Details

28 July 2023
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Ridley College
(In person only)

29 July 2023
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Ridley College + Livestream

Ticket Prices

General Admission

Friday + Saturday

Full Price: $160
Student/Alumni: $110

Friday Night

In-Person Only

Full Price: $60
Student/Alumni: $45

Saturday

In-Person

Full Price: $110
Student/Alumni: $80

Saturday
Livestream

$70

Get Tickets

Check Papers/Workshops

Evangelical Women In Academia Conference 2023

Beauty as Witness
Art, Poverty, and Ethics in Christian Theology

Beginning in 2017, Ridley’s biennial EWA conference is a women only event seeking to platform, promote, encourage, train, equip, and inspire Christian women in academic work across Australia. This year’s conference keynotes are given by constructive theologian Dr Natalie Carnes (Baylor University) teaching on ethics, art, and poverty in Christian theology.

Friday’s event will feature Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist and educator Safina Stewart, speaking about art, faith and indigenous spirituality. Safina will also lead us in some hands-on responsive creative work of our own.

In addition, short papers and workshops/seminars provide an opportunity to learn from a wonderful lineup of Australian Christian women HDR students, academics, writers, and practitioners.

Short Papers, Seminars and Worshops

Papers Session 1: 10:50 am - 11:20 am

Aesthetics And Writing - Creative Practice

By Dr Belinda Hopper

Abstract:

Aesthetics is a contested idea in the realm of art and literature. The post-modernist project deconstructed the beautiful, elegant whole in favour of the raw and disjointed parts; the cohesive narrative for the fragmented. The sacred function of beauty, to transcend and redeem suffering, was desacralized and the aesthetic of beauty was sidelined to make way for the edgy, the cool, the ironic. Realism succumbed to hyper-realism; representation replaced transfiguration, resulting in an apologetic of “ugly”. With no author to redeem a satisfying or hopeful end to a narrative, it fell to the reader to interpret the ambiguous, open-ended, or meaningless denouement. Where to from here? Based on two face-to-face interviews I conducted with Marilynne Robinson to discuss her work—how her worldview informs her fiction, her creative writing teaching practice at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and the writing advice given her by her erstwhile creative writing teacher at Brown University, novelist John Hawkes, I would like to explore whether there is a place to re-imagine creative writing practice in the Australian academy from an apologetic of Beauty, with Robinson’s award-winning Gilead trilogy as exemplar texts.

Understanding Beauty As Witness Within Indigenous Communities - Culture & Community

By Naomi Wolfe (NAITTS)

Abstract:

Throughout Australia and the world, the Art of Indigenous communities is often recognisable by those outside community, and the too often impoverished conditions of Indigenous communities across the world is also recognised. But what is not so easily recognisable to many non-Indigenous communities is the ethical frameworks of Indigenous communities that are interconnected with Indigenous art, community living and community care that has been interrupted or stagnated by the collision with non-Indigenous communities. This paper hopes to take us all on a small journey through Indigenous axiologies and ontologies in the hope that an understanding of how Indigenous communities can be transformed from places of mere tourism (art) and places of struggle (poverty) for the non-Indigenous gaze, to places recognisable as beauty, and as transformative communities with gifts to share.

Is Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation Too Safe? - Society

By Dr Denise Cooper-Clarke

Abstract:

Victoria was the first Australian state to legalise ‘Voluntary Assisted Dying’ (VAD) and its legislation was described as the safest and most conservative in the world, with comprehensive safeguards. However, now that all other states have legalised VAD with fewer safeguards, Victoria’s legislation is being criticised as unnecessarily restrictive and onerous. Strict safeguards are now framed as barriers to access. In 2023 there will be a government review of the operation of the first four years of the Victorian legislation and the government is being urged to improve it by ‘freeing up’ access to VAD. This paper discusses the areas where this might take place, including the use of telehealth, the opportunity for health practitioners to initiate discussion of VAD, expansion to include non terminally ill patients, and the use of advance directives to enable dementia patients to access VAD.

The Beauty Of The Body And The Ascension: A Reclamation And Subversion Of Physical Beauty - Beauty & Body

By Laura Cerbus

Abstract:

As Alexander Nehemas recounts, beauty’s severance from goodness and truth in the modern period renders beauty dangerous, its charm easily wielded as an instrument of oppression in the hands of the powerful. While some scholars have argued for a return to the pre-modern metaphysics that binds beauty to truth and goodness, the abuse of beauty is not simply a modern phenomenon, and its resistance requires more than a pre-modern solution. This paper will argue that the abuse of beauty by the powerful can be resisted by ordering physical beauty to its eschatological end, an end most clearly seen in the ascended Christ, with his beautiful body that is human, wounded, and hidden.

Papers Session 2: 11:25 am - 11:55 am

A Theology Of Creativity: God's Spirit Poured Into The World - Creative Practice

By Danielle Terceiro

Abstract:

Creativity is often understood as the talent or artistic potential of an individual. It is also often measured as the production of a material or cultural good that is novel or useful to society. This presentation will treat creativity as a social phenomenon, a process rather than a product. If the Tower of Babel account in Genesis 11 shows a people intent on a monolithic and stifling expression of material culture, then the Pentecost event shows a creative reverse: a community brought together in their diversity through visual, verbal and multisensory signs and wonders; a community filled by the Spirit to "pour out" their lives in a creative, communal worship of the God who came down to them. Rowan Williams (2015) refers to the essence of creativity as the "search for a justice that is beautiful, a justice that uncovers what the world fundamentally is: a world of interdependence and interaction, a world in which self-forgetting brings joy, common, shared joy". This presentation will conclude by considering some picture book retellings of biblical narratives that encode a theology of creativity for their young audience.

When Ostentation Is Invitation: Patronage And Poverty In Tanzania - Culture & Community

By Tamie Davis

Abstract:

This paper examines the dynamic between poverty and displays of prosperity in Tanzania. Using a patronage lens, it argues that displays of prosperity can have an invitational aspect to them, advertising that the patron is open to benefiting others. This invitational ostentation is supported by a theology which is positive about prosperity and communal in outlook, such that personal prosperity and concern for the poor are integrated theologically and practically. The paper concludes by suggesting some ways Australian Christians could learn from this integration.

Finding Beauty In The City: A Theology Of The Built Environment And Theological Aesthetics In Conversation - Society

By Cindy Derrenbacker 

Abstract:

While ancient cities (including some referenced in the Bible) and contemporary cities have sometimes been referred to in a negative or ambivalent light, this paper contends that the urban/built environment is surprisingly well-suited to reflect a theological aesthetic that speaks to what it means to be human, to create, to flourish, and to belong. In Genesis, we begin with a garden – a place of beauty; in Revelation, we conclude with a vision of a beautiful garden city, in the presence of Christ. This paper will look to urban architecture and design to argue that the city, where so much of humanity has lived/lives, can be a place of redemptive beauty, capturing a glimpse of this garden city in Revelation. 

Beauty And Lament: Martha’s Witness In The Gospel Of John - Beauty & Body

By Amber M. Dillon 

Abstract:

The Gospel of John is filled with characters and their interactions with Jesus, and studies of their portrayal typically lead to discussions concerning their faith response with a repercussion being that characters are often understood in a simplistic manner. In John 11, Martha speaks with Jesus regarding the death of Lazarus, and while her faith is certainly of interest, so is the beauty found in the progression of their conversation that goes beyond a cursory reading. In this paper, I will consider Martha’s engagement with Jesus, contending that her faith takes a journey of lament and beauty as she comes to a place of trust in the person of Jesus. Grounded in the work of Gail R. O’Day that traces Martha’s conversation within the structure of Israel’s lament poems, this paper examines this interaction that leads to the pinnacle of confessions to the identity of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel, made by Martha herself. In this way, Martha is a significant witness to Jesus through her lament. Building on the characterization frameworks of Cornelius Bennema, Christopher W. Skinner, and Dorothy A. Lee, a fresh perspective emerges that engages Martha’s conversation and ensuing confession, revealing the beauty of lament in the context of faith in the Fourth Gospel. For the Evangelist, faith is not simply how one responds to Jesus, but how one arrives at their confession. 

Seminar Session 1: 12:05 pm - 1:05 pm

Show, Don’t Tell? Preaching, Allegories and Writing Faith in Fiction  - Creative Practice

By Kristen Young 

About the seminar:

In a disenchanted world, fiction provides a multitude of opportunities for the exploration of faith. But Christian engagement with fiction has often been fraught, and debate exists over the place and purpose of Christian faith in fictional worlds. This workshop takes a look at various ways in which faith can be included in a work of fiction, and identifies a number of questions and techniques that authors can utilise when seeking to write a story that faithfully and playfully explores truth in fictional contexts. 

Faith And Fashion: The Wisdom Way - Culture & Community

By Jules Cole

About the seminar:

This workshop will discuss many topics relating to fashion, style and beauty. Even though the Bible does not directly instruct us on what to wear and how we should style ourselves, there is much about clothing, beauty and fabrics in the Bible. Since God, the creator created beauty, color, design and texture, as image bearers we can also add beauty and pleasure to our world by what we wear. How then can we follow God’s ways and be a stylish fashionista, be wise in our fashion choices, be socially conscious in our clothing selection and have an awareness of sustainability? Come along to this workshop and these topics will be discussed.

Loving Our Global Neighbour In A Climate Crisis – Worship With Our Whole Lives - Culture & Community

By Jo Knight

About the seminar:

Jesus calls us to love God and our neighbour. Our impact on the environment is connected with our love for the poor, justice for current and future generations, and what it means to live a life that brings glory to God. Climate impacts are experienced by people in poverty first and foremost, despite contributing the least to the problem and with limited access to resources. This is at the heart of the work of Anglican Overseas Aid and others who are responding to our hurting, warming world. Are you ready to play your part in renewing the earth and showing love for your global neighbour? This workshop will explore what parts you can play individually through lifestyle change, prophetic art, prayer and generosity and will share stories of the collective power of movements for change. There will be space for personal reflection and practical action mapping to help you connect your faith and actions to make a difference in God’s world.

Surviving (And Thriving?) In The Academy - Society

How Is Your Beloved Better Than Others, Most Beautiful Of Women?: How Does Song Of Songs 5:9–16 Contribute To The Primary Prevention Of Domestic And Family Violence?  - Beauty & Body

By Erin Hutton 

About the seminar:

This waṣf—a poem praising a body part by part to celebrate the whole embodied person – is one of four waṣfs in the Song of Songs and the only one describing the male lover’s body. Throughout the poem, imagery and metaphor most often associated with the woman of the Song is used to extol the man of the Song, blurring and blending gender roles and subverting (both ancient and modern) assumptions about how the ‘most beautiful of women’ and a man who is ‘better than others’ might look or behave. A poetic portrait emerges of two young lovers who exemplify mutuality, respect, healthy sexuality and gender equality. Social research indicates that gender inequality is the largest driver and predictor of gender-based violence. In order to prevent violence such as domestic abuse, we must work to address its gender inequal drivers, by challenging rigid gender roles and stereotypes, promoting women’s independence and decision-making, and supporting positive masculinities. This chapter argues that one of the ways we can contribute to the primary prevention of domestic abuse is by exploring how the Song, particularly the waṣf at 5:9–16, exhibits gender equality. Eschewing the ubiquitous male gaze and empowering the female gaze, the woman of the Song lauds (the beautiful body of) her beloved, and paints a picture of positive masculinity, a woman who makes her own decisions, and lovers whose counter-textual and countercultural verse descriptions of each other flip the tables on gendered expectations. 

Seminar Session 2: 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Encountering God In The Creative (Painting Workshop) - Creative Practice

By Dr Jessica Lockery  

About the workshop:

Life is meant to be lived, in abundance. As children, we play, we create, we savour, and then...we grow up. We give over, give in, give up. We leave creativity to those with the talent, passion or potential. This workshop offers an opportunity to explore and exercise creativity as a method of communing with God. Participants will be provided with artistic materials, guidance and encouragement to create a work of art. In doing so, participants will practically consider creativity as a process for giving shape, colour and form to the inarticulable pulse of God beneath the fabric of creation. A process that is about expression, not excellence. 

Please note that this workshop is for In-person attendees only.

Cost: $15

Disability As Neither Poverty Nor Witness: Uncovering The Problems And Potential Of Beauty For Disability Inclusion In The Church - Culture & Community

By Elizabeth Culhane (UQ, Ridley) 

About the seminar: 

All of us are, at most, “temporarily able-bodied” (John Swinton). This paper seeks to increase the belonging of disabled people in church life. It does so by tracing an aesthetic current underlying present discussions about what it means to be human. Drawing on scholarship, this paper suggests that notions of beauty underpin the church and society’s orientation toward disability, with concepts of beauty offering both problems and potential for facilitating greater belonging of disabled people in church life. By bringing together two, disparate conversations—about disability, on the one hand, and about beauty, on the other, we will consider some practical examples of unintentional exclusion and resources to counter these. 

Partying For Jesus: A Practical Guide To Hospitality - Society

By Louisa Raggatt

About the seminar:

With increased hesitancy in today's social landscape for people to open their homes to others, hospitality is a powerful avenue for Christians to share and embody the Gospel. This is the premise of the ADM Fellowship Louisa is currently working on and the basis for the session she will be sharing at the EWA Conference.

Through her fellowship, Louisa is exploring many of the challenges people face when opening their homes to others, alongside what she believes is s Biblical mandate to do so. Her ultimate goal is to equip individuals and communities with the necessary knowledge and inspiration to embrace hospitality, fostering genuine connections in a world that years for it.

Louisa will be sharing her research (so far) and practical tools for implementing them.

Body Image: A Health at Every Size (HAES) Approach - Beauty & Body

By Dr Jess Green (Psychology)

About the seminar:

The average Australian woman, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, is actually plus sized (size 16-18) (Richards, 2023). Yet we still live in a society of thin privilege where thin remains the idealised body shape. This is having an impact, with COVID seeing a 50% rise in eating disorders, presenting in younger children than ever before. What is the solution to these problems? Health at Every Size as a movement proposes that you cannot tell someone’s health by looking at them. In an attempt to overcome weight stigma and bias, Health at Every Size is a non-diet approach that promotes health behaviours over weight loss. This session will discuss the Health at Every Size approach to body image and will include experiential exercises that will help attendees to move to a more body neutral perspective.

Guest Speakers

Dr Natalie Carnes

Professor of Theology
Baylor University

Natalie Carnes is a constructive theologian interested in how Christian doctrine can speak to the complexities of modern life. Drawing on literary and visual works, she engages feminist theology, theology and the arts, and early Christian theology. She has published a number of articles and three books, the most recent of which is Motherhood: A Confession. Currently she is working on two manuscripts, one on the future of feminist theology and the other on poverty and art. Natalie trained at Harvard, University of Chicago, and Duke before coming to Baylor, where she is currently Professor of Theology and Affiliate Faculty in Women and Gender Studies.

Safina Stewart

Artist
Relationships and Storytelling Coordinator, Common Grace

Safina Stewart is a proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman who grew up cross-culturally in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia, and she draws from this rich heritage and experience to create stunning and meaningful artworks.

She has been an active member of her local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through her art and family. She endeavours to develop and use her art in ways that encourages awareness, wholeness and hope.

Safina lives with her husband and three children in the Victorian coastal town of Wonthaggi on Bunurong Country. She also works with Common Grace as a relationships and storytelling coordinator.

Supported by:

This event is supported by the Australian College of Theology.

Get Tickets

If you encounter problems with the ticketing widget, you can get your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CIRVE

By filling out the above form, you are agreeing to Ridley College’s Privacy Policy, including the consent to contact for various marketing-related activities.

Details

28 July 2023 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Ridley College (In person only)

29 July 2023 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Ridley College + Livestream

Ticket Prices

General Admission

Full Price: $160 Student/Alumni: $110

Friday Night

Full Price: $60 Student/Alumni: $45

Saturday

Full Price: $110 Student/Alumni: $80

Saturday Livestream

$70

Evangelical Women In Academia Conference 2023

Beauty as Witness Art, Poverty, and Ethics in Christian Theology

Short Papers, Seminars and Worshops

Papers Session 1: 10:50 am - 11:20 am

Papers Session 2: 11:25 am - 11:55 am

Seminar Session 1: 12:05 pm - 1:05 pm

Seminar Session 2: 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Guest Speakers

Supported by:

Get Tickets

28 July 2023
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Ridley College
(In person only)

29 July 2023
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Ridley College + Livestream

Full Price: $160
Student/Alumni: $110

Full Price: $60
Student/Alumni: $45

Full Price: $110
Student/Alumni: $80

Saturday
Livestream

Beauty as Witness
Art, Poverty, and Ethics in Christian Theology