Discipline Tracks 

Theology and Theatre: Points of Intersection
Todd Johnson (Fuller Theological Seminary) and Dale Savidge (North Greenville University)

          Todd Johnson and Dale Savidge will co-teach the class. The content will be based on their forthcoming book on theology and theatre, to be published by Baker Academic in their Engaging Culture series. The class will introduce topics and survey the history of Christianity and theatre, using a ritual-to-theatre paradigm, and paying special attention to the periods when the church either resisted or welcomed the use of theatre as a communicative medium.  In additions class members will be encouraged to share their personal histories in order to explore the wide variety of ways Christians relate to theatre arts. The first part will present three theological categories (incarnation, community and presence) which in combination set theatre apart from all other arts in reflecting the divine imagine. The second part will explore how theatre persists in a contemporary culture dominated by electronic media and virtual entertainment options. The conclusion looks at practical applications of these theological categories for those who create theatre and those who experience it as audience members or who use it in the church.