Free Republic

Mark Wahlberg’s new film Father Stu is one of the most theologically interesting films to come out in a long time. It considers some of the thorniest and most puzzling themes in the sacred science, including the nature of vocation, the purpose of suffering in the divine plan, the role of supernatural agency, the dynamics of redemption, and perhaps most thoroughly, the mystery of God’s providence. In the course of this article, I would like to say just a few simple things about the first and last of those motifs. Let’s take providence first. I have argued for years that...

The genre of faith-based films has grown stronger over the last ten years, but Father Stu pushes the envelope in one significant sense. Will the built-in audience for such films stand for an R-rated biopic? And will the warts-and-all depiction of the late Father Stuart Long bring in the crossover audiences that Mark Wahlberg commands?Hopefully, the answer to both questions will be yes, as Father Stu offers a moving and sometimes challenging look at faith, redemption, and family. No one gets spared from a harsh, critical look at Long’s life — not his family, his friends, his lifestyle, or even...

Hollywood’s biggest stars use every pulpit possible to send a message to the masses.Save the planet Vote out Trump Defeat “Don’t Say Gay” legislation Black Lives Matter! That’s just a small sample.One topic rarely comes up during these moments, though, even if it impacts virtually every star in the Hollywood galaxy.Cancel Culture. Some celebrities do address the issue, either directly or indirectly. Think Bryan Cranston, Ricky Gervais and Bill Maher.Members of the unofficial A-list, however, stay mum on the subject. Some, like Scarlett Johansson, have been directly impacted by the toxic trend but quickly apologized rather than fight back.Others, think...