Paul Asay
Patheos
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Past articles by Paul:
Notre Dame’s Fire Was Horrible. But We Can Find Hope There, Too
It's been hard to watch one of Christendom's most beautiful churches burn today, taking who knows how much history with it. But even in this tragedy, perhaps a little hope can be found. → Read More
‘I’m Just Fascinated by It.’ Morgan Freeman Talks About Religion, Faith and ‘The Story of God’
Morgan Freeman knows more about God than most of us. It’s not just that the Oscar-winning actor has literally played God a couple of times (in both Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty), or that his voice sounds like it comes straight from Mount Olympus. Since 2016, Freeman’s been the host of one of National Geographic’s → Read More
Finding Light in Darkness
The newest LEGO Movie is all about growing up, playing nice and about the compromises we make--or feel like we have to make--when we realize that everything isn't awesome. → Read More
Jesus Returns … to the History Channel
The network's upcoming miniseries features an interesting wrinkle: Jesus' life as told by some of his closest friends--and bitterest enemies. → Read More
The Year’s Best Movies (According to Me)
From superheroes to quiet heroes, from fearsome aliens to fallen priests, 2018 was a cinematic year to remember. These are the ones I think were the very best. → Read More
And the Most Religious Superhero Movie of the Year is
The Merc with the Mouth drew explicit comparisons to Christianity in his latest movie, somehow both sacrilegious and sincere. Maybe it's appropriate that, with Once Upon a Deadpool, it gets a second coming. → Read More
George H.W. Bush is Gone, But His Faith Lives On
The 41st president talked about "a thousand points of light." That phrase, and Bush's whole presidency, was rooted in his own deep Christian values. → Read More
In Creed II, Rocky and Moses Have a Lot in Common
Creed II isn't particularly preachy, but it has all the telltale signs of a spiritual journey—one plucked straight from the Bible, actually. → Read More
What Society (and Christianity) Can Learn From Stan Lee
Stan Lee’s greatest contribution wasn’t the superheroes he made. Rather, it was in how deeply, radically human he made them. → Read More
Is Venom Anti-Science?
Venom is a weird mashup of The Exorcist and 48 Hours abducted by its own CGI. But it does have something to say about how science, when it's divorced from morality, can become a terrible weapon. → Read More
Star is Born Comes With Heartache, Song and Just a Twinkle of Faith
One of the year's biggest awards contenders just landed in theaters like a white-hot asteroid. And it carries with it just a hint of spirituality, too. → Read More
Mandy is the Craziest Movie of the Year. (Naturally, It Stars Nic Cage)
Say what you will about Nicolas Cage. But when he takes a role, he's all in. Some call him an incredibly committed actor. Some call him an actor who looks, in some of his roles, as if he should be committed. I’ve seen him in great movies. I’ve seen him in terrible movies, I’ve even seen him in terrible Christian → Read More
Aretha Franklin, 'A Gift From God,' Goes Home
"Being a singer is a natural gift . It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that." → Read More
Four Great Lessons from Christopher Robin (With a Spiritual Twist)
Disney's new live-action film is a lovely, uneven take on Christopher Robin as a busy, grizzled adult. He needs a bear of very little brain to help him find his way again. → Read More
CBS’ Upcoming Drama, ‘God Friended Me,’ Looks Pretty Interesting
OK, so Living Biblically didn’t work out so well for CBS. The network canned it earlier this spring after its first season. But the network has another faith-based show in the works—this one a drama—and it looks pretty interesting. Over the last several weeks, I’ve seen a surprising amount of religious content dance across the … → Read More
Seven Reasons Why We Need Mister Rogers More Than Ever
Even though he's gone, Rogers gave many of us some powerful, beautiful lessons. And maybe it's up to us to now be the heroes that he taught us to be. → Read More
What Golden State Can Teach Us About Being Christian in a Post-Christian America
The Warriors are going for their third NBA title in four years. But in the way they handle themselves on and off the court, this predominantly Christian team is even more impressive. → Read More
Recovering From (and Finding Hope In) Avengers: Infinity War
I saw Avengers: Infinity War last week. I’m still recovering. → Read More
What one word drives 'Avengers: Infinity War' and really much of the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe?
It's way more important than those pesky old Infinity Stones. → Read More
Everything You Need to Know About Infinity Wars Before You Go
Where are the Infinity Stones? Who is Thanos? Don't know Captain America from Captain Crunch? That Groot is something that a tile expert with a speech impediment might mention? We've got you covered. → Read More