A Conversation with Zack Braff

So... I'm in Madison, WI this week taking a Church History class with a bunch of InterVarsity folk (thinking about establishing the swear corner in class this morning). My theology timeline seems to be a little out of wack- taking a post-modernity class right before a Church History (1500-Present) class. However, I'm actually much more intrigued with church history as a result of our class time together. There are some remarkable similarities. We are currently discussing the reformation, which has somewhat an ironic resembance to our post-modern/post-Christian shift.

I'm mainly referring to both the resistance and intrigue of an "unfamiliar" view of theology. I feel as if we are in the mid-late 1500s era again. A lot of Christians are weary of having to deal with post-Christian realities- some churches cringe at the idea of interacting with popular culture while some find it refreshing to embrace- to jumpstart the shedding of baggage that misrepresents Christ and theology.

I was sitting on State St. in downtown Madison preparing for a class presentation on Luther when I heard a beautiful "jazz" sound that gradually got louder. It sounded rough as if I were listening to it on vinyl (reminded me of the street lyric we listened to in class). Soon I spotted a guy carrying an old-school "boom box" as if I were watching a scene out of Breakdancin'. I was mesmerized. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his head. My surroundings were even more interesting: upper class sipping smoothies, various street musicians earning a few bucks, gay men and women walking hand in hand, official emo representatives wearing women's jeans (2 sizes too small), businessmen having a beer, a sex pistols look alike crew working the streets, a kid wearing a Young Life t-shirt, myself, and various InterVarsity staff.

The guy I was having lunch commented on the scene and I mentioned how the street represented a wonderful array of our culture- a rare and intriguing scene. As we were walking back to our class, he asked me if I had seen Garden State. . He pointed out a guy ahead of us and commented how much he looked like "the guy from the movie." He had just stopped at an ATM machine next to us. I couldn't figure out why Zach Braff would be in downtown Madison- but because I was such a big fan of the movie (top of my list for 2004- Sorry Craig- Eternal Sunshine was 3)- decided to hang at the corner and see if it was in fact him. He turned around and I was confident- decided to say hi- and tell him that I appreciated the movie and that it was personally impactful.

The conversation went so well, we ended up grabbing a beer and discussing theology, pop culture, and film, and... okay, I'm kidding- but he was extremely nice and cared enough to ask my name and respond with grattitude. I figured out later, he is here filming for his next film "The Last kisss", which I believe is being directed/produced by the Million Dollar Baby folk. Well.. back to the Reformation.

(Oh, P.S. - it's now "the evening" and I don't think the swearing is going to go over as well - long story- but the end of the story is that it was awkward).

Bob