’t stop listening to Jason Isbell.

#49: Mary Poppins Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

On this episode Matt and Adam welcome back Pastor and writer Becca Messman to discuss the classic movie, Mary Poppins. In the first segment of the show, the group considers the value of play and laughter and the angelic person of Mary Poppins. In the second segment of the show, the group discusses the lectionary passages for October 14th, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost. With the theme of lament and woe evident in this week’s lectionary the discussion turns to Mary Poppin’s model of prophet and High Priest. Finally, in our last segment, Adam promotes something so stupid it is smart and Matt rests softly in the mellow tones of a baking show. This is a good episode, practically perfect even.

#48: Midnight Special (LIVE at Mo Ranch) Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Technicolor Jesus, Matt and Adam are LIVE at Mo Ranch in the hill country of central Texas. After leading a retreat on the theological power of movies, Matt and Adam are joined by retreat guests to talk about Jeff Nichols’ 2016 sci-fi superhero movie, Midnight Special. In the first segment, Adam and Matt talk about how Midnight Special defies typical movie conventions to say something larger about family, sacrifice, and transcendence. The audience is then invited to ask questions and provide comments about the movie. In the second segment, Adam and Matt turn their attention to the lectionary passages for this week, the 18th Sunday in ordinary time. After a quick discussion of Esther and responsibility, the hosts dig into the Mark passage and its implications for ministry and care. Finally, in the final segment Adam talks BBQ and Matt retrieves a forgotten tradition. Special thanks to Mo Ranch for their hospitality and to all our guests for their participation.

#47: Won't You Be My Neighbor? Sep 11, 2018

Show notes

Annnnnnnnnnd...We are back! After a summer vacation, Matt and Adam return for another season of Technicolor Jesus. This fall they will talk to old and new friends about movies, theology, ministry and our world. On the first episode of the season, Matt and Adam welcome back Old Testament Professor, Laurel Koepf-Taylor to discuss the new Fred Rogers documentary, Won’t you be My Neighbor? In the first segment of the show, the group considers the model of Fred Rogers for ministry today and how sincerity, earnestness, and care might infuse the work of ministry whether it be worship or advocacy. In the second segment of the show, the group discusses the lectionary passages for September 16th, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. With the theme of teaching evident in this week’s lectionary the dicussion turns to Roger’s role as a teacher and what we might learn from his work. Finally, in our last segment, Adam promotes a tiny desk concert and Matt suggests another podcast. After a summer of rest, Adam and Matt have jumped back on the trolley. Won’t you join us, neighbor?

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