There is a gap between that which expresses and that which is expressed. But there is also a point of identity between them. It is the riddle and the depth of all expression that it both reveals and hides at the same time. – Paul Tillich, “Art and Ultimate Reality,” 2. (more…)
Sitting across from M.Div. student, Carly Gaeth, I listen as she reflects on her studies: “There is a quote that says, ‘Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says I will try again tomorrow.'” Carly pauses, looks right at me, and laughs. “Sometimes you suck. You just do! You’re like: I didn’t prepare! I didn’t say anything in class. I was not fully present. And that’s okay, but what you can do tomorrow is try again and try to be better.” (more…)
Recent alum Craig Lemming gave the following testimony on Theology and the Arts at United during a fundraising dinner for The Intersection: Wilson Yates Center for Theology and the Arts this past summer: (more…)
This semester I am taking Interpretation as Resistance: Womanist, Feminist, and Queer Approaches to the Bible taught by Professors Alika Galloway and Carolyn Pressler. This week’s reading concerns the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. Sarah is unable to bare children, which is unfortunate since her husband Abraham is supposed to father “a great nation” (Gen. 12.2). Sarah comes up with a plan to have Abraham use a surrogate: her Egyptian slave Hagar. Abraham agrees, lays with Hagar, and Hagar conceives. The Bible then tells us that Hagar “saw that she had conceived [and] looked with contempt on her mistress”(Gen.16.4). Sarah responds by being so cruel to Hagar that she runs away to the desert. Upon finding a spring of water, Hagar meets an angel of God who gives her an ambivalent message: go back and submit to a life of cruelty but also your son Ishmael will be the father of nations. A mixed bag, for sure. (more…)
Here at United, we love exploring the intersection of theology, culture, and art--so we're kicking off the new school year with a special community engagement opportunity for United students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Introducing Theology of Prince. (more…)
Craig Wright and Dominic Papatola have gone on to incorporate their ministry into the arts, particularly theatre. Below is the full video of the conversation with Wright from June 5. (more…)
When viewing art, we are mostly aware of our dialog with it. What do we see? What feelings does it raise in us? What is our response to it? Wilson Yates, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of United teaches there are also two other dialogs present – the dialog the artist had with the work while creating it and consequently, the dialog we have with the artist through the work of art. (more…)