mediation

mediation is dedicated to fostering creative dialogue at the intersection of faith and culture by situating this general discussion within the increasingly pervasive arena of electronic media. Working within the Christian tradition, with hopes of engaging the often bewildering array of cultural products in our global village, the diverse contributors of this blog seek to offer criticism that is constructive and dialogue-oriented. In a spirit of hospitality and humility the contributors would like to invite you into this electronically mediated conversation on media.

Contributors:

Brett David Potter is working on a PhD in theology, art and culture at the Toronto School of Theology (St. Michael’s College) and has an MCS in Christianity and the Arts from Regent College in Vancouver. Alongside his academic interests, Brett is also an active artist working in the areas of film/video, music and poetry. He is married to a wonderful woman and has two small dogs. He blogs at http://brettdavidpotter.wordpress.com, as well as regularly for the TOJ Mediation blog.

Thomas Turner works for a big four accounting firm, is an Adjunct Professor of English at Nyack College, and is the Senior Editor, Literary Arts and Web Content Editor of GENERATE Magazine. He is a lay leader at The Plant, a church community cultivating love, truth and compassion in Mahwah, New Jersey.

Joshua Busman is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in musicology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds a BM in music theory and composition from Middle Tennessee State University as well as an MA in musicology from UNC. His current research deals with music in religious communities (specifically in evangelicalism), music and politics in the twentieth century, musical postmodernism, and critical theory. Alongside his academic interests, Joshua works with Durham CAN, a multi-racial, multi-faith, grassroots political organization in Durham County. When he isn’t reading or writing, Joshua enjoys hanging out with his wonderful wife and hound dog at their home in the Bull City.

Brian Bennett is the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Morgantown, WV, where he has served for the past seven years. Before entering seminary and the parish he had studied physics at Oberlin College and had been working on a Ph.D. in acoustics at Penn State. Theology won out however when he noticed more and more energy being devoted to ministry-related things and less and less to lab things. His theological juices salivated mightily when he took a course in Film & Theology in seminary. Reflecting on culture, movies, music, comic books and other media has become a central interest to him and it shows in his teaching and preaching. Brian is married to a wonderful wife who has put up with him and his geeky interests for the past eleven years. They have three children, two boys and a girl. He also spends time participating (he would never say compete) in triathlons and other endurance events.

Aaron Darrisaw: I graduated university with a B.A. in philosophy. I am currently working on staff with a local church plant in Macon, GA, as well as studying to obtain a Master of Arts in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary (Atlanta Campus). I aspire to attain a PhD. in New Testament studies and become a professor of New Testament/Religion & Philosophy. I’m a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and the Society of Christian Philosophers.

Kelly A. Hickman earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Theology at Boston College, where she devoured Russian literature, theological discourse, and hosted an independent music show on WZBC. Kelly recently graduated from Seattle University’s School of Theology & Ministry with a Master of Arts in Transforming Spirituality. A native Seattleite, Kelly works a nine to five, blogs on spirituality and the stuff of everyday life, runs for pleasure, and watches shameful amounts of crime television.