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Hello, friends. Welcome to OnScript. This is Amy Brown Hughes, a co-host for the podcast with

Matt Lynch, Matt Bates, Aaron Heim, Drew Johnson, and Chris Tilling. Today I have the pleasure

of speaking with Michael Bruner, Associate professor of practical theology at Azusa Pacific University

about the intersection of art and theology, especially literature and film.

Michael and I met a couple of summers ago when we both had the privilege of participating in the

Lilly Fellows Program summer seminar for college teachers.

Twelve of us selected from theology, art, art history, and Christian ministry departments from around the country, Catholic as well as various denominations of Protestant,

spent three weeks talking art and theology in Orvieto, Italy.

It was very hard work, but we soldiered on.

Some of my favorite moments during our time there were in between our sessions over a long dinner or resting in the sunshine during a hike

to a monastery where we just talk. It was during one of those conversations that Michael shared about

his love of Flannery O'Connor and his work on her for his dissertation,

among other projects. His ability to connect his love of film, literature, even and especially

difficult stories like those O'Connor writes with theology was as instructive as it was a joy

to listen to. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce him to you, dear on-script listeners.

We'll talk about the discipline of practical theology, the intersection of art and theology,

what it's like to write a screenplay, and of course his recent book, A Subversive Gospel, Flannery

O'Connor and the reimagining of beauty, goodness, and truth published with IVP Academic in 2017.

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