Author Archives: davetcourt

The subject of necessary awe is still one of the most fascinating subjects to me when it comes to my dialogue with those who do not hold to belief in God. The basic question is this: if awe was not there, if it was stripped away, proven to be false, not attainable, would we stillContinue reading “The Question of Necessary Awe”

Film Journal 2023: A Million Miles Away Directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella One of the most remarkable things about this space odyssey, based on a true story, is that for as many miles as this travels it never strays far from the thing that really matters- home. There are so many points in this storyContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: A Million Miles Away”

Film Joutnal 2023: A Haunting in Venice Directed by Kenneth Branagh Death was only the beginning. Thus reads the official tagline for the latest entry from Branagh into the famed Hercule Poirot saga, which includes Murder On the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Each of those films has it’s own distinct style andContinue reading “Film Joutnal 2023: A Haunting in Venice”

Film Journal 2023: The Equalizer 3Directed by Antoine Fuqua I noted in my review, an element that earned my deep appreciation, an intentional shift in The Equalizer 2 away from a stand alone premise about a man and his need for revenge towards a slower paced and invested character study. Given that it was theContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: The Equalizer 3”

Film Journal 2023: The Nun 2Directed by Michael Chaves There are definitely some issues with the screenplay, which are most notable in moments where the editing is trying to balance an interest in exploring the story with a need to move the story forward. There are also moments where the dialogue feels a bit clunkyContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: The Nun 2”

Reading Journal 2023: The Sickness Unto DeathAuthor: Soren Kierkegaard I have a nephew is pursuing a university degree, an currently taking a course in phillsophy, and more specifically on the existentialists. He inspired me to dive back in myself, as its been a while since I’ve spent good time with some ot these iconic voicesContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: The Sickness Unto Death”

Reading Journal 2023: Moral Grandeur and Spiritual AudacityAuthor: Abraham Joshua Heschel (edited by Susannah Heschel) One of the great spiritual and relgiious minds of his (and our) time. This publication of essays explores the intersection between faith and ethics, with the two groupings of essays at the beginning and the end (Existence and Celebration andContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity”

Film Journal 2023: Expendables 4Directed by Scott Waugh We are long ways from the novelty of the first film in this now iconic action franchise. Back in 2010 this played legitimately into the changing face of cinema, bringing together the fading action heroes of the 80s and 90s with the emerging stars of the 2000’s.Continue reading “Film Journal 2023: Expendables 4”

“At the heart of the Pastoral Epistles is the gospel of Jesus Christ: God has acted in grace and mercy through the death of Christ with an offer of forgivness, to which people must respond in faith, turning from evil, receiving empowerment through God’s Spirit, and looking forward to eternal life… In all this, theContinue reading “What Is the Gospel”

Here is a philosophical idea I have been playing with lately. Mostly in response to questions I have been grappling with and which others have posed to me. It has to do with how we measure or lay claim to the value of a life. Or perhaps more specifically, the question of a meaningful life.Continue reading “From Infinity and Beyond: Grappling With the Question of Eternity”