Summary: On this week’s Technicolor Jesus, Matt and Adam welcome Kenda Creasy Dean, The Mary Synott Chair of Youth, Church and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, to talk about adventure, aging, home and the movie UP. Part of Pixar’s run at the height of its powers (2007 Ratatouille, 2008 Wall-E, 2009 UP, and 2010 Toy Story 3), UP signals Pixar’s willingness to turn from some of the kid-focused stories of its early days (Toy Story, Bug’s Life) to stories that feel more grown-up in nature. UP is a movie about a man named Karl who is in the last chapter of his life. After the death of his beloved wife Ellie, Karl decides literally to fly his house to South America in search of the adventure they had never managed to take together. All sorts of hijinx ensue while Karl travels with Russell, a faithful boy scout who helps redeem Karl along the way and Carl, the lovable dog. Even underneath the hijinx, this movie never stops being a film about aging, grief, empty houses, and letting go. In the first segment, the conversation turns to questions of adventure, church and ministry. Kenda asks how can the church fully embody its call to adventure. In our second segment, the movie provides helpful guidance for thinking about Jesus’ admonition in Matthew’s gospel to serve “the least of these.” Finally, in the final segment, Matt and Adam shares some poems that have been inspiring them this week. So grab you balloons, find a beloved friend and prepare for an adventure because it is another week of Technicolor Jesus!
