Kenny and Mike discuss and spot faith in the latest film by legendary filmmaker Steven Speilberg. Disclosure Day stars Emily Blunt as a Kansas City TV presenter Margaret Fairchild whose life is suddenly changed when she appears to have a neurological breakdown on air. Josh O'Connor co-stars as Cyber Security expert Daniel Kellner who is determined to disclose proof that Governments and other powers have been keeping proof of extra-terrestrial life away from the public. Government agencies race to capture Kellner before he can release the information. Margaret Fairchild seeks to help Kellner succeed in releasing the information. One of the chief concers about releasing the information is how the public would accept the information that they are not alone as well as the truth that governments have kept this secret.

Faith Issues:

Kellner's girlfriend, Jane (Eve Hewson) pushes Kellner if he and those supporting releasing the information have considered the impact on persons including, communities of faith, whether Aliens who may exist on a higher level than humans would impact the Judeo Christian faith in the existance of God, the place of humanity within creation, and if God is soverign over extra-terrestrials. The Hebrew Bible and New Testament teach that humanity is the top of the created order. Genesis 1 teaches God created all of the universe and that humans are created in the image and likeness of God, and Psalm 8 proclaims humans are described as just below the divine.

Most theologians would accept that God is God of all the universe including extra-terrestrials. Even without the presence of extra-terrestrials, this conversation can serve to open the consideration of what responsibilities come with being the top of the created orderd, and as Genesis teaches, stewards of God's creation. Created in the image and likeness of God is that which separates humanity from the rest of creation. After considering what the impact of a disclosure of extra-terrestrials should be how should humanity live up to the honor and responsibility of being the highest order of creation

Mike and Kenny offer a double feature episode as they discuss and spot faith presented in the two box office leading supernatural horror films Obsession and Backrooms. Both films are directed by first time feature film directors Curry Barker (Obsession) and Kane Parsons (Backrooms.) Barker (26) and Parsons (20) gained very large followings by directing shorts on YouTube and represent new voices and ways of making and distributing films.

Obsession stars Michael Johnston (Baron "Bear" Bailey) and Inde Navarette (Nikki Freeman) with costars Cooper Tomlinson (Ian) and Megan Lawless Sarah). Inspired by an episode of The Simpsons (The Monkee Claw) the story is a modern parable on being careful what you ask or pray for. Bear is very attracted to Nikki yet is afraid to share his feelings to her, and allow her to decide how to respond, so in a moment of frustration he makes a wish using a novelty item, "One Wish Willow" which promises to grant the owner one wish. He wishes she would love him more than anyone in the world. The wish is granted and she immediately responds and quickly becomes obsessed with Bear.

Faith Reflections:

The destructive nature of obsession which equates with idolatry and coveting. Obsession grows from a desire to own and control and within relationships removes the agency of the target of the obsession. Love cannot be compelled. God offers every person the freedom to accept and return God's love. Romans 1:24-32 reflects the result when persons do not follow the example of God, and in this case is a perversion of the nature of love which seeks to build community, which reflect the essence, nature and desire of God.

Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (Clark) and Renate Reinsve (in a Dr. Mary Kline). Clark is seeing Mary for therapy as he seeks to work through his anger, grief, from his divorce. Mary is also dealing with trauma resulting from her mother's mental illness and distance. Clarke owns a failing discounted furniture store which is adding to his struggles and further fueling his struggle with alchohol. Clarke discovers an entry into a new realm of endless backrooms that are littered with pieces of furniture, cardboard people as well as other entities. Clarke tells Mary of his discovery and she does not believe him. In an effort to help Clarke, Mary visits the store and finds herself lost in the backrooms and chased by an entity.

Faith Reflections:

Liminality, the margins of new space and time. These can be very uncomfortable times and places. Living in the liminal time between the inauguration of God's Kingdom through the birth of Jesus, and the fulfillment of Kingdom, there is confusion, anxiety. While created in the image and likeness of God, through sin and the brokenness of creation, humanity is a deformed replica of what God created.

Kenny and Mike are joined by director Theo Avgerinos and cast / contributor Rev. Dr. Jason Coker for a discussion of Rising Hope, a documentary film about the struggles and hope exerpienced by the residents of several towns in the Mississippi Delta. The film examines the rich history, decline, struggles that depleated the area of it's wealth and many of its residents, but not the hope of those who are determined and build a new narrative for the region and people. The film does not shy away from many of the causes of the regions decline including systematic racism and well as the effects of the NAFTA trade agreement.

Faith Issues:

Faith and hope are interwoven throughout the film and history of the region. In depicting the deternimation, courage and faith of residents the film can inspire others facing difficulties to not be defined by what is lacking but by what is present and the possibilities that grow out of determination, community and working together. Rising Hope echos the teaching in Hebrews 11 that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.