Archives For Culture

Is Captain America: The Winter Soldier the Best Marvel Film Yet?

Wade —  April 4, 2014 —  Comments
Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Marvel Studios

Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Marvel Studios

In junior high, good guys finish last.

It’s not too much different in the film world.

A well-rounded plot must possess more than a heightened sense of external conflict to be engrossing. An internal transformation—taken by the main character(s)—which parallels external stimuli makes a story worth telling. There must be demons inside and out. John McClane is fighting to save his wife and his marriage in Die Hard. Clint Eastwood is battling more than a gang in Gran Torino, he’s coming to terms with his own personal concave of racism. Continue Reading…

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27 Things I Learned By the Time I Turned 27

Wade —  March 17, 2014 —  Comments

27-things-27-years

Yesterday, I turned twenty-seven (in lieu of gifts, please send cake). Time has evaporated faster than I ever imagined it could. Now, I’m just a not-so-young, young adult who’s fond of nostalgia.

Taking some time this past week, I penned a list of twenty-seven things I’ve learned these first twenty-seven years of my life. I’ve always found the key to growing is first being aware. Once we are aware, we allow our ears to hear the lessons screaming all around us.

Here’s what’s screaming at me:

Continue Reading…

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Noah Might Not Be Biblical, But That’s Okay

Wade —  February 24, 2014 —  Comments
noah-russell-crowe-film

Russell Crowe in Noah – Paramount Pictures

Noah doesn’t hit theaters for another month, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some controversy early. Rumors over the film’s assumed extra-biblical content are circulating faster than it takes to click “Share to News Feed.” There are even a few church leaders—who have yet to see the film—calling for an outright boycott. One Christian writer has gone as far as calling the script a “waste of a hundred and fifty-million dollars.” Continue Reading…

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How Christians Should Respond to Jokes About Their Faith

Wade —  February 6, 2014 —  Comments
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Amanda Bynes in Easy A – Sony Pictures

Christians make great punchlines. Check out Easy A, Scandal, or The Big Bang Theory. If that’s not enough to convince you: Tim Tebow.

Followers of Jesus are not always portrayed with the whitest of lights. We’re judgmental, hypocritical, and anti-science. Did I mention we’re jerks too?

As much as Christians are inclined to believe we’re the first generation to become pop culture’s punching bag, we’re not. Criticism, taking the form of humor, is as old as the faith itself. Continue Reading…

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Why Everyone Should Watch the New Netflix Documentary on Mitt Romney

Wade —  January 28, 2014 —  Comments

trailer-for-netflixs-mitt-romney-documentary-mitt

Words used to describe Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential election:

Wealthy.

Mormon.

Hair.

Wealthy.

Robot.

I think that pretty much sums it up. Continue Reading…

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God, Captain Phillips, and the Best Oscar Story of the Year

Wade —  January 22, 2014 —  Comments

tom-hanks-captain-phillips

Two years ago, Barkhad Abdi drove limos in Minneapolis. Today, he is an Academy Award nominated actor for his role in the brilliant Captain Phillips.

Did I mention Captain Phillips is brilliant? Because really, it is. If you haven’t seen it, why are you still reading this? Redbox that mug. Director Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Ultimatum) is stellar and Tom Hanks is well, Tom Hanks. Continue Reading…

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My Ten Most Popular Blogs of 2013

Wade —  December 31, 2013 —  Comments

top-ten-blogs

2013,

It’s not you, it’s me.

2013 has seen some pretty incredible events. My son Weston was born on July 2nd. I went skydiving. My wife and I bought our first house (or, if you’re Dave Ramsey, we didn’t). I guess there were some other important events that happened in the world as well. I don’t remember.

WadeBearden.com launched in May to the mild amusement of people everywhere. To celebrate my blog’s first New Years celebration, I thought it would be fitting to do a recap of my ten most popular posts. Continue Reading…

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We Raised $1,000 for Typhoon Victims!

Wade —  December 10, 2013 —  Comments

typhoon-Haiyan-philippines

Last week, we launched a project on WadeBearden.com to help the Typhoon victims in the Philippines. Well today, I am pumped to announce that because of you, we raised a total of $1,000! Continue Reading…

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Help us Beat the Typhoon and Raise Money for the Philippines!

Wade —  December 3, 2013 —  Comments

typhoon-Haiyan-philippines

We’re trying to raise $5,000 for Typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Before I tell you more, let me tell you why. Continue Reading…

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How Being Too Political Could Hurt Your Christian Witness

Wade —  November 19, 2013 —  Comments

Political-Image

If I were to make a list of what I thought were the top ten barriers keeping the unchurched from considering Christianity, politics would be a frontrunner. I know what you’re thinking. “Yeah! Politics is the problem! At dawn we ride on the capitol!” Maybe I should clarify.

I would contend that certain political views and the expression of those views by Christians, have discouraged outsiders from investigating the faith. At one time or another, many Christians—including myself—have turned political ideology into the Great Wall of China. We stand at the top making individuals scale the bricks before they can ever hope to be converted. Continue Reading…

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