Artspace by Jenna Smith

Vol. 22, No. 04

Bill C-10: when art offends

It's pretty amazing that one small sentence could create a hullaballoo within the art world, but when art and politics collide, it tends to be messy business.

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Wise Reader by David Daniels

Vol. 22, No. 03

Ask for substantial Christian writing

If you care about the ongoing availability of solid Christian books, you may want to read the cover story, “How to Save the Christian Bookstore” in the April 2008 issue of Christianity Today magazine. Cindy Crosby, a former Christian bookstore owner, describes the “roller coaster ride” Christian retail has taken over the last 20 years.

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Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 22, No. 02

Over the Rhine equally at home in church or bar

Over The Rhine, the husband and wife team of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, have been doing things their own way since the release of their first album Till We Have Faces in 1991. Just try to slide their latest release, The Trumpet Child, into a category and you'll find yourself stalling.

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Artspace by Jenna Smith

Vol. 22, No. 01

Nudity doesn't scare this Christian artist

The human body is something of a stumbling block for the Christian community. Besides its obvious link to those infamous “sins of the flesh,” much of Christian theology has for centuries attributed far more importance to the soul and the mind than it has to the body, thus creating something of a divide between the spiritual and the material.

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Wise Reader by David Daniels

Vol. 21, No. 25

Something for every reader

Wise is the person who recognizes the value of drawing upon the experience and learning of others. As the biblical wisdom writers said: “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success” (Proverbs 15:22 NLT). Here are a few resources which leaders will find helpful in their daily journey.

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Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 21, No. 24

Orchestral performance lifts Bell to new heights

In November I had the good fortune to experience a unique concert: Steve Bell performing with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. The mood was quite different from the more intimate performances Steve usually gives, because every song seemed to rise to a gigantic stature. The concert was in support of Bell's new CD, Symphony Sessions, recorded with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

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Film Commentary by Jenna Smith

Vol. 21, No. 23

Confessions of a French film star

Let's talk French cinema, or at least one of French cinema's biggest stars: Gerard Depardieu.

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Book Review by Warren Schatz

Vol. 21, No. 22

An atheist goes to church

This book will certainly attract criticism. Critics will shout that “church worship is not directed towards atheists” and others will ask “how can an atheist can tell us how to worship God?”

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Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 21, No. 21

Brooks knows the blues

Unfortunately, it’s not surprising if you don’t know Danny Brooks. He’s been kicking around little venues, flying under the radar of the Canadian music business for years. And, as is so often the case with blues musicians, he’s been getting better with age. His voice is a bear’s growl poured through a shimmering trumpet; his testimony is one of clear vision and gratitude to our Saviour.

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Film Commentary by Peter Chattaway

Vol. 21, No. 20

The Golden Compass not so magnetic after all

Before it came out in theatres December 7, I used to tell people that I hoped the film version of The Golden Compass would be great—and I hoped it would flop.

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Wise Reader by David  Daniels

Vol. 21, No. 19

Author investigates humanitarian gift-giving catalogues

It is the Friday following the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and the merchants of Buffalo, New York are dreaming of a “black Friday.” No, they are not referring to a stock market meltdown, but rather to a bonanza in sales (this is reputed to be America’s single biggest shopping day) allowing them to finish the year in the black financially.

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Musical Routes by D. S. Martin

Vol. 21, No. 18

Christmas deserves to be celebrated with song

Even for those who don’t know Christmas like Christians know Christmas, it’s the one time of year celebrated with its own songs.

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Book Review by Gerry Bowler

Vol. 21, No. 17

Christmas meditations beautifully illuminated

Christmas is the planet's most prominent festival, celebrated with a mixture of materialism and sentimentality in most countries, and a holiday responsible for generating a sizeable chunk of the world's industrial economy. In Canada we spend at least a month out of each year in thrall to its spell and its demands. We battle crowds in the mall, peruse catalogues, attend school concerts, bake treats, stuff turkeys, trim trees, make lists, write letters, address envelopes, wrap presents and decorate our houses. Christmas is a hurtling roller-coaster of emotions and experiences packed into one end of the calendar. It is also the second-highest holy moment in the Christian year--a fact which moves not a few of us to pray, meditate, worship and rejoice.

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Musical Routes by D.S. Martin

Vol. 21, No. 15

Sophisticated songwriters make it all seem simple

Tim Alberts & Philip Cottrell: Wide Open Guelph, ON: Moonlit Music 2007 CDN $15

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Book Review by Larry Reynolds

Vol. 21, No. 14

The Spiritual Brain

This book is written by a Montreal based PhD neuroscientist in collaboration with well-known Christian journalist Denyse O'Leary of Toronto. It is an attempt to prove, through discussion and experimental data, that spiritual experiences are real and not just the hallucinations of disordered individuals.

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Book Review by Warwick Cooper

Vol. 21, No. 13

An uncommon approach to common prayer

Last year the Church worldwide commemorated the 450th anniversary of the martyrdom of archbishop Thomas Cranmer, who is credited with writing and compiling the Book of Common Prayer. He was burned at the stake in 1556.

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