From the anthems of U2’s concert closers to the rapping of Coolio, the Psalms continue to inspire countless contemporary cultural artifacts because they capture the human experience so incisively—everything from our longings and sufferings to awe and thanksgiving; from the “How long to sing this song”to the "He lifted me up out of the pit, out of the miry clay.” In fact, many of these modern songs and other works can provide a case study for what it looks like to create compelling art from a place of Christian conviction. 

Eugene Peterson has devoted much of his life to chewing on and digesting the depth of the Psalmists’ words, translating them into contemporary English in The Message. Meanwhile, perhaps no musician has brought the texts (and passion) of the Psalms to so many listeners as has Bono, leader of the band U2.  Commissioned by David Taylor, professor of theology and culture at Fuller Seminary, RVA film-maker Nathan Clarke and his crew spent time with Bono and Eugene at Peterson's home in Montana to talk about the Psalms and what that small collection of poems has meant to their bodies of work. What emerges is a conversation not just about their mutual love of the gift we have in the Psalms, but a vision of faithful creating.  

With makeRVA, Third Church is privileged to present a pre-release screening of the 20-minute documentary film that captures their conversation, and to host a discussion and Q&A with Nathan Clarke about the film and and themes it addresses.  Corey Widmer will moderate, so bring your questions and thoughts about art and the Psalms to the Third Church Sanctuary on Monday, April 25th at 7:00 PM.

Watch the teaser video below. . .