On the 17th – 19th September I will be the keynote speaker at an exciting conference entitled Matter ’09: A Creative Theology Event.

The conference will be taking place in Austin, Texas and is designed to provide a space for meaningful conversation between artists, theologians, philosophers, theorists, and anyone else interested in the intersection of faith and the arts.

The other contributors include,

Bill Mallonee & Vigilantes of Love

Bill Mallonee has been called “one of the top 100 living songwriters” by Paste Magazine.  Mallonee, the lyrical and musical source behind the Americana indie band Vigilantes of Love, started playing music in the late 80’s. His early work was inspired by the post-punk-pop of  XTC, Joy Division, the Clash, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Still, his deeper love for Dylan, Neil Young and other artists and writers of the “American experience” left an indelible mark on his writing and vocal delivery.

Joseph Frost: Playwright/Actor

Joseph Frost is a playwright, director, and actor living in Jackson, Mississippi. Frost has won awards for his writing for both stage (The Great Play) and screen (The Heart of Saturday Night).  His play Anathema was selected as a part of Square Top Repertory Theatre’s 2009 New Works Festival, and his plays were the feature of the 2005 Malone College Playwright’s Showcase. He is the Chair of Theatre at Belhaven College and the founding artistic director of the Floodlight Theatre Company.

Dr. Cassandra Falke: Literature & Critical Theory

Cassandra is an Assistant Professor of English at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. She is the editor of Intersections in Christianity and Critical Theory (forthcoming: Palgrave/Macmillan), the author of A Mote in the Eye of Literature: Working-Class Autobiography in the Early Nineteenth Century, and a committed teacher.

Dr. Warren Langford: Textual Criticism and Biblical Languages

Warren currently serves as minister of youth at First United Methodist Church in New Iberia, Louisiana. His primary interest is the connection of art and text in ancient New Testament Greek manuscripts. He was one of the designers of the CNTTS Greek New Testament Textual Apparatus as well as a continual contributor to the publication. He has spent the last 4 years working with post-Katrina/Rita churches in south Louisiana.

Graeme Lowry: Film & Installation Art

Graeme is a native New Mexican who has lived and worked in Los Angeles for the past five years. His various post-production jobs on such reality TV gems as “The Simple Life,” “Road Rules,” “Dress My Nest,” “Miss America,” & MTV’s “Damage Control” have lead him to believe Hollywood thinks Americans are stupid. Graeme believes as individuals we aren’t, but collectively we might be. He’s a filmmaker and a storyteller, or at least that’s what his therapist tells him he is.

Dr. Justin McBrayer:  Philosophy of Religion

Justin is a philosopher from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.  He works in a wide variety of areas including philosophy of religion, epistemology, and both applied and meta ethics.  His published work has been featured in a number of journals including Philosophical Studies, Faith & Philosophy, and Bioethics.

Rebekah Wilkins-Pepiton: Photography & Mixed Media

Beka is a visual artist and an educator. She works as a freelance photographer and designer and  teaches visual art at Pagosa Springs High School in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Her book, Broken Cycles (Shechem Press, 2007), is a collaboration between poetry and the photographic image. Beka’s work has been shown at galleries in Durango, CO; Pagosa Springs, CO; Moscow, ID; Plainview, TX; and Marshall, TX.

Not only will the quality of contributors ensure some great content, but it is a perfect place to make lasting, meaningful connections with those exploring the cutting edge of art and faith. In addition to that it will be the first place anywhere in the US where you can get your hands on my Jack T. Chick stlye tract! This is not a conference to miss

Hope to see you there.

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