"Everything Everywhere All at Once," the Theologian's Task, and Some Reels
fluff piece #2: books, articles, movies, and IG reels
👉🏽 Highlighting: Everything Everywhere All At Once
This past weekend, Christine and I finally got to see the highly-acclaimed absurdist Asian American dramedy Everything Everywhere All At Once. That film was a wild ride, exploring Asian American identity through the concept of the multiverse. We were both pleasantly shocked — it was surely one of the weirdest movies we’ve ever seen, while simultaneously one of the most profound.
What I thought was particularly unique about the film was how it situated the Asian American subject within the tension between Kierkegaard’s existentialism and Nietzsche’s nihilism, which I’m sure philosophy/theology geeks out there (such as myself) will be mulling over for a while. Indeed, the film serves as the perfect reminder to pursue kindness when nothing in this world makes any sense — to pursue neighborly love in the face of sheer chaos.
This film is not only a landmark in Asian American cinema, but a defining piece of art for our current generation of filmmakers. I am excited to see how scholars, artists, and theologians will engage with this film — there is so much to write about. May this only spur Asian Americans to continue creating… and to create beautifully in a world that desperately needs kindness. And if you haven’t seen it, I’d encourage you to stream it or see it in theaters, as soon as humanly possible. Everything Everywhere All At Once is well worth seeing.
A Few Resources on the Task of Theology
Last week, I wrote an article on the task of the theologian in an age of fear. I have compiled a very short list of resources elaborating on the task of the theologian. I hope they prove helpful:
After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging by Willie James Jennings (Eerdmans)
Notes of a Native Daughter: Testifying in Theological Education by Keri Day (Eerdmans)
"am i a theologian," an article by
()Placemaking and the Arts: Cultivating the Christian Life by Jennifer Allen Craft (IVP Academic)
This Sacred Life: Humanity’s Place in a Wounded World by Norman Wirzba (Cambridge University Press)
“Four Things to Know about Going to Seminary,” an article by
and (Sojourners)“Rend the Possibilities of Biblical Scholarship without White Masculine Self-Sufficiency” by Willie James Jennings (Journal of Biblical Literature)
Just a Few Reels
Are you looking for some ideas on what to wear for a date with your special someone? Check out this reel that gave me some interesting ideas:
Apparently, some of the best buckwheat pancakes in all of America could be found in New York state:
A quick language lesson in Tagalog/Filipino:
Just an emo dog:
And a little burst of encouragement for your day 🌞