Category: Art

The Crossover Alliance Anthology - Available Now

9/26/2014

The day has finally come!

The first Crossover Alliance Anthology is now available!

Here's the rundown of stories:

Snow and Ash by Nathan James Norman
Doors of Babel by David N. Alderman
Broken by Travis Morrill
If it Causes You to Sin by Jess Hanna
Blood Ace by Allan and Aaron Reini
Sanguinem Inimicum by Mark Carver
Spellbound by Jess Hanna
Proverbs - A Fairy Tale by Nathan James Norman
The Spigot by David N. Alderman

In the days ahead I will share my thoughts on my own stories, as well as this entire project.

You can get the digital version for free from Smashwords. Or you can throw some modest funds toward the organization and purchase a physical copy (under $7) from Amazon!

Head over to The Crossover Alliance for all purchasing options!

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The Pulpit of the Culture and the Church

9/24/2014

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The culture has a pulpit. A place where it preaches and proclaims its message.

The pulpit of the culture is Hollywood.
It is sometimes subversive, sneaking its morality into the lips of the heroes. Other times it is overt, as the actors take on the role of modern-day prophets, touting their beliefs on Twitter and Facebook and interview shows.
The culture has an effective pulpit. It preaches in commercials. It preaches in ads. It preaches in news programs. It tells stories every week in our favorite shows (preaching in the subtext of the protagonists' actions). It guides our minds in film.
The culture spends billions of dollars to preach.
And we spend billions of dollars to hear it.

What, then, should be the response of the Church? Certainly some of what the culture says we would support. But not all. Never all.

So, what do we do? Make counter-cultural films? Start a Christian news network? Blog? Write fiction from a Christian worldview?

No.
I think not.

The pulpit of the culture is indeed powerful. Yet the Church has something much greater: Incarnational Preaching of the Word of God.

I know.
On the face of it, this simply doesn't make sense. Films are more entertaining. TV shows have a bigger budget than your local church. Commercials often make us cry more than our pastor's sermons.
So how can incarnational preaching compete?
The Avengers is fun.
The Hunger Games is challenging.
Game of Thrones features attractive people.
Fox News is culturally relevant.

Yet, preaching wins. Preaching is more powerful. Preaching has a greater impact. Preaching is more effective at transforming hearts, minds and souls.
It's true that the Hollywood-pulpit has more money, prettier faces, and better distribution. But preaching has the living and active Word of God. Preaching is empowered by the Spirit of the Living God. Preaching carries with it a promise to always have an effect.

The preacher who preaches from the text will have a bigger impact in the lives of the congregation than Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen, and Modern Family.

The pulpit of the Church, that is - preaching, is more powerful than the pulpit of the culture - Hollywood.
This reality will, of course, confound the culture.

This isn't to say that Hollywood is not effective. It is very effective. And I think we Christians often feel like we need to compete by making similar ideological films and shows that communicate our worldview.

But this is condescending. This is trading in a tactical nuke for a rocket launcher. It's a downgrade.

Nothing, nothing, nothing will transform lives more than the Word of God. And nothing, nothing, nothing unleashes the Word of God more than preaching it. (And preaching it live, in person, face to face, in the presence of the congregation.)

So does that mean we should abandon all Christian film making and pursuits in the arts? Absolutely not. But it should free content creators from feeling they need to leverage their stories to change people. Instead, they can tell deeper stories, where the worldview is embedding in the scenes, and dripping from the subtext. The message moment doesn't need to be pressed. Better products can emerge.

On the surface, the Church-pulpit is rather unimpressive. A man with an old book talking for an hour.
On the surface, the culture-pulpit is utterly incredible. Actors, sets, design, CGI, explosions, drama, and a soundtrack!

And yet, for all these centuries... from the days of Noah, through the prophets, to now, preaching endures. It will endure, until the glorious appearance of The One Who Dwells in Unapproachable Light.

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Watch "Sing Over Me" Free

9/1/2014

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Back in April I reviewed the Dennis Jernigan documentary "Sing Over Me".

The filmmakers have released this very personal film about the songwriter's struggles with sexuality and identity for free.

From now, through September 30th, the entire film can be streamed over the Internet in its entirety.

Head over there now!

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"Walking High" 2007 Film

7/2/2014

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In 2007 I had the privilege to work with my good friend Frank Lozano on the 168 Film Project.

I knew Frank before this film, but in the intensity of this week - consisting of writing, re-writing, arguing about the re-writes, filming, shooting, editing and producing - I really got to know him. And in the crucible of this stress we began a friendship that I highly value.

Over the years I've been incredibly impressed with Frank's level of creativity and artistic skill. This has only been overshadowed by his constant dedication to Christ. I am humbled as I've seen my friend grow over the years in his walk. Which makes him one of my favorite kinds of artists - talented and humble.

Here's the description Frank wrote:

The documentary "Walking High" is about Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum, the youth flight school at Compton's Woodley Airport that helps kids stay out of gangs. This was also my entry in the 168 Film Project for the year 2007 and my directorial debut. Hosted by Nathan James Norman nathanjamesnorman.com, music by Mark LeVang marklevangmusic.com and title song LIVE by Mandie Pinto-Czarnecki mandiepinto.com

Take a look at this short from seven years ago!

WALKING HIGH from Frank Lozano on Vimeo.

(I feel like I haven't aged in ten years. I'm thrilled this film proves otherwise!)

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The Bridegroom Returns

3/13/2014

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I came across this picture last September while meeting with a church member at a local coffee shop.

The digital image doesn't do it justice.

The print that I looked at, for no more than a minute, burrowed into my mind for the next few days. So, much so that I mentioned it at a church meeting.

One of the families unexpectedly purchased and framed the print for pastor appreciation month, and I was incredibly blest to receive it!

I love this picture.

This embodies what Christian art should be.

At first glance it raises questions: Is this Jesus? Why is Jesus embracing a woman romantically? Who is this woman? What is the occasion of this embrace? Why are the flags of the world on her dress? Is that a wedding dress?

There is an initial tension in this picture. As one visitor to my office asked, "Why do you have a picture of Jesus making out with some chick?" (Which was a little crudely put, but still an honest question.)

But then we have to think through our theology: Where are there marriages in the New Testament? Who is this bride supposed to represent? When is this picture taking place? Past? Present? Future?

And we then come to an incredibly beautiful, powerful and utterly unique piece of art. This is the marriage supper of the Lamb.

"Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, has begun to reign! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure." (Revelation 19:6b-8 HCSB)

This is the universal Church being united to her bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the point when at long-last, after all the tears, after all the pain, disappointments, turmoil, hardships and sorrows, we will be united with our Saviour. All the hurt, and agony ends at this point in time. Life - the way life was meant to be - begins here.

This is the moment when we discover that enduring the darkness of this world is absolutely nothing compared to the reward.

And the ultimate reward isn't heaven. It isn't immortality. It isn't a glorified resurrected body. Yes we get all that. But the ultimate reward is far greater.

The reward is Jesus Himself.

I love how the bridegroom is king, and three crosses stand atop his crown symbolizing both his great sacrifice and the triune God.

I love the bride's face, and how her head is thrown back in absolute joy. I love how Jesus is holding her, gentle but firm, with rejoicing on his face as well.

Artist Jennifer Oakley-Delaplante has created a masterful piece of art that will inspire and encourage me for years to come.

Jennifer Oakley-Delaplante shares some of her inspiration on her blog.

Welcome to the marriage supper!

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Forward>>

Nathan James Norman

The Crossover Alliance Anthology - Available Now

The Pulpit of the Culture and the Church

Watch "Sing Over Me" Free

"Walking High" 2007 Film

The Bridegroom Returns

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