Frank Sontag hosts a talk radio program on KKLA FM in Los Angeles, California. Last night, I had a discussion with Frank about the gospel and Macklemore’s performance of “Same Love” at the Grammys. I’ve been under the weather, so I apologize in advance for the froggy voice. Nevertheless, here it is. You can listen to it below or download it here. [audio:http://media.kkla.com/Podcasts/2709/2014012701.mp3]
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What Macklemore got wrong…and right
Last night on the Grammy’s, hip-hop artist Macklemore performed his song “Same Love” as Queen Latifah presided over a “wedding” ceremony for about thirty couples. Many of the couples being married were same-sex, and that was the point of the entire event—to show that there is no moral distinction between same-sex marriage and conjugal marriage. It’s all just the “same love.” The lyrics to Macklemore’s song took aim at Christians and their views on marriage. To be more precise, it takes aim at the God that Christians worship and offers another god in His place—a god that bears no resemblance to the God of the Bible. Nevertheless, these performers were…
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The backstory to “Alone Yet Not Alone”
Last week, an obscure song from an obscure movie was nominated for an Academy Award: “Alone Yet Not Alone” (listen below). The big surprise was not so much that it was from a little known independent movie but that it was from a Christian movie. Not only that, the song is sung by none other than evangelical mainstay Joni Eareckson Tada.
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What Phil Robertson Got Wrong…and Right
I have an article over at the ERLC blog explaining “What Phil Robertson Got Wrong…and Right.” Among the main things that he got wrong were his expressions about race. While I disagree with what Robertson says on this point, I am inclined to think that the generous interpretation of Rod Dreher and Joe Carter are nearer the mark on this matter than others have been. In any case no matter what our quibbles are with some of the things he said, Robertson was right on point in his assessment of the moral status of homosexuality. That’s the issue that caused A&E to let him go, and it is still the…
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Al Mohler and Russell Moore on CNN today
Al Mohler and Russell Moore appeared on CNN earlier today to talk about the Duck Dynasty dust-up. In spite of the stifling format of these interviews, I think they both did a fantastic job representing our side. Mohler is above, and Moore is below.
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Duck Dynasty Prediction
I predicted privately some months ago that it would only be a matter of time before the media sniffed out the views of the Duck Dynasty guys about sexuality. I also predicted that when they did, their reception in the popular culture would turn on a dime. Well, here we are. In a wide-ranging interview with GQ, the “Duck Commander” Phil Robertson spoke candidly about his views. In particular, he identified homosexual behavior as sinful. In response, the A&E network has suspended Robertson from the television series indefinitely with this explanation:
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Trailer for new movie about Noah and the flood
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Ohio State’s must-see Michael Jackson tribute
Ohio State University’s marching band did the coolest thing I’ve ever seen a marching band do during the halftime of Saturday’s game. In the midst of a musical tribute to Michael Jackson, they actually formed into a figure of Michael Jackson which moonwalked across the field. This is not to be missed. You can watch the highlights above. There’s a fast-motion version below. And at the bottom, you can watch the entire halftime show.
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God as the third rail of rock-n-roll
Back in the days when the earth’s crust was still hardening, I was a big fan of The Smashing Pumpkins. They were in the thick of the grunge scene–which was a whole new departure in rock music and which was all the rage for most of the 1990’s. After the grunge fad faded, the band broke up in 2000. Following a seven year hiatus, they got back together and have been trying to make a comeback. Lead singer Billy Corgan recently sat down for an interview with CNN, and he makes the astonishing claim that God is the “third rail” of rock-n-roll. He also gives a brief and trenchant critique…
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Why do people like Duck Dynasty?
In the video above, Laura Ingraham explains why she thinks “Duck Dynasty” is such a hit. I think she may not be too far off. My family enjoys the program for all the reasons she cites. We also love it because Louisiana is our home state, and the show is set in my wife’s hometown. Where else on television can you tune in and see live shots of the town you grew up in? (My wife spotted her high school in the season premier.) Also, there’s nothing like hearing some “y’alls” and “fixin’s” to make some expat Louisianans feel a little closer to home. So there’s a lot of nostalgia…