Imagination Redeemed

Brian and Heidi explain our season focus (Why We Create), and tee up the big question: what is the relationship between eternity and what I do with my time now?

Explore the fascinating theme of creation theology and its impact on our lives. Delve into J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Leaf by Niggle,' uncovering how distractions shape creativity within faith. Discover the importance of ordinary moments in the grand narrative of existence. Get inspired by upcoming spring activities aimed at fostering community engagement and creativity. Listen to personal stories from the audience as they connect through shared experiences.

How do you write fantasy without just trying to write another Lord of the Rings? How did Tolkien's faith (and particularly his Catholicism) inform his approach to writing? What did his home life look like? What were his views on women, anyway?  With the help of a live Zoom audience, Brian interviews Word on Fire scholar and (forthcoming) Tolkien biographer Holly Ordway.

Amy Lee, one of the Anselm Society's Arts Guild directors, reads her short story, "The Ferryman," which was featured in the previous episode. You can find the story text at https://www.amybaiklee.com/2016/09/20/the-ferryman-part-1/.

Pastors: you want to get artists more involved in the life of the church, but where do you begin? Artists: how can you respond (or initiate)? Anselm Arts Guild co-director Amy Lee and her pastor, Kevin Boaz, share the story of what happened when Kevin asked Amy to read an original story in a Sunday morning service.

What does it look like to create for others? For community? How can people learn to interact with art, rather than just look at it or listen to it? How can we be people who are defined by seeking magic and meaning, rather than discouraging such behavior? Brian interviews Jonathan Pageau to learn from the ancient practice of icon carving. Find Jonathan Pageau on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/pageaujonathan.

In our continuing series discussing the unique call of the Christian artist ("centric genius"), Brian interviews Lancia Smith about her work with The Cultivating Project.

In our continuing series discussing the unique call of the Christian artist ("centric genius"), Brian talks with John Skillen about the ways in which the church used to create art together...and just maybe, how it can do so again.

In which Brian, Heidi, and Lancia summarize the concept of the "centric genius" and discuss its implications for both artists and churches. In this, the second part, we get into the implications for church, and whether we have to give up being "weirdos."

In which Brian, Heidi, and Lancia summarize the concept of the "centric genius" and discuss its implications for both artists and churches.