What's similar when sharing good news about Jesus and good news about your new favorite band? Guests Roni Z and Anna Jane Perrey join the show to talk about the ups and downs of evangelism and share our testimonies about the gospel of BTS and K-Pop.
Defining good news and evangelism. Worst evangelistic practices (Christian and pop culture). Resistance. Motivations. Trusting the messenger. The Gospel of BTS according to Roni, Chris, and Anna Jane. Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations. Altar Call. Credits.
K-Pop Playlist | Spotify | Apple Music
BTS Playlist | Spotify | Apple Music
"The Triumph of BTS" Rolling Stone article
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CCM Correspondent Grey Stepp rejoins the show to discuss Christian music that features Piece of $h!t Theology (or POST).
William Paul Young, Augustine, and Calvin. 90s & 00s music. Caedmon's Call's "Thankful" - the most Calvinist song ever. Skillet's "Gasoline" - burning away the self. Paramore's "We Are Broken" - can we be fixed? Quick thoughts on Sixpence, FIF, dc Talk, Reliant K, Johnny Q. Public, Grammatrain, and Steve Taylor. Secular self-hatred. Positives of the negative. Original goodness. Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations. Altar Call. Credits.
POST Christian playlist | Spotify | Apple Music
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The infernally excellent game Hades is about conquering death, a topic that resonates with the story of Christ. In this quick (speedrun?) Pop Culture Homily episode, Chris looks at different ways of making peace with the inevitable.
Intro. Hades II Technical Test reactions. Hades in Scripture. Escaping death (or not). Happy Sisyphus. Christ's Harrowing of Hades. Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations. Altar Call. Credits
Diving Deeper "What the Hell?" videos Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
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Swiftie Supreme Kara Wiens helps kick off season 3 by comparing Taylor's eras when it comes to relationships and the up and down phases of faith.
Intro (and apology). Guest intro. Talking TSwift in 2024. Tortured Poets Department first reactions. Our histories with Taylor. Simplistic divisions. Three eras for her and us: Order, Disorder, and Reorder. Loving the journey. Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations. Altar Call & credits.
Songs Discussed:
"Love Story"
"Daylight"
"You're On Your Own Kid"
"Never Grow Up"
Chappell Roan, "Good Luck, Babe!" (Kara's Consolation)
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A short Pop Culture Homily on the importance of awe and wonder in gaming and TV, as well as in the spiritual life. I take a quick look at how Moses' experience of God at the burning bush is similar to the best experiences in Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.
Come back for a full episode in two weeks, if the Lord wills it.
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Musician and former worship leader Grey Stepp joins the show to talk about his experiences in the worship music industry.
Guest intro. Brief history of popular Christian music. What makes music Christian? The shift to praise and worship. Grey’s story. Praise for profit. Performing artist vs. worship leader. How worship forms us. My weird tradition. Strengths of congregational singing. Pop culture consolations. Altar call and credits.
Links
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Hello there! For May the Fourth, Joe Quigley joins the show to discuss The Mandalorian and how various characters' worldviews are shaped by fundamentalism. Is this the (only) way to be Mandalorian?
Guest intro. Reactions to The Mandalorian season 3. Defining Fundamentalism. Strengths of Fundamentalism - identity and oppression. Mandalorian History. The Flaws of Fundamentalism - silly and exclusive traditions. Mandos Moving Forward. This is A Way: After Fundamentalism. Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations. Altar call. Outro.
Links
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Season 2 begins! Lent, Good Friday, and death. Personal experiences & processing with playlists. Sufjan Stevens “Fourth of July.” Ash Wednesday - we're all gonna die. The complicated emotions of grief. Jason Isbell “Elephant.” No one dies with dignity. Stevie Wonder "As." Love endures. Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations. Come to Jesus Moment. Outro.
Remember You Are Beloved Dust playlist: Spotify | Apple Music
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Season 2 of Pop Culture Pastor starts in one week on April 6! Spread the good news!
Elder Millennial Music Correspondent Blake Jackson joins the show again to discuss our favorite music of the year. How did our favorite artists turn to love, community, nature, and dance to find joy in these (still) difficult times?
Artists mentioned: Jeff Parker. Alabaster Deplume. Alex G. The National. Animal Collective. Spoon. Taylor Swift. Harry Styles. Kendrick Lamar. Pusha T. Vince Staples. Kenny Beats. The 1975. Jack Antonoff. The Smile. Weyes Blood. Beyonce. Florist. Friendship. Angel Olsen. Big Thief. Gang of Youths.
Songs played: United in Grief. Dreamin of the Past. The 1975. I’m in Love with You. Free in the Knowledge. It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody. All the Good Times. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. Spud Infinity. Forbearance. Goal of the Century. The Man Himself.
Want to be on the final Pop Culture Consolations & Desolations episode of the year? Record a voice memo and email to popculturepp@gmail.com
Songs of 2022 | Spotify | Apple Music
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