Joel Clarkson

In this engaging discussion, Joel Clarkson, a film score composer, writer, and theologian, explores the essential role of beauty in Christianity. He argues that beauty is crucial for enriching worship and spiritual practice. Topics include the transformative power of music in liturgy, the theological connections between beauty and faith, and the legacy of figures like Anselm and Aquinas in understanding divine encounters. Clarkson highlights how beauty evokes longing for transcendence and fosters deeper relationships with the divine.

Ancia Smith, a speaker renowned for her insights on Christian imagination, joins Joel Clarkson, a thoughtful voice in exploring faith and creativity. They dive into what it means to have a Christian imagination in a predominantly secular world. The conversation explores the transformation through faith, the disconnect in artistic expression from Christian influences, and how literature reflects themes of guilt and redemption. They also discuss the importance of community in creative endeavors and the need for a renaissance in Christian perspectives.