About

I am the senior film and television reviewer for WORLD Magazine, and I’m also an associate professor at Houston Baptist University. This site is the place where I collect some of my thoughts and some of the things I’ve written elsewhere.
You’ll find I’m a bit of a contrarian. In temperament, I’m a joyful pessimist. Politically I’m an ambivalent monarchist. Culturally, I’m a bookish philistine. Religiously, I’m an Augustinian Baptist.
I grew up in Louisiana, where the best food in the world can be found (although Thailand ranks a close second). I met my wife in college, we’ve been married for 20 years, and we have four children. Though we now live in Houston, we still consider ourselves Louisianans. Living in Texas is a lot like being in captivity in Egypt—there’s work to do and the government is rich. Though we’re living in exile, we make frequent trips across the Sabine River, our River Jordan, to the promised land, a land flowing with gumbo and boudin.
Writing
For a sample of my academic writing, you can read what I think about Augustine, Donatists, and Martyrdom in An Age of Saints? (Brill’s Series on the Early Middle Ages), 2011.
I also write on popular topics. I’ve contributed to Reformation 21, The Federalist, and First Things. I was also one of the founding writers on HBU’s blog, Reflection and Choice.
My blog is the place I think out loud.
You can view my full CV.
Newest Posts
Readings in Late Antiquity
This spring semester, I’m teaching a class on Late Antiquity. When I say that, people usually ask, “What is Late Antiquity?” Late Antiquity is the period of transition… Read more “Readings in Late Antiquity”
Less and More Writing
What did I accomplish in 2016? I only wrote four posts for my personal blog. I wrote a couple of movie reviews for Reformation 21. I wrote… Read more “Less and More Writing”
Heir to the Jedi—Review of a Star Wars Novel
Heir to the Jedi is the first Star Wars book that I’ve read since Disney bought the universe and rebooted the novels with a fresh continuity. I had… Read more “Heir to the Jedi—Review of a Star Wars Novel”
Contact Me
Feel free to contact me with any questions, thoughts, or complaints at cgarbarino@hbu.edu. You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
Though I work for Houston Baptist University, this site does not necessarily reflect any views or positions endorsed by the university. All the unpopular opinions are my own.