Dr Paul Allen

Annie Jones, who suffered from hypertrichosis. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The Greatest Showman . The movie tells the story of P.T. Barnum , the son of a poor tailor who becomes one of the leading entertainers in the world. The theme [spoiler alert] is about the folly of trying to find personal value in acceptance and love from society. The film focuses on various “outcasts” who feel rejected by broader culture (Barnum, circus performers , etc.), but eventually find a deeper kind of meaning in close, personal relationships. Since he grew up poor, and as an outsider, Barnum desperately sought societal applause. Even after marrying his sweetheart, having two beautiful daughters, building a successful show, buying an expensive home, and getting invited to the “important” social events, Barnum still felt the need to prove himself to the world. His wife warns him about the futility of such an endeavor, but he persists nonetheless. And it nearly cost him his marriage and career. A...

The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind by El Greco, c. 1570 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) As Jesus and His disciples passed through Jerusalem , they came upon a man who had been blind from birth. This surfaced a question in the minds of the disciples that they must have been wrestling with for some time. They asked, Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?—John 9:2 Their dilemma was based upon a wrong assumption they had been taught all their lives, namely, that illness is a sign of God ’s judgment. There was no question in their minds that someone had sinned. But who? The disciples were trying from their limited perspective to answer a question we often find ourselves asking. It is the why question. Why did this happen? Why did my son run away? Why did my father contract cancer? Why did our house burn? Why did I lose my job? Why was I sued? The questions are endless. Each of us has a specific list. Sometimes there is so much emotion involved we dare not ...

Depiction of the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. Photograph of stained glass window at Scots' Church, Melbourne (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Author: Think Christian. Les Miserables, which won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy earlier this week, is easily the most explicitly religious movie I've seen in a long time. Characters speak of Lucifer's fall, the never-ending road to Calvary, beggars at the feast and many other Biblical references. More generally, the conflict between the two main characters - Jean Valjean and Javert - resembles a problem central to Christian morality : the tension between mercy and the law. The movie begins with the parole of Jean Valjean ( Hugh Jackman ), a laborer who once stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children. Even after serving 19 years, Valjean is informed by police inspector Javert ( Russell Crowe ) that he is not really free. He is branded a thief and an ex-convict, preventing him from finding...