Michael Wear, the founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, shares insights on the week’s cabinet hearings and the Israel-Gaza ceasefire negotiations. Kutter Callaway discusses the impact of California wildfires on communities, highlighting the emotional trauma of evacuations. Katharine Hayhoe emphasizes the urgent need for climate awareness, addressing 'weather whiplash' and the moral responsibility of stewardship within the Christian community. Together, they explore how faith intersects with current environmental and political crises.

Why do we like horror films? Why do we gravitate to the theatre for a collective catharsis—living out our nightmares vicariously through the unwitting victim on the screen? What draws us to the shadows? All the more poignant for the Christian who shouldn’t watch the bad movies. But let’s take the point seriously: How might we watch horror films Christianly? Which is to say: How do we watch them well?Theologian and film critic Kutter Callaway (Fuller Theological Seminary) joins Evan Rosa for a discussion of some truly frightening horror films. His new podcast “Be Afraid” is produced by Christianity Today, and explores horror films and the theology and psychology of fearing rightly.In addition to discussing some of our favorite scary movies Kutter Callaway and Evan Rosa discuss: The psychology of fear and why people might willingly rehearse their fears; the radical vulnerability of human life that makes us susceptible to horrors; the Bible as horror genre; the human inclination toward the numinous, unknown, mysterious, and uncanny; managing our terror about death; and ultimately, how to fear rightly.This episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Tyndale House Foundation. For more information, visit tyndale.foundation.Show NotesListen to Be Afraid, with Kutter CallawayWhat’s so scary about clowns and dolls? And why is Kutter Callaway afraid of them?Toy Story as Horror FlickThe Shining, psychological horror, and when children are involved.William James, Father of American PsychologyRudolf OttoMysterium Tremendum et Fascinans—the numinous, equal parts compelling and terrifyingAwe and terror—”big, overwhelming, and unknown”Marilyn McCord Adams’ Christ & Horrors“It brings us to the end of ourselves”“There’s nothing to be afraid of” is a lie!Should we be afraid?“Perfect love casts out fear”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.Learning how to fear rightlyChristian leverages fear all the time“Fear the one who can destroy both body and soul.”M1028—graphically violent and theologically backwardsWhat have you learned about fear from a psychological perspective?Justin Barrett and the cognitive science of religionHumans have the near-universal tendency to infer agency to things that go bump in the night.“We don't run from a bear because we're afraid. We're afraid because we're running.”Practicing and rehearsing “how to be afraid”Storytelling and catharsisSophocles, Oedipus Rex, and feeling the chills of tragedyArt and storytelling that traffics in empathyGet Out—empathy and viscerally feeling something—”that movie disturbed me on a level that I needed to be disturbed.”Paul Riceour on narrative and reappropriation—applied to horror and feeling empathy for the otherThe Exorcist—slow and quiet by modern standards, but outbursts of terrorTheodicy in The ExorcistAre horror films beautiful?About Kutter CallawayKutter Callaway is the William K. Brehm Chair of Worship, Theology, and the Arts, as well as associate dean of the Center for Advanced Theological Studies, and associate professor of theology and culture. He is actively engaged in writing and speaking on the interaction between theology and culture—particularly film, television, and online media—in both academic and popular forums.Dr. Callaway holds two PhDs, one in theology and the second in psychological science, both from Fuller. His most recent book is Theology for Psychology and Counseling: An Invitation to Holistic Christian Practice (2022). Past books include Techno-Sapiens in a Networked Era: Becoming Digital Neighbors (2020), which he coauthored with Fuller’s Associate Professor of Church in Contemporary Culture Ryan Bolger; The Aesthetics of Atheism: Theology and Imagination in Contemporary Culture (2019); and Deep Focus: Film and Theology in Dialogue (2019). Past books include Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing our Cultural and Spiritual Norms (2018), Watching TV Religiously: Television and Theology in Dialogue (2016) and Scoring Transcendence: Contemporary Film Music as Religious Experience (2013). In addition, he contributed to God in the Movies (2017); Halos and Avatars (2010), the first book on theology and video games; and Don’t Stop Believin’ (2012), a dictionary of religion and popular culture.Callaway cochairs the Religion, Film, and Visual Culture group at the American Academy of Religion. He also partnered with Paulist Productions to produce the YouTube series Should Christians Watch? His professional memberships include the American Academy of Religion, American Psychological Association, and the Society of Biblical Literature. He is ordained as a Baptist minister.Production NotesThis podcast featured Kutter CallawayEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie BridgeA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/giveThis episode was made possible in part by the generous support of the Tyndale House Foundation. For more information, visit tyndale.foundation.

Join Sarah Lane Ritchie and Kutter Callaway, experts at the crossroads of religion and psychological sciences, as they share humor-filled rules for surviving holiday gatherings with family and friends. Discover vital tips like prioritizing sleep, acknowledging trauma, and remembering the impermanence of our loved ones. They dive into the complexities of family dynamics, authenticity, and maintaining open communication, all while reflecting on deeper themes connected to spirituality and human relationships.