Sharon Jones

Annie Crawford

Jesse W. Baker

Donald W. Catchings, Jr.

Seth Myers

Annie Nardone

Theresa Pihl

Zak Schmoll

Jason Monroe 

Megan Joy Rials

Charlotte B. Thomason

John P. Tuttle

Jesse Childress

Clayton R. Conder	

Mary Lou Cornish

Joe Ricke

Ted W. Wright

Celebrating the Living Witness of People and Places of the Christian Faith Saints and sanctuaries are critical parts of the Christian experience. We learn from those who have gone before or walk alongside us. When the mission becomes exhausting, we search for havens where we can recover and find the encouragement we need to continue. This issue seeks to celebrate the Christian journey; it considers many people who have traveled in ways we can learn from and the places that supported them as they carried on. Contributors "Prelude"" Sharon Jones on a Moment of Brightness "Saints, Suffering, and Sanctuaries from Around the World: Japan, Korea, and China"" Seth Myers on Christian Heroes in Asia "Cathedral Cosmos: A Glance Heavenward into the Medieval Model": Jason Monroe on Avoiding Chronological Snobbery "From Jokers to Fools: The Fire of Notre Dame as a Call to Holiness": Megan Joy Rials on Modernity, Architecture, and Hope "Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo": Donald Catchings on Experiencing Sanctuary "The Holy Dead: Saints as Sanctuaries": Joe Ricke on Physicality and Spirituality "Sestina for Miracle-Seekers" Mary Lou Cornish on Overcoming False Piety "Shelter in the Vine: An Unexpected Sanctuary": Charlotte Thomason on a Spiritual Haven "Sanctuaries for the Suffering: Trauma and Imagination in Apologetics": Jesse Childress on Psychological Elements That Influence Worldviews "Fire and Water: Three Kwansabas": Theresa Pihl on Memories of Ugandan Martyrs "Adventure & Faith: Lessons from the Life of St. Brendan the Navigator and Bilbo Baggins": Ted Wright on Voyages and Ventures "Rest and Reemergence: Rivendell As a Sanctuary": Zak Schmoll on Healing and Pressing on "Unforsaken: Fantasy, Providence, and the Silence of God": Clayton R. Conder on Finding Clarity through the Strange "Ode to Francis": John Tuttle on a Saint to Study "But It’s Not Fair": Annie Nardone on Lessons from Boethius "The Offering of St. Ignatius": Annie Crawford on Enduring Pain for God’s Glory "The Kingdom of Kings and Queens: A Parable": Jesse Baker on a Transformational Encounter "The Voyage of the Titan": Zak Schmoll on Wanting Something Better Cover Art Our cover illustration was created by Chilean artist, apologist, and physician Virginia de la Lastra. The stained glass panel illustrates the beginning of the Great Struggle with the Fall and the saints which led the charge when the tide began to turn in the Great Reversal: Joseph, Mary, and John the Baptist. Spring 2022 Volume 5, Issue 1 270 pages

Celebrating the Living Witness of People and Places of the Christian Faith

An Unexpected Journal: Saints and Sanctuaries

Kyoko Yuasa

Philip Tallon

Will Daniels

Cameron McAllister

C.M. Alvarez

Daniel Asperheim

Joseph Holmes

Sheila Krygsheld

Roger Maxson

Timothy Nargi, Jr.

Hannah Zarr

The Impact of Film and Music Film and music are the language of modern culture. What messages are being conveyed in the movies and songs we love? An Unexpected Journal explores the truths embedded within popular media. Contributors "Serenity and the Theodicy of Joss Whedon" by C.M. Alvarez: An exploration of the themes of evil, free will, and the power of love in the 2005 film. "On Judging Movies" by Daniel Asperheim: A guide on film criticism and judging true value in movies. "A Sonnet to Music: The Language of the Soul" by Donald W. Catchings, Jr.: a poem on the beauty of music. "The Function of Absolute Music for Religious and Non-religous Minds" by Will Daniels: a reflection of the value and purpose of music focusing on the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. "Where are All the Great Christian Film?" by Joseph Holmes: A survey of the existing landcape in Christian filmmaking and suggestions for improvement. "The Value of Smuggled Theology in Music" by Sheila Krygsheld: an examination of the way music conveys meaning and deeper truths. "In Page and Film: Visions of Virtue in Harry Potter" by Roger Maxson: an analysis of the virtues illuminated in the Harry Potter series. "Lewisvaldi" by Seth Myers: a poem celebrating the joy of summer reflecting the work of C.S. Lewis. "Who Authors the Authority? A Discussion of Watchmen and Rightful Rule" by Jason Monroe: an examination of Watchmen's critique of authority. " Twenty Øne Piløts: In the Trenches " by Annie Nardone: on finding significance and meaning in modern music. "C.S. Lewis, Myth, and Filmmaking" by Timothy Nargi, Jr.: a reflection on the ability of C.S. Lewis to convey theological messages in his fiction and its implicatiaon for modern filmmaking. "Bridging the Gap" and "A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Persistence of Hope" by Zak Schmoll "The Witch and the Horror of Eternal Consequences" by Philip Tallon and Cameron McAllister: an examination of the way the portrayal of real evil in films provides real life lessons. "Analyzing the Fact/Value Dichotomy in Ready Player One: The Movie" by Charlotte B. Thomason: an analysis of the movie as a social commentary and cautionary tale. "Narnia Adapted to Film: the Triune Dance" by Kyoko Yuasa: a reflection of Lewis's search for the dance of the Triune in art. "Comedy-Drama in Film: Caught Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday" by Hannah Zarr: a reflection on the way dramedy helps viewers better perceive a Christian view of reality. Cover art by M.A. Listz Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2019: 300 pages.

Discovering the Hidden Messages in Movies and Songs from a Christian Perspective

An Unexpected Journal: Film & Music

Charlotte B. Thomason

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