In this series we take our third look at the ever popular “Theology and Pop Culture: The Gospel according to…”

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The Gospel according to Narnia
June 6, 2006

Mark Gedne

In the “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” C.S. Lewis wrote what he called, following his friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, a “true myth.” Come join in a conversation about the ”truth” behind the fiction in Lewis’ famous children’s story.
Mark Gedney is an Associate Professor at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, where he chairs the Philosophy Department. He is currently working in the area of postmodern philosophy of religion and the intersection of memory and culture in personal identity.

The Gospel according to Jane Austen
June 13, 2006

Professor Jennie-Rebecca Falcetta

Why does Mr. Knightley feel the need to test and correct Emma Woodhouse in order to win her hand? Why does Jane Austen so often portray clergymen as pompous, unctuous or otherwise insufferable? Why are the Crawfords, who delight and distract everyone at Mansfield Park, so alluring and yet so wrong? And most of all: Why are we so enchanted by the story of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy that we need to rehear and retell it again and again? Whether you know Austen’s work on film or in print, whether you are a devout Janeite or a complete Austenian neophyte, you’re invited to hear what this great wit and observer of character can tell us about morality, personality, and spirituality.

Jennie-Rebecca Falcetta is currently a Ph.D. candidate in English at the University of Connecticut and is a graduate of Gordon College and Baylor University. Although her dissertation and research interests focus on Modernist aesthetics and material culture, she is delighted by the opportunity to revisit the wonderful world of Austen. Jennie-Rebecca lives on the North Shore with her artist husband Anthony and Murphy the Striped Cat.

The Gospel according to Bob Dylan
June 20, 2006

Mr. Douglas Gilbert

Yikes! Who would dare attempt to wade into the writing of Mr. Enigmatic and make interpretive remarks about what he may be saying? Theology on Tap may be the best venue for such an adventure! His songs have always contained stories, characters, even phrases from the Bible. Why does he deliberately choose such language and imagery if his music is “only rock ‘n roll”? I’ve listened to Dylan for more than 40 years, even hung out with him in 1964, but am still discovering things in his writing. We’ll listen to some of his music, look at some photographs of the artist as a young man, and do our best to see the gospel in his work.

Douglas Gilbert has been a photographer for more than 40 years. As a LOOK Magazine staff photographer he photographed Bob Dylan in 1964, but the work was not published until October 2005 when Da Capo Press published “Forever Young: Photographs of Bob Dylan”. He has co-authored 3 other books including “C.S. Lewis: Images of His World”. He is also a psychotherapist in private practice since 1993. Douglas and his wife Barbara live in Amesbury and have 3 grown daughters.

The Gospel according to Monty Python
June 27, 2006

The Rev’d Gareth Evans

Does Python humor speak prophetically, via satire, to the abuse of Church power? Is Python’s satire right on when it points to the innate absurdity of all human endeavors? Is it okay for the Python Boys to have a good laugh at God and at our expense? And the correction answer is… “I feel a very strong attraction to resolving these issues over a pint.”

Gareth Evans, is an ex-pat gen-X Brit living and working in Boston. He is the Rector of St. John’s Charlestown, member of Diocesian Council and the Budget committee. He believes that having and cultivating a sense of humor is vital for a healthy life. His doctoral thesis explores how laughter and humor work in sacred settings with a special interest in the role of humor in Buddhist-Christian dialogue. In his spare time he goes to the dentist a lot and has a passion for fine English gourmet cooking.