Author Archives: Kyle Norman
About Kyle Norman
I am a Priest in the Diocese of Calgary, serving the wonderful people of Holy Cross, Calgary. I watch reality television, I drink Starbucks coffee, and I read celebrity gossip columns. I am also a magician and often use magic tricks to teach the children at church the lessons of the Bible. I believe that God is present in the intricacy of our lives, and thus I believe that Pop Culture can provide intriguing lessons, examples, and challenges for our lives of faith. Connect with Kyle on Google+Entering Starbucks and Finding Worship
There is almost a spiritual communion that occurs between barista and customer, a communion in which the customer is indispensable. The one coming into Starbucks is not merely called to experience wonder, but to create it; to join into the drama of the production; to infuse the experience with their own sense of personality, expectation, and dreams. Continue reading
Exploring Redemption
What does it mean to be redeemed? Is redemption something that we win for ourselves, or is it something that is handed to us? Furthermore, once we receive such redemption, what are the instances and reasons for which that redemption could be lost? Are the plot devices of these reality shows highlighting a deeper and spiritual question? Continue reading
Pop Culture, Porn Culture 2
My last post dealt with the issue of pop culture’s current fascination with all things porn-like. I ended the post with a series of questions, pondering what it would be like for the church to engage in this issue. Here is my answer.
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Pop Culture or Porn Culture?
Let’s just put it right out there; Popular Culture is pretty pornographic isn’t it? Not only are there images and explanations of explicit sexuality everywhere, it seems to be getting worse. Continue reading
Why Pop Culture?
After a sermon a few weeks ago, a parishioner quipped, “Don’t you have anything better to do?” This comment was jovial in nature. It was not meant as a jeer or insult in any way. However, it donned on me that perhaps it would be prudent to write about why I take so much time to understand pop culture. Continue reading
You are Awesome
I don’t look like Brad Pit, Hugh Jackman, or Liam Hemsworth. I don’t have bulging biceps or chiseled abs. I don’t have strong cheek bones or a defined jaw line. I’m not worth millions of dollars, nor do I have the adorations of fans everywhere. Continue reading
Slow down, you’re moving too fast
Apparently the folks at the Calgary Police department like my car. I know this because they send me pictures of it fairly regularly. Continue reading
Picturing the Self
Just recently, The Pope himself has engaged this trend. You can read a report of this here. Needless to say, this says something about the cultural weight behind this trend. After all, when both the theological and Celebrity spectrums of my twitter feed speak of the same event, you have to know there is something to it!
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Twerks and Sea Shells
I have intentionally withheld posting this for the past couple of days, wanting to see if anyone would mention Gaga’s performance. Why is Miley Cyrus shamed for her scantily clad performance, while Lady Gaga is hailed as an artist for hers? What are the complex issues involved in this? Continue reading
Gimme Gimme Gimme!
A culture of instant gratification equates God’s love and faithfulness with positive responsiveness to all our wishes and whims. Despite the activity of God in the past, the testimony of God’s faithfulness, and the history of our own redemption, these things are just ‘not enough’. We want God to give us what we want when we want it.
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