Today I fly across the country to Palm Springs, California for the start of the 2008 Resolved conference. The conference topic is on Heaven & Hell. It will be sobering to spend the week contemplating eternity under the palm tree shaded and mountain-framed surroundings of southern California.

While there I hope to whittle out a little time to finish two blog posts: (1) I want to explain why I posted the provocative John Calvin quote on the cross, what it means, and why it speaks to our understanding of the church’s cultural engagement and social activity in light of the finished work of Christ. (2) Secondly, I hope to answer a question that’s come up in the SATC controversy: Is it sin to enjoy watching sin? I believe the bible speaks to the issue in a number of indirect ways (though I think the absence of a direct answer to the question reveals the inherent folly to the question itself). But it’s a historically important question. Augustine, for example, was forced to write an answer in light of those tempted to enjoy the brutal violence of the coliseum. It should be an interesting discussion, no doubt.

Before I head out the door I want you to see the visual art in the Resolved conference trailer. This is a precious and rare video because—while not uncommon to find “Christian” art—very rarely does it seem Christian artists use their gifts to communicate the gospel. [To echo a friend, “I love art, but what lasting contribution has art made to the spread of the gospel?” Hmmm. Good question.]

Enjoy the video: