Stage & Story

On today's episode, Dane explores ways of how Christian classical schools can train a generation of storytellers even with little resources. STAGE & STORY is 501(c)(3) organization that cultivates the Christian imagination by producing high-quality resources and hosting Christ-centered gatherings.

On today's episode, Dane argues that Christians should be at the forefront of writing and producing stories. We must focus on training a new generation of storytellers.STAGE & STORY is 501(c)(3) organization that cultivates the Christian imagination by producing high-quality resources and hosting Christ-centered gatherings.

Looking for some books to stir your imagination? You're in luck. Dane Bundy explores the idea of a Christian imagination and then highlights 13 books that will deepen it!

Downcast when things seem to be going great? In this second installment in our series, Dane Bundy returns to Charles Spurgeon's essay ("The Minister's Fainting Fits") exploring the occasions a pastor may face discouragement and depression. Dane focuses on Spurgeon's first occasion: in the Hour of Great Success. Dane then highlights principles that apply both to pastors, artists, or parents. 

Sometimes the Christian journey feels like war. It's because we are in a cosmic war! In the first installment in a series, Dane Bundy turns to Charles Spurgeon's essay ("The Minister's Fainting Fits") exploring the occasions a pastor may face discouragement and depression. Dane then makes application for you--whether you're a pastor, artist, or parent! 

How should we think about the religious images and symbols in the art around us? Recorded live at Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks, Dane Bundy shares three ways that art engages with the Christian story. With a focus on movies, Dane looks at ways that religious imagery and symbols in popular films interact in an inclusive, exclusive, or subversive way. Click here to view the Google Slides. 

My favorite film by M. Night Shyamalan is The Village (2004). I keep returning to it again and again. Have you seen it? If not, go rent it. In this episode of the podcast, I explore The Village, looking at the ways it helps us understand the Christian Worldview. Get ready, we're going to dig into some theology as well. 

Creativity in the Kingdom of God has a three-fold task: to delight, to discern, and to deliver. Over-emphasizing one of these three at the expense of the others can be dangerous. So let's dig into each of these tasks and seek to implement a balanced approach!

A story about Lincoln sent me on a pursuit to learn more about this great man. What did Lincoln believe about God? Did he believe in the God of the Bible or a god who was distant and disinterested, as some might attest? I hope the findings encourage you in your pursuit of faithful living. 

What can the story behind Michelangelo's sculpture of David teach us about creativity and life? A great deal. The idea is simple: constraints lead to creativity. But no one likes limitations. So, we need tools to move forward and inspiration to fight for the beauty that lies in front of us. 

Fear and doubt love to stand in the way of creativity. They make the road to creating beautiful things very difficult. So, how do we keep going when we feel unprepared or unworthy? Here's a clue: remember, we're not alone. 

'First Reformed' was ranked as #1 of the Top 10 films of 2018 by a well-known Christian movie reviewer. Is this a great film for a thinking Christian? Is the filmmaker upholding or subverting the Christian faith? Pastor Brandon and Dane dive into these questions and more. (Warning: Spoilers in the episode.) REFERENCED ARTICLES Director Paul Schrader Test His Faith In 'First Reformed' with Terry GrossPaul Schrader on First Reformed: "This is a troubling film about a troubled person" by Alissa Wilkinson PODCAST HOSTSDane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.Brandon McCulloch is associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks and head of the Bible department at Lake Arrowhead Christian School. Find out more about Pastor Brandon McCulloch and his podcast here.

Dane Bundy explores the relationship between rest and creativity, mixing personal narrative and cues from Solomon. Some of this material was previously published in a newsletter for Regents School of Austin. For further reflection read 1 Chronicles 22:6-19. See the pictures referenced in the episode here. PODCAST HOST Dane Bundy is the President of Stage & Story and the Director of Fine Arts at Regents School of Austin in Austin, TX. 

Dane Bundy dives into his favorite play of all time, "Hamlet," to find the ways that God and his Story echo throughout the work. Section 1 - What are the echoes of God? (see Echoes of Eden by Jerram Barrs)Section 2 -  Hamlet's plot and story typeSection 3 - What defines each act of the play?Section 4 - Following the echoes of God in HamletPODCAST HOST Dane Bundy is the President of Stage & Story and the Director of Fine Arts at Regents School of Austin in Austin, TX. 

"Don't waste the pandemic. . . but let it enhance your imaginations."Dr. Roger Duke shares about John Bunyan and how his time in jail led to his great work of imaginative fiction -- "Pilgrim's Progress." Eric Rutherford continues the discussion about ways that constraint actually promotes creativity and offers some thoughts on how to cultivate our imaginations. This talk was recorded live at our Stage & Story Winter Gathering over Zoom and edited for time.Dane Bundy mentioned an interview with Marian Jacobs called, "Writing in the Cracks and Chunks: An Interview with Writer Marian Jacobs." You can find Marian Jacobs' writing at www.majacobs.com. HOST & GUESTS Dane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.Dr. Roger D. Duke  is an advisory board member and the scholar-in-residence at Stage & Story. Dr. Duke is an ordained Baptist minister and has taught at the college and graduate school levels for over 20 years. Dr. Duke holds graduate degrees from The University of the South’s School of Theology at Sewanee, TN; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Harding University’s Graduate School of Religion. He has written or contributed to more than ten volumes (including works on John Bunyan) with the latest volume scheduled to be released in 2018. Visit his website at www.InvertedChristian.com. Eric Rutherford is president of Entrusting the Faith ministries (www.entrustingthefaith.com). He’s the author of Leading Well at Home: How Husbands and Fathers Can Biblically Lead Their Families and lives in Murfreesboro, TN. Eric earned his M.Div from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves on the S&S Board.  

Pastor Brandon McCulloch shares challenges he sees the church faces in cultivating the Christian imagination, but he also offers some solutions. This talk was recorded live at a Stage & Story Winter Gathering held over Zoom. HOST & GUESTS Dane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.Brandon McCulloch is associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks and head of the Bible department at Lake Arrowhead Christian School. Find out more about Pastor Brandon McCulloch and his podcast here.

What is the imagination? What is the Christian imagination? How do we cultivate our imaginations? Listen to a dialogue between Pastor Brandon McCulloch, Chelsea Carrier, and Dane Bundy. EPISODE OVERVIEW |00:45| What is the imagination? |14:00| How does Scripture help us understand the imagination? |24:30| What is the Christian imagination? |34:15| How can we cultivate our imaginations? HOST & GUESTS Dane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.Brandon McCulloch is associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks and head of the Bible department at Lake Arrowhead Christian School. Find out more about Pastor Brandon McCulloch and his podcast here.Chelsea Lee Carrier teaches eighth and tenth grade English at Providence Academy. She earned a B.A. in English from Union University and is studying in Faulkner University's Great Books Honors Program. She has six younger siblings and a cat named Strider. 

Dane Bundy considers the sting of sadness that accompanies creative work and the hope that comes  from Godward reflection. Read the blog entry at stageandstory.org. PODCAST HOSTDane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org. 

Thinkers, both Christian and non-Christian alike, have kept journals to hold their reflections. But, in the 21st century, with technology so accessible, why would we still want to keep a journal that we can hold in our hands? Dane Bundy outlines both WHY and HOW we can journal. . .and how we can do it to cultivate the Christian imagination.  Though this podcast has updated insights, read the original articles with pictures (woohoo!) on the Stage & Story website: Article #1 Article #2PODCAST HOSTDane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.

Last Saturday, I (Dane Bundy) saw Christopher Nolan's new film Tenet (2020). Here are some reflections on returning to the theater in a global pandemic, the film's craft and worldview. Warning: Major Spoilers ahead!Read the written review at stageandstory.org.PODCAST HOSTDane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.

Pastor Brandon and Dane discuss the movie First Man (2018). Is this film anti-American or, a better question, anti-Christian? (Warning: Spoilers in the episode.) You can currently stream  First Man (2018) on Hulu.PODCAST HOSTSDane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more about Dane and Stage & Story at www.stageandstory.org.Brandon McCulloch is associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Twin Peaks and head of the Bible department at Lake Arrowhead Christian School. Find out more about Pastor Brandon McCulloch and his podcast here.

Dane Bundy addresses a live audience at the 2017 Stage & Story Conference, speaking to the power of stories, the origin of creativity, and God's redemptive drama. Dane draws from thinkers such as C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton to weave an argument for Christian's to understand and embrace the Christian imagination. 

Recorded live at Lake Arrowhead Christian School. Pastor Brandon and Dane discuss Jesus' parable on the Wheat and Weeds. Together they consider the purpose of Jesus' Kingdom stories, and they ask if and how we can tell our own.

In this episode, I reached out to a number of my colleagues for their reflections on Avengers: Endgame. Their observations range from character and plot development to Christian imagery and worldview messages. (Spoilers ahead!)

In this episode, Dane Bundy walks through 11 great films available to stream right now (five on Netflix and six on Amazon Prime). NO SPOILERS (unless you count the IMDB summary).

In today's episode, pastor Brandon McCulloch and I discuss "Avengers: Infinity War" from a Christian perspective. (Warning: Spoilers in the episode.)

In today's episode, pastor Brandon McCulloch and I discuss the second step in watching movies with a Christian perspective. We call this step "assessing." We continue looking at Disney's "Tangled" and also discuss the entrepreneurial story behind McDonald's Ray Kroc in the movie "Founder." (Warning: Spoilers in Episode)

Dane Bundy reviews the Netflix original movie, "Triple Frontier."

In this bonus episode, I share the audio from my recent webinar, "Engaging the Trojan Horse: Watching Movies with a Christian Perspective."

In today's episode, pastor Brandon McCulloch and I discuss the first step in watching movies with a Christian perspective. We call this step "searching." We have a great time working through Disney's "Tangled" to illustrate how to "search" a film. (Warning: Spoilers in Episode)

In today's episode, pastor Brandon McCulloch and I tackle Alfred Hitchcock's film, "Rope." (Warning: Spoilers in Episode) This is part 2 in a series called "This Trojan Horse," in which we dialogue about movies and how to engage them with a Christian perspective. This episode is sponsored by Stage & Sweater.

In today's episode, pastor Brandon McCulloch and I consider some important questions: How is a story like a Trojan Horse? How do movies fit into God's Story? How do movies carry perspectives on the world? This is part 1 in a series called "This Trojan Horse," in which we'll be dialoguing about movies and helping you engage films with a Christian perspective.