Both the anime and manga of Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan have been absurdly popular and widely praised. Last year, five of the books in the series were in the Top 20 graphic novels in the U.S., beating even The Walking Dead; 8.3 million copies sold in just the first half of 2014 to boost its total sales close to 22 million copies in just under five years. To give you an … [Read more...]
Apologists, Christian Bookstores, and "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven"
This week was a bad week for fans of the book The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven. Alex Malarkey, son of author Kevin Malarkey, issued a brief but brutal retraction of the events that took place in The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven, a book which has sold very well along with other books in the “heavenly tourism” genre. The publisher, Tyndale House, has agreed to take the book … [Read more...]
EQUIPPED: Vol. 1, No. 2 – Evidence for the Existence of Jesus
Vol. 1, No. 2 Evidence for the Existence of Jesus "The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us" If you’re looking for a good conversation starter, try asking, “Who is the most important person in history?” and follow it up with, “Why do you say that?” After reading this issue, you will be EQUIPPED to discuss these questions and answer the most important question: “Who do you say … [Read more...]
Worldview and Culture: The Stories That Shaped Us in 2014
As this year wraps up, I offer the following retrospective on some of the more popular entertainment in 2014. It's not an exhaustive list, and I don't necessarily recommend everything on it. It's simply meant to provide insight into the cultural stories that are reflecting and/or shaping a lot of worldviews, particularly those of a young adult audience. Though some of the … [Read more...]
Dracula Untold
Dracula Untold looks to do for Dracula what Maleficent did for its title character. What if there is more to Dracula than we thought? What if he is a hero (albeit a problematic one)? Dracula Untold suggests that he is just that – a misunderstood monster who has become what he is for love. And make no mistake, Vlad the Impaler is a monster. His childhood is tragic. He and 999 … [Read more...]
EQUIPPED: Vol. 1, No. 1 – Evidence for the Existence of God
Vol. 1, No. 1 Evidence for the Existence of God “In The Beginning” Appropriately, the first issue of EQUIPPED begins: “In the Beginning…” With much prayer, we invite you to find a comfortable place to sit, and fill your mind with the truth of Jesus Christ, so that you, too, may be EQUIPPED. —Glen Richmond, Editor Get more EQUIPPED Share EQUIPPED as you please with your … [Read more...]
The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner took the YA world by storm in 2009, winning the New York State Charlotte Award, the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award the New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award, the Missouri Truman Readers Award, the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Award , the Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award, the Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, the Georgia Peach Book … [Read more...]
The 5th Wave: I Am The Battlefield
“I may be the last one, but I am the one still standing. I am the one turning to face the faceless hunter in the woods on an abandoned highway. I am the one not running, not staying, but facing. Because if I am the last one, then I am humanity. And if this is humanity’s last war, then I am the battlefield.” - Yancey's favorite quote from The 5th Wave Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave … [Read more...]
Guardians of the Galaxy
Marvel Comics is on a roll. Guardians of the Galaxy opened with a stunning $94 million dollar weekend, breaking the previous August record for a movie opening. In spite of bewilderment within the entertainment industry leading up to its release (there was in interesting discussion about this on Rotten Tomatoes' podcast), critics and audiences have been giving it well-deserved … [Read more...]
Youth, Popularity, and Apologetics
I was listening to J. Warner Wallace’s podcast recently, and it’s one I encourage all of you to listen to. He talked about presenting talks on apologetics and how youth get enthused about it. I started pondering then why that might be, and I’d like to share a suspicion I have on the matter. I have written much on how the ancient world was an honor/shame culture where we’re a … [Read more...]