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Feature Stories
 COVER STORY
The Cult of Celebrity
In a culture that is increasingly enraptured by the idea of celebrity, it makes sense to take a step back and consider how we might break that trend. Movie critic and culture writer Brett McCracken takes a look at the root behind the obsession, what it means and how Christians can respond.
The Myriad
MTV2’s Breakout Band of the Year has much to celebrate these days, and high on their list is the recent release of their newest album, With Arrows, With Poise, which unveiled a more mature—and characteristically deep—sound from the Myriad. Here they discuss the new opportunities provided them by MTV, their creative process in producing With Arrows and the faith that has carried them this far.
2008 Summer Reading Guide
In our annual selection of summer reads, we bring to you the latest and greatest: everything from classics to spiritual to pop culture; from Augusten Burroughs to Salman Rushdie to Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. We also include Q&As with such luminaries as Michael Chabon and Anne Rice.
 ONLINE BONUS: Go here to check out more book recommendations and author Q&As.
Groundbreaking Filmmakers
Few things can make an impact—and do so on a broad scale—like a hard-hitting, visually stunning, eye-opening film driven by the desire to create lasting change. In this special section, we take a look at four filmmakers who are breaking the mold—Morgan Spurlock, Lesley Chilcott, Alejandro Monteverde and Dan Chilcott—and hear about the passions that inspired their compelling films.
Slices
Building an Emerald City
After a tornado devastated the town of Greensburg, Kan., the town’s citizens decided to rebuild the entire area using eco-friendly methods. Read up on what they did, and take a look at some of the other green cities across the country.
Counter Culture: Cards for Kiva
Not everyone has the ability to donate money to organizations they believe in, but the girls behind Cards for Kiva show that it’s possible make a difference by doing something you love and are already doing—in their case, crafting and selling greeting cards, and investing profits through Kiva.org, a micro-lending organization aimed at helping the poverty-stricken across the globe.
The Scene: Seattle
Seattle is more than just the Space Needle, great music and coffee—though it’s definitely got plenty of that to go around. If you’re planning a visit—or considering one—be sure to check out RELEVANT’s guide to the can’t-miss sights and sounds of this northwestern cultural mecca.
Revolution
For Roberto Pena, Seeds of Hope is not simply about paying infrequent visits to children in the orphanages of Sao Paulo, Brazil—it’s about building lasting relationships and creating hope and opportunities where, before, there were none. By establishing trade schools, Pena hopes to minister to the at-risk youth by empowering them with education and skills to take them beyond the streets.
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God
Deeper Walk: Hungry
Though we naturally associate hunger and gluttony with food, in our spiritual lives, it’s often easy to look to other things besides God to satiate our hunger and emptiness. Referencing the generous provision of manna to the Israelites in the Book of Exodus, Winn Collier reminds us that God provides so that we would know He is the only one who can satisfy our cravings.
Redemptive Power of Film
It’s easy to write off a film—or book or song, for that matter—as beneath Christian values, and too often, that is what the followers of Christ tend to do. But, as film critic Jeffrey Overstreet has learned through years of watching, re-watching and analyzing countless movies, it’s often in the darkest, most unexpected places that we can see the power and beauty of redemption.
The RELEVANT 10
From American History to The Royal Tenenbaums to The Big Kahuna, we bring you our pick of the 10 most spiritually significant movies of the last 10 years. Yes, there is violence, sexual content and foul language on this list—but there is also grace, hilarity, redemption and love, reminding us of the things we can glean when we are willing to move beyond initial judgments.
ONLINE BONUS: Go here to check out more film picks.
Life
Nagaland
Though Nagaland, a remote region in India, is today a largely Christian civilization, the clash of generations brings to light the conflicting legacy left by the well-meaning missionaries of the past. But the emerging Naga leaders—the twenty- and thirtysomethings—are committed to bridging the cultural and spiritual gap, bringing hope to a people unsure of what the future holds.
Progressive Culture
The Roots
Just as they were 15 years ago, The Roots are still making a statement with their music. In an interview with RELEVANT, The Roots frontman ?uestlove opens up about everything from their new album, Rising Down, to their role as musical innovators, to the strong social and political stances they are unafraid to take.
Phantom Planet
With a new album out and a fan base that is unwaveringly loyal, Phantom Planet seems like they are finally about to shed their identity as the the band ex-drummer Jason Schwartzmann left to pursue his acting career—or, as frontman Alex Greenwald puts it, “the longest-running famous unknown band.” Oh, and let’s not forget the curse (or blessing?) of being known as the group behind The O.C.anthem “California.”
Spotlights:
The Whigs, Edison Glass, Lyrics Born
Recommends
Darfur Now, The Great Debaters, Control, Scarlett Johansson, Showbread, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Wolf Parade, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie,
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Cult of Celebrity, Redemptive Power of Film, Phantom Planet, Spiritually Significant Films, The Roots, Groundbreaking Filmmakers, The Myriad
