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. 📲 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok . And don't forget to subscribe to us on YouTube . 📬 Subscribe...

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. 📲 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok . And don't forget to subscribe to u...

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...

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...

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 type Section 3 - What defines each act of the play? Section 4 - Following the echoes of God in Hamlet PODCAST HOST  Dane Bundy is the President of Stage &...

"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...

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.s...

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...

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 HOST 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 .  

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 orig...

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 HOST Dane Bundy is president of Stage & Story and secondary principal at Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN. Find out more abo...

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 HOSTS 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...

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. SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by the Stage & Story Conference on September 7 at LifeHouse Theater in Redlands, CA. Join us for a day of worship, fellowship, and eng...

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!) CONTRIBUTORS Jordan and Maegan Crother | LifeHouse Theater actors Marian Jacobs | Writer and journalist (www.majacobs.com) Andrew Cochran | Production stage manager at Jaxx...

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). If you'd like to see past lists of recommended movies and shows, check out these blog posts: ( February 2019) ) ( August 2018 )