Illuminate Conference

Madeleine L'Engle's “A Wrinkle in Time” and its sequels, written from a Christian worldview, drew censure from both secular and spiritual readers for a host of grievances, including grotesque representations of evil, elements of so-called "New Age-ism," and the negation of the dichotomy between science and God. Consequently, “A Wrinkle in Time” became one of the 20th century's most banned books. This session explores the origins and manifestations of such criticism and how L'Engle responded.

Presenter: Abigail Santamaria, MFA, author

What unique challenges do biographers face when writing about beloved figures? How do they make decisions about what to include or exclude when confronted with unflattering facts and anecdotes? How do they navigate their own biases while interpreting their subjects' work, relationships, and choices? Authors Abigail Santamaria, MFA, and Winn Collier, PhD, discuss these questions and more in relation to their biographies of Madeleine L'Engle, Joy Davidman (C.S. Lewis’ wife), and Eugene Peterson.

C.S. Lewis did not recover his childhood faith until he was in his early thirties. Though he was described as a "foul-mouthed atheist" in his teens and twenties, his restless spirit continued to long for an elusive beauty that he called Joy, and it was Joy that eventually brought him back to faith.

Presenter: David C. Downing, PhD, author and retired co-director of Wheaton College's Marion E. Wade Center

As technology steadily advances, so, too, does the temptation to blur the lines between man and machine. In the mid-20th century, agnostic author Kurt Vonnegut saw this tendency with prescience and forcefully resisted the trend, most notably in his earliest novel, “Player Piano.” Surprisingly enough, Vonnegut’s case resonates with a Christian anthropology, and the imaginative tools we find in his story well equip us for our own defense of human dignity and value today.

Presenter: Mary Baggett, PhD, Houston Christian University

Unique to utopian thinking is that achieving a world of plenty and peace comes by way of human endeavors—a programmatic and separatist way of life that supposedly will formulaically guarantee a life of shalom. Toni Morrison’s “Paradise” explodes such pretensions, highlighting instead how human-driven and human-centered reform projects often inflict much damage. In so doing, she encourages us to embrace incarnational, sacrificial love as the only true way toward genuine redemption. 

Presenter: Mary Baggett, PhD, Houston Christian University

Edmund Spenser concludes his epic poem from the 1590s on a grim note. The poet seemed to have lost his hope, utterly disillusioned with humanity. Yet after his death, a fragment of an additional book was found, a brilliant tale in which a cosmic battle between Mutability (Change) and Constancy roars. With a magnificent burst of faith, the poet steps outside of the stuff of earth into the deeper mechanisms of divine justice and beauty. C.S. Lewis wrote of this ending, “So far as we know, he [Spenser] had no intention of ending “The Faerie Queene” at this point. But has any poem ever had a better end?” (1967). Presenter Rebecca Reynolds is the author of a line-by-line, text-faithful prose version of Spenser’s poem. Come explore the Cantos of Mutabilitie with her and catch Spenser’s vision for truth that can never be shaken—not even in a turbulent world.

Presenter: Rebecca K. Reynolds, MA, associate publisher for Oasis Family Media

For her debut poetry collection, Molly McCully Brown finds inspiration in an unlikely source: a 20th century institution for the disabled. By imaginatively recreating the voices and perspectives of the Virginia State Colony’s residents, Brown emphasizes the God-given beauty of each soul, regardless of ability. This session includes reading and discussing several poems from the collection. 

Presenter: Emily McArthur, PhD, Southern Adventist University

The recent trend to “deconstruct” one’s faith is both elucidating and alarming. It is especially concerning if “deconstruction” leads to cynicism rather than healthy reconstruction. But are there cases when the act of "deconstructing" can be prophetic? In this session, we will discuss the relationship between the popularized understanding of “deconstruction” and literature that helpfully critiques “cultural” Christianity. Authors discussed include William Blake, Frederick Douglass, Charlotte Bronte, Flannery O'Connor, Margaret Atwood, Craig Thompson, and Yaa Gyasi.

Presenter: Mary McCampbell, PhD

Over the course of three decades, Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Wright composed nine books of poetry (a trilogy of trilogies) that can be read as a single, loosely organized cycle. This “Appalachian Book of the Dead” weaves together images ranging from rural Tennessee to metropolitan Italy and ruminates on ideas about God using sources ranging from country music to monasteries. This session is an exploration of how readers who join Wright on his journey—whether for a single poem or for a lifetime of reading—will find themselves on a nourishing quest for God.

Presenter: Daniel Gleason, PhD, Bryan College

In this interactive session, “Every Moment Holy” author Douglas McKelvey will lead participants through a series of exercises aimed at crafting a liturgical prayer—one that might serve to refocus the petitioner on the faithful stewarding of their own unique gifts. Bring a notebook and pen, or other means of writing, to the session. 

Presenter: Douglas McKelvey, author

Session instructors will provide writing tips and prompts as participants draft short flash fiction pieces in real-time (500 words or less) and share them with the group for peer review and encouragement. This workshop is for both established and beginner writers, as well as those simply interested in the craft.

Presenter: LaEsha Sanders, MFA, Southern Adventist University

In classical music, thematic recall has a special structural and affective significance. Robert Schumann, a composer of many wonderful piano works, symphonies, and chamber music, found the sonata-style approach to thematic recall as seen in the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven challenging. This propelled him to find innovative ways around this dilemma. Chung will demonstrate and describe Schumann's ingenuity and work-around through two piano works—"Papillons, Op. 2," and "Davidsbünlertänze, Op. 6"—while highlighting scriptural parallels in terms of how The Book of Revelation recalls important moments in Old Testament history, fulfilling the original reference.

Presenter: Mia Chung, DMA, Harvard University

The relationship between tension and resolution is the central driver of all good stories, including the ultimate story: the biblical narrative of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Music is a type of storytelling, as well. Sonata form (or style), the most enduring musical structure in classical music, possesses a narrative arc, much like the plot structure in a piece of fiction. Chung will demonstrate this through the harmonic architecture of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 "Waldstein."

Presenter: Mia Chung, DMA, Harvard University

"Combining elements of jazz, classical music, choral music, spirituals, gospel, blues and dance, Ellington’s three Sacred Concerts were first performed in 1965, 1968, and 1973. Ellington said it was the most important music he’d ever written." -New York Choral Society

This session will explore Ellington's colorful background and how the legendary musician came to create these spiritual pieces.

Presenter: Alan Wyatt, MM, Lee University

From Mendelssohn to Maverick City, discover the many ways in which the classical organ is a perfect fit for modern worship ensembles. Although the organ is known for its power, it is actually an instrument of extreme versatility and subtlety. This session will demonstrate the many ways the organ can be easily leveraged in a variety of contemporary worship styles to take a worship experience to new and unexpected levels.

Presenter: Devon Howard, DMA, Southern Adventist University

A practical exploration of the convergence of the historic and current to create worship which celebrates the God of tradition in a manner reflective of local practice and expressed in ways relevant to the contemporary worshiper. 

Presenter: Devon Howard, DMA, Southern Adventist University

Ismael Sandoval, assistant conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, loves bridge-building and frequently brings music to life in unorthodox venues. This session will explore collaborations that have led to performances in homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, hospitals, parks, and other atypical locations.

Presenter: Ismael Sandoval, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera

This session will consider the antecedents and developments of worship music among black and white Seventh-day Adventist congregations—a history that includes meaningful overlap with other protestant denominations—from the 1800s to contemporary praise and worship, and include conversation around how music cultivates the varied spiritual identities that surround and divide racial communities of faith. 

Presenter: David Williams, PhD, Andrews University

This session will explore the cultural challenges and practical opportunities of worship music for diverse communities, providing tools that help your church create a safe space of belonging for all people.

Presenter: David Williams, PhD, Andrews University

Explore principles and practices for crafting effective congregational songs. Participants will learn through experimentation and collaboration as we write a worship song together over the course of two 90-minute sessions (one session per day). Sessions are open to aspiring lyricists and musicians, so bring an acoustic instrument if you want – or just come and actively observe the creative process.

Presenters: Nick Zork, PhD, NYC Church of Advent Hope; and Chris Slaten, Chattanooga Christian School

John Hendrix, author and illustrator, has been drawing in church in his "Sunday Sketchbook" for as long as he can remember. This session—showcasing John’s “Holy Ghost” comics, his picture book retellings of Bible stories, and his Sunday sketchbook practice—will explore the interplay between improvisation, image-making, writing, and the gospel.

Presenter: John Hendrix, MFA, Washington University in St. Louis

What is art? What is Visual Culture? Is there such a thing as "Christian Art"? John Hendrix, author and illustrator, kicks off this session by asking these big questions and reorienting our understanding of art into one that considers both mystery and clarity. Next, consider how the Church can engage in art and visual culture and find ways to express “unusual beauty.” Finally, learn how Christians—as individuals and as congregations—can engage with art and better understand the character of God through participation in art-making.

Presenter: John Hendrix, MFA, Washington University in St. Louis

In our contemporary algorithm-driven and largely digital reality, we are catechized to make snap judgments with barely a glance. But art provides us with the opportunity to develop a countercultural practice of close and sustained looking. This, in turn, can help us engage more purposefully with our world and our neighbors in love. This workshop introduces practices of close looking that can be used in both a museum context and our daily lives.

Presenter: Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, PhD, Covenant College

C.S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” Michelangelo’s "David" might be the single greatest sculpture made by an individual in the history of humanity. This multi-media examination of how Michelangelo’s David came to be highlights our hunger to be in the presence of glory in a world that is wasting away, and how our desire for perfection is actually evidence that we were made for something deeper, something more.

Presenter: Russ Ramsey, MDiv, author and pastor

One of the most heart-breaking parts of Van Gogh’s story is how he often remembered his outbursts and breakdowns. This multi-media presentation outlines the details of the fateful night Van Gogh cut off his ear, and examines the sacred work of what it looks like to steward one another’s pain. If the Lord, in his kindness, gives us the blessing of friendship, he is most certainly calling us to the holy work of burden bearing. Van Gogh’s life shows us that to really know a person is, at least in part, to know them by their sorrows. Be gentle. This is a hard world. 

Presenter: Presenter: Russ Ramsey, MDiv, author and pastor

Rockwell’s body of work unfolded as history revealed new insights into what was happening around him. And inside of him. At the end of his career as one of America’s most celebrated illustrators, he said, “For 47 years, I portrayed the best of all possible worlds—grandfathers, puppy dogs—things like that. That kind of stuff is dead now, and I think it’s about time.” In this multi-media presentation, learn how and why Rockwell changed, and the world with him, as he showed America back to us.

Presenter: Presenter: Russ Ramsey, MDiv, author and pastor

Kevin Jackson, senior cinematic animator for Epic Games, covers his journey from faith-based schooling to working on top films. He’ll discuss his process of making a case for faith in an environment that can be hostile toward believers.

Presenter: Kevin Jackson, animator

Using Francis Schaeffer's template, we deconstruct worldviews presented in contemporary art and films, exploring how secular content conveys pieces of sacred truths and provides opportunities for life-changing conversations. 

Presenter: Kevin Jackson, animator

In this hands-on drawing workshop—open to beginners through advanced—we’ll explore how close attention to the human form can lead to a deeper understanding of our Creator. Instruction takes place over two days, but guests who can only attend a single session are welcome. Materials provided.

Presenter: Jesse Rademacher, MFA, Southern Adventist University

Experience what it is like to pull a print! Linocut blocks from "Every Moment Holy" and other projects are available for guests to ink up and apply to paper. All materials supplied. No experience necessary. Limited spots available; sign up on site. 

Presenter: Ned Bustard, artist

Peterson spoke often of the "Christian imagination," always invoking the Scriptures as our truest guide us into this deeper, wider world. Why is it so crucial to nurture a "baptized imagination"? And why are our poets, storytellers, and artists of every sort so essential in this holy work?

Presenter: Winn Collier, PhD, author, pastor, and director of the Eugene Peterson Center

Identified by C.S. Lewis as a powerful influence on his spiritual life, Sayers’ plays about Jesus changed thousands of lives—after causing one of the biggest religious controversies in 20th century England due to naivete about the arts. We unpack how her innovative Christian Aesthetic is as relevant today as when she astounded theologians in the 1940s with her trinitarian understanding of creativity.

Presenter: Crystal Downing, PhD, retired co-director of Wheaton College's Marion E. Wade Center

C.S. Lewis rarely held onto letters people sent him, but such was not the case with those from Dorothy L. Sayers, whom Lewis described as “one of the great English letter writers.” The friendship of Lewis and Sayers will come to life through this dramatic reading of their insightful and amusing correspondence: letters that illuminate a side of Lewis most people don’t have an opportunity to see.

Presenter: Crystal Downing, PhD, retired co-director of Wheaton College's Marion E. Wade Center; Robert Downing, PhD, retired co-director of Wheaton College's Marion E. Wade Center

Explore the dynamic and emerging field of arts in health, where creativity meets wellness. Discover how engaging in creative activities can foster mental, emotional, and physical well-being, supported by a growing body of research. This session includes an interactive storytelling exercise designed to spark imagination and highlight the healing power of creativity. Perfect for anyone curious about the intersection of the arts and health!

Presenter, Richard Hickam, DWS, corporate director of Music & the Arts at AdventHealth

As the trauma of the World War II drew to a close, Japanese society was left in a state of deep shock. Not only was the country reeling from severe atomic damage, but the loss also forced a widespread re-evaluation of national identity. Enter Eiji Tsubaraya, creator of the beloved superhero Ultraman, who caught a vision for helping children grow courage, kindness, and hope in the wake of mass psychological trauma. This session will explore Tsubaraya’s personal history as a creator and then study several monsters (kaiju) Ultraman faced in the original series. What are these beings? Why do they emerge? What lessons might they teach us about storytelling in our own tumultuous era? For the first time since its inception in the 1960s, the leadership of Tsubaraya Fields Inc. has trusted a North American author, Rebecca Reynolds, to create a new series of middle grade books. Come hear her share more about why she believes Ultraman is so relevant to a modern American audience. 

Presenter: Rebecca K. Reynolds, MA, associate publisher of Oasis Family Media

Why do we love dystopian narratives that reflect both our fear of death and an obsession with the end? In this session, we will examine how popular end-time tales (in literature, film, and television) reflect modern, postmodern, and ancient understandings of the apocalyptic genre. If we look a bit closer, we will see that the popularity of these artistic depictions can reveal covert spiritual desires for epiphany and revelation.

Presenter: Mary McCampbell, PhD

In this genre-crossing conversation, the particular hardships and rewards of collaborative creative processes will be discussed by a panel experienced in a variety of creative genres and mediums. 

Presenters: Douglas McKelvey, Ned Bustard, Rebecca K. Reynolds, Andy Gullahorn, Jill Phillips

Storytelling is humanity’s oldest form of teaching. It united early human communities, providing answers to life’s most profound questions about creation, existence, and the afterlife. While not every culture around the world is literate, every culture tells stories. One powerful example is the Passover story found early in the Bible—a narrative that continues to lie at the core of Jewish identity. This ritual has survived over millennia not only because it unfolds within the home, rather than a synagogue, but because it places children at its heart, inviting the youngest child to ask, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Together, we’ll uncover the ways stories shape our lives, connect generations, and define the practices that ground us in our beliefs and cultures.

Presenter: Mervyn Weir, creative director of Krik Krak Media

“Jamaica Love,” a shoestring production about the long and complicated history between Britain and islanders from the Caribbean, found critical and commercial success in a crowded London theatre market filled with blockbuster jukebox musicals built around icons of pop history (Tina Turner and Michael Jackson). How? We explore the one aspect where all productions stand equal: storytelling. Can you tell a compelling story that stirs imaginations, lifts spirits, and leaves indelible memories? 

Presenter: Mervyn Weir, creative director of Krik Krak Media

Listen in—and ask questions!—as a collection of secondary teachers and homeschool educators discuss the challenges and joys of engaging students with the arts.

For artists and writers, keeping a sketchbook can help hone your best impulses into clear ideas. Drawing games and group activities will demonstrate some key takeaways. 

Presenter: John Hendrix, MFA, Washington University in St. Louis