August 3, 2018
A History of Arts and Spirituality in Christianity with Wilson Yates
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July 12, 2018
“Art is an Invocation of Beauty.” Meet Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman, Assistant Professor of Theology & the Arts.
"What is your responsibility to yourself as an artist, integrity, ethics––why are you compelled to make things, and then to whatever community you are in and your artwork is intended for?" These are the questions Dr. Jennifer Awes Freeman asks as she begins a three-year appointment at United as Assistant Professor of Theology and the Arts. (more…)
June 29, 2018
Panel on the Art of Jimmy Reagan Video
On October 9, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities hosted a panel about the artist Jimmy Reagan. Jimmy Reagan is internationally recognized as an Outsider Artist. Diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, he creates in a way that isn't impeded by the rules of mainstream art. Monday's panel included Jimmy's mother Peg Reagan, Associate Professor Emerita of Theology & the Arts at United Jann Cather Weaver, and artist Jeff Anderson. You can view the video of the whole panel below. The exhibit Conversations with Jimmy will be up at United until November 30, 2017. (more…)
June 29, 2018
Showcasing Student Work: Theology in Contemporary Film
In Spring 2018, students had the opportunity to enroll in United's course TR650: Theology in Contemporary Film taught by Dr. Jann Cather Weaver. Dr. Weaver selected a number of films from the last 18 years, and each week, students were assigned to view a film outside of class. After watching the assigned movie twice and doing class readings, each student wrote a paragraph on the religious and ethical themes in the film and posed a theological question to be discussed in class. Focusing on films that are not explicitly religious, the course teaches students how to see theologically, and explore implicit theologies in art. (more…)
June 29, 2018
Wearing the Church: On the 2018 Met Gala
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…)
“I was born on Palm Sunday and I’ve never stopped!” Meet Current Student Carly Gaeth.
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…)
April 16, 2018
“An Exquisite Artform Consumes Our Hearts, Minds, and Spirits Entirely:” Craig Lemming ’17 on Theology and the Arts at United.
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…)
January 10, 2018
Readings on Rosh Hashana: Hagar, Abraham, and the Reality of Pain
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…)
November 8, 2017
THEOLOGY OF PRINCE PLAYLIST
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…)