Comments for Gavin McGrath's Blog

Comment on President Obama, his critics, Facebook & troubles galore by annamoyle

annamoyle — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:48:52 +0000

Yes, I was going to leave the same comment as Lauren did. It is important not to have short memories here. The pastor who prayed for Obama to get a brain tumour recently is a sick man; however, so is Jeremiah Wright in my mind.

Tom, I think that the commentary you were thinking of was by David Brooks, in response to Jimmy Carter’s idea that behind all this vitriol towards Obama is racism. You can find it here, it is really excellent and takes the long view about populism/anarchism in American history, which Carter was lacking: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/opinion/18brooks.html?_r=1

Comment on President Obama, his critics, Facebook & troubles galore by gavinmcgrath

gavinmcgrath — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:31:16 +0000

Yes, Lauren, you are entirely correct: during the Bush years there were shrill voices coming from the ‘other side’. These criticisms and challenges (whatever their initial merit may or may not have been) were eventually compromised by the strident, hostile and ad hominem expressions. In my posting I did not ever intend to suggest that Obama’s critics are bad people while Bush’s critics were ‘intelligent and thoughtful’. Friedman certainly does not make this claim. Equally, I am not for a minute suggesting that Obama and his administration are without fault!

Comment on President Obama, his critics, Facebook & troubles galore by laurenlarkin

laurenlarkin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:16:09 +0000

Gavin, I really appreciate this post. I, for one, am completely uncomfortable with the current critical environment occurring about Obama; JUST as I was the past 8 years when the tables were turned and Bush was in office…

Comment on President Obama, his critics, Facebook & troubles galore by tomstan

tomstan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:34:47 +0000

The way people are reacting about the healthcare reforms is quite full on. Those against Obama are supposed conservatives yet they have taken on the campaigning methods of the ‘leftist/radicals’ that the conservatives would have despised in the past.
I read this is as an observation by US commentator but now can’t remember where. Sometimes their behaviour reminds me anarchist groups just wanting to disrupt and cause problems rather as you say go for ’sane public discourse’.
And I guess it doesn’t take much for a vulnerable peron to take this to the extreme.

Comment on Playing for Change: “War/No More Trouble” by markmeynell

markmeynell — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:52:19 +0000

loved it

Comment on Film, media, communication, Christianity, and Veggie Tales by rksouliske

rksouliske — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:51:01 +0000

Nice article and I agree to a point about writing christian movies and such as Lewis and Tolkein… If as an author your intent is to preach the gospel to your audience then dont write a story but instead preach the gospel. The biggest problem with christian media these days is its mostly christians entertaining christians. As a writer your should have a story to tell and if that story contains “magic and fantasy” so be it but dont try to tack on christ as an endorsement to christianize it. If the story has christian ideas and themes then great let God use them within the story as he will see fit and write the story for the sake of the story itself. I’ve had God reveal things to me on touch me in many ways from all kinds of stories and media many “magic and fantasy” based and sadly most where not christian media.

Comment on The Art of Virtue by Holbein’s THE AMBASSADORS: unlocking hidden mysteries « Quaerentia

Holbein’s THE AMBASSADORS: unlocking hidden mysteries « Quaerentia — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:16:27 +0000

[...] is partially hidden by the curtain. Allusions to the Temple curtain, perhaps…? As my friend Gavin McGrath rightly mentioned, this part of the picture is often cut off by over-zealous photo-editors. But there is also another [...]

Comment on Forty Years Ago… walking on the moon and Woodstock by jfbolster

jfbolster — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:56:37 +0000

I have vague memories of hearing about Woodstock – and even vaguer ones about a plan to hitch-hike up there. In retrospect, I wish I hadn’t thought the idea was ‘dumb’. As it turns out, it was one of the defining moments of the 60’s and I truly wish I had gone. At age 15 though, my folks wouldn’t have entertained the though of me doing anything like that. Ah well – just add that to the increasing long list of stuff that I wish I had done differently. No regrets mind you just the ability to look back from the perspective of the 55 year old…

Comment on Forty Years Ago… walking on the moon and Woodstock by skadimeicbeorh

skadimeicbeorh — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:24:39 +0000

Keep telling yourself that it was okay to miss Woodstock, man. Truth is, you had the chance, and you blew it. Wow. Just wow.

Comment on CD of the Month (June 09) by andybeingachristian

andybeingachristian — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:58:08 +0000

Yeah this one I can get with… Really strong album – huge riffs and plenty of ideas. I’m not enough of a fan to know if it’s their best, but it’s their best I’m aware of!
Incidentally, best albums of late have to be by Grizzly Bear, Phoenix and St. Vincent, if you’ll allow me to recommend back at you!
http://andybeingachristian.wordpress.com