SHINE A LIGHT TODAY. AKA: SALT
The Christian & Faith-Based go-to media review series that spotlights faith-driven books, films, and podcasts worth your time.
Lovely People
Lovely People by Minna Sundberg is a delightfully drawn graphic novel about bunnies living in a world with a social credit system. The purpose of the story is to highlight the dangers of works-based salvation and how we are completely incapable of saving ourselves from even the smallest of sins.
Leviathan
The first book of R.M. Huffman’s antediluvian epic — Leviathan — centers itself around life in the post-Fall, pre-Flood world. Set in a lush landscape filled with the beginnings of human civilization and all manner of now-extinct species (triceratops! Saber-tooth tigers! Moa!), this tale of humanity, faith, and the basics of good vs. evil is a fantastical ride through the early millennia of Earth.
Professor Phineas T. Boggs: Lost in Space
The second installment of the Academy of Art’s Professor Phineas T. Boggs’ adventures, Lost in Space is a delightful audio drama for kids of all ages. In this story, Professor Boggs — along with characters from the previous drama, including Chester, Tina, Jake, Tess, Olivia, Michael, and Bonnie — travel through time to uncovering Biblical truths and learn important life lessons.
Bonus: Cabrini (2024)
This movie has a timeless quality that shines a brilliant, warm spotlight on American’s first saint. This era of the United States was marked by both incredible growth and significant turmoil as nearly 2 million Italian immigrants settled into the country. These immigrants were often treated horribly, and Italian orphans were typically forced to live in the sewers and storm drains beneath the city streets. Cabrini, who steps into New York with her eyes on a future “empire of hope”, starts with one small, rundown orphanage in the worst part of town.
Paul, the Apostle
Paul: The Apostle by Mario DeMatteo is a graphic story Bible that covers the life of Paul (formerly Saul), from the New Testament. This takes the story of his life — both the good and the bad — and faithfully recreates it in a futuristic, sci-fi setting.
Hospital Playlist
Hospital Playlist is a 2020 South Korean drama that follows the friendships of 5 doctors in their 40s working at the Yulje Medical Center. This quintet of doctors — a neurologist, liver transplant specialist, OB/GYN, cardiologist, and pediatric specialist — have been friends since medical school and after reconnecting at Yulje, they decided to form a garage band as a hobby.
Nova
Chuck Black’s first book of the Starlore Legacy series, Nova, is a fighter-pilot space opera for middle-grade to YA students. Crafted in the vein of Dune and Star Wars on the foundation of Biblical retellings, Nova promises great adventure and political intrigue, all wrapped up in a star-spanning, coming-of-age tale.
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Using a disguise as a dandified English nobleman, Sir Percy Blakeney goes undercover, pulling of daring missions, in order to rescue innocent French nobles from the guillotine of the French Revolution. Blakeney, along with his wife, Marguerite St. Just, her brother Armand St. Just, and his second in command, Sir Andrew Ffoulkes, weave their way through a complex plot of love, lies, misunderstandings, betrayals and the threat of betrayals to rescue the heir to the French monarchy.
The Story of Samson the Nazirite
The Story of Samson the Nazirite by Luis Serrano is a flashy, violent, and true-to-the-Biblical-account graphic novel of Samson. Shying away from nothing, this comic series brings the best of modern-day superhero adventures to the ancient tale. Covering the complete story found in Judges 13-16, this series is perfect for any fan of Conan the Barbarian and Red Sonja.
Mateo's Choice
Mateo’s Choice is an excellent Christian primer for kids! Written in a simple, but easy to understand way, it tackles major theological points about salvation, who we become in Christ, and why a renewed heart is a good thing.
Prof. Phineas T. Boggs: Elijah and the Famine
Professor Phineas T. Boggs: Elijah and the Famine is a time-travel audio adventure that is sure to delight children of all ages. Professor Phineas T. Boggs, renown inventor extraordinaire, and his Gobac time machine whisk away young listeners to the time of Elijah, during the…
The Forgotten King
The Forgotten King is a beautifully illustrated allegorical tale of God’s enduring love for His people, including the redemption brought by Jesus.
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time has long been held as a staple in middle grade science fiction and fantasy. A mind-bending adventure across the stars in an ultimate battle between obviously good and obviously evil, this story paints a beautiful and fantastical adventure for children of all ages.
Godzilla: Minus One
Now, I have to admit that I am a bit biased when it comes to Godzilla movies. I have been an avid fan of the franchise since 2017 and a fan of kaiju — that is, “big monster” — movies since Pacific Rim came out in 2013.