by Jackson Sprayberry | Jun 15, 2010 | News Slider
From how the powers and principalities of the world influence the Christians’ role in the play of the world, to finding a story in the world, to how Christians should act in this play put on by the world, attendees of the conference were enlightened on the importance of a relationship between Christianity and the arts. Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking and penetrating insights was delivered by Dana Gioia, a former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. He set out to show the decrease of the Christian’s influence in writing today as compared to the mid-century. “If speaking of [mid-century] literature, you couldn’t do it without mentioning devout Christians,” he said. The names he referenced were those of Flannery O’Conner, Tennessee Williams, Thomas Merton, J.R. Tolken, C.S. Lewis, and Robert Fitzgerald. “All of these individuals identified with Christianity, even though Christianity wasn’t the most prominent idea of their time,” he said. He asserted that while Christians once actively participated, and more importantly influenced, literary review. In the eyes of Gioia, this is no longer true. He sees a group of writers who are Christians but won’t claim their identity in a positive light because they stand to gain nothing. “Society has little to no use for Christianity,” he said. He declared that we as Christians have “ceded the arts to secular culture,” which was a “radical departure from the Christian tradition,” and has left society, “without a transcendent vision.” And because of this departure, Gioia sees a spiritually impoverished society. Gioia adamantly asserted that he wasn’t suggesting all art should have a Christian influence, but rather,...
by Allison Woods | Jun 9, 2010 | News Slider
The diversity of the plenary addresses helped the Christian Scholar’s Conference stir conversation and challenge boundaries of perception. John Elkins and John Patrick Shanley both typified their speaking experiences during the weekend gathering at Lipscomb as pleasantly surprising. Neither artist knew much about his potential audience prior to coming here, but they both said the offer to speak at Lipscomb was too intriguing to ignore. A Church of Christ audience is not often presented to these two seasoned speakers. This year’s conference focused on all areas of the fine arts. Elkins opened the entire weekend of scholarship with a look at art and religion. “Two worlds that were once inseparable but have become estranged.” said Laura Lake Smith, chair of the Art Department, describing the reason for the weekend-long examination. Elkins’ invitation was triggered by his book on religious art. He wrote a book blurring the lines on what it means to combine religion and art. His speech was based on his arguments in the book. He talked about the art critics’ immediate dismissal of anything overtly religious. However, Elkins presented criteria for the art world’s acceptance of work that has religious undertones, even claiming that some artists are subconsciously religious. One marquee name — Thomas Kinkade — has been dismissed because he includes an overt statement with his work. Other artists like him similarly are cast aside from serious consideration because of their overtly religious statements. “The difference between conservative and progressive art schools [is based on] their opinion of Kinkade,” Elkins said. Elkins claims that one reason religion and art have been separated is because the topic is not presented in any mediums. Magazines and journals, textbooks, and...
by Jake Morgan | Jun 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
This video contains the final segment of a keynote speech by award-winning American playwright, John Patrick Shanley at the 30th annual Christian Scholars’ Conference. The speech was delivered in Collins Alumni Auditorium at Lipscomb University. Click to view the...
by Jake Morgan | Jun 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
This video contains brief segments of an interview with Mike Fernandez, chair of Lipscomb University’s Theater Department and Director of “Doubt.” This performance was done for the 2010 Christian Scholars’ Conference at Lipscomb University. Watch as Fernandez shares his story of pulling off an incredible show in front of award-winning playwright, John Patrick Shanley. Click to view the...
by Allison Woods | May 30, 2010 | News Slider
Beauty in the Academy: Faith, Scholarship and The Arts will be the central theme Thursday-through-Saturday when experts gather at Lipscomb for the 30st annual Christian Scholars’ Conference. The conference boasts a diverse group of plenary speakers, all scholars in their own right, weighing in on subject areas of art, literature, theater and music. Conference attendees also will have opportunities to share their thoughts in paper-and-panel sessions. The conference’s goal annually is to create and nurture an intellectual and Christian community that brings individuals and institutions together to stimulate networks of scholarly dialogue and collaboration. The conference was created by Dr. Thomas H. Olbricht of Pepperdine University and has been hosted by Church of Christ schools across the country. But now, the CSC calls Lipscomb University home most of the time. The conference attracts Christian scholars, from a wide variety of disciplines in the liberal arts and sciences, who wish to develop their own academic research. Professor David Fleer, advisory board chairman of the conference, coordinates the event for Lipscomb. “It’s as deep as scholarship as exists,” he said. Plenary Addresses–The Beauty The conference is structured around four plenary addresses, each featuring a scholar of focus in a later panel session. The Lipscomb Art Department supported the first speaker to lead the Colloquium for the Fine Arts. James Elkins is E.C. Chadbourne Professor in the Department of Art History, Theory and Criticism, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has written many books of art criticism, with a focus on the history and theory of images in art. His address, titled “Ongoing Issues between Religious Art and the Art World,” will open the conference in Alumni Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. Second in...
