Seattle Pacific University

A collection of 37 posts

Journal

Practicing the Prophetic: James K. A. Smith on liturgy and discernment

Behold — James K. A. Smith's plenary lecture from Seattle Pacific University's Day of Common Learning.

On Movies & Media

Three professors profess their love for The Secret of Kells

Listen as Jeffrey Overstreet welcomes Dr. Christine Chaney and Dr. Brian Bantum from Seattle Pacific University to a conversation about the many wonders of the movie The Secret of Kells.

Chris Caldwell

Join me for two special screenings of Prospect in Seattle

At two special Seattle screenings of the sci-fi thriller Prospect, I will interview filmmakers Zeek Earl and Christopher Caldwell. You're invited!

Journal

Who I thanked on my MFA graduation day

One week ago today — Saturday, March 19, 2016, at Camp Casey Conference Center on Whidbey Island — I was invited to the podium before my special guests, as well as the students, faculty, and staff of Seattle Pacific University's MFA in Creative Writing. This was the moment: I would

Journal

Sure, #AllLivesMatter, but something else matters more

Once again, a member of my own university community has inspired me with some piercing insight. You've heard the slogan: "Black Lives Matter." Its become a rallying cry across the nation. And you've probably heard what some Christians are hurrying to propose an alternative:

Journal

Moments of violence, then grace and love

One year ago today, my friends and colleagues at Seattle Pacific University responded to gunshots with courage, selflessness, faith, generosity, and grace.

Looking Elsewhere

Looking Elsewhere: MFA Adventures, April Foolishness, and More

From April Fool's antics to coming attractions, this installment of "Looking Elsewhere" is loaded with goodness.

Jennifer Johnson Gilnett

In Memory of My Friend, My Boss, My Mentor: Jennifer Gilnett

The last 13 days have been a harrowing experience of heartbreak and loss for me and many who are close to me. I haven't said anything about it here at Looking Closer, but I think the time has come. First, some context: Based on the mail that I

Film Review

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Alissa Wilkinson, chief film critic for Christianity Today, asked me if I've ever changed my mind about a movie... and would I write about that? So I'm asking you. What's a movie you loved the first time, or hated the first time, and then

Dualism

There Are No "Good People" and "Bad People": A Must-Read Response to the Hurt and the Heroism at Seattle Pacific University

What really happened at Seattle Pacific University on Thursday? Did a "bad guy" show up on campus? Did "good guys" overcome him? The following letter was posted on Facebook by Dr. Stamatis Vokos, a professor of physics at Seattle Pacific University. I think it's

Guns

Pray for Seattle Pacific University.

Thursday afternoon: Report 1 - 4:30pm. : I am in a conference room here at Seattle Pacific University with the staff of University Communications — my coworkers — and with some of our amazing student interns, some of whom have been preparing for graduation. Please pray for our community. Over the coming

On Movies & Media

Hey, Moviegoers: You're Invited to a Secret Seattle Q&A

If you could meet and interrogate your local film critics, free of charge, would you do it?

On Movies & Media

Girl Rising (2014)

“I’m told my mother burst into tears when she learned my sex. She set me aside in the dirt.” Amina was born in Afghanistan, but no one made a record of her birth date. Only boys are given that kind of attention. At 11 years old, she was “sold”

Seattle Pacific University

My Interview with World Vision Photographer Jon Warren (Plus: Some of His Favorite Images)

I love interviewing artists. And I've enjoyed a wild array of unforgettable interviews. But few of those opportunities have been as exciting as this one...

On Movies & Media

Angela Tucker Found Something on Facebook That Changed Her Life

Ask about “Sandy the Flower Man” in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the citizens will tell you stories. He’s a lively and well-loved local who bicycles up and down Main Street, giving flowers to women and smiles to everybody. But when Angela Burt Tucker found his Facebook page in 2010, she knew she was

Tasha Robinson

July 18: The Gratitude List

A magical night at the ferryboat dock. Lunch with a film critic. Reviews of "Fruitvale Station" and "Red 2." A remembrance of movie novelizations. And more.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Abraham Lincoln: A Trailer, A Speech, and "Divine Providence"

Here's the trailer for Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. But that's just the beginning. Since America will have Lincoln on the mind in the coming weeks, I encourage everyone to read the text of Abraham Lincoln's amazing Second Inaugural Address. Read it out loud. And then, well,

On Movies & Media

Thursday is Oscar Day at Seattle Pacific University

This Thursday at Seattle Pacific University, in the Library's "Thursday Food for Thought" program, I'll be sharing some thoughts on the nine films nominated for Best Picture in this year's Oscar race. Why were they nominated? What do these films have to

On Books & Writing

A new blog, a new job, and a whole lot of learning. Welcome to Brainstorm.

What's new in 2012? Here's something... I'm editing BRAINSTORM: Mysteries of Human Behavior with John Medina - a new blog by New York Times-bestselling author of Brain Rules and Brain Rules for Baby. Be sure to read the first three posts. They are mind-boggling.

On Movies & Media

The School Newspaper: The Best Place to Start?

Did you — or do you — write for your school newspaper? I did. My first feature, back in 1991 (if I recall correctly), was a two-page spread on the intersection of faith and art, in which I discussed the work of Sam Phillips, U2, and Peter Gabriel. I did movie reviews,

On Movies & Media

Hello, Pittsburgh, I'm On the Air

This week, on Pittsburgh's WORD-FM, John Hall and Kathy Emmons are talking with special guests about Christianity and culture. And I got to join the party. Want to hear our on-the-air chat? They spoke with me about movies - including Avatar and Summer Hours - and I had

Seattle Pacific University

Through the Eyes of Haitian Teenagers

Remember the powerful, inspiring movie Born into Brothels? If you were inspired by that, then check this out. My friend Hillary Prag, a graduate of Seattle Pacific University and a freelance photojournalist, just finished a term in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she taught a course in photojournalism to at-risk teenagers. They

Response

Do You Like Writing? Editing? Publishing? Need a Job?

Come work with me on this fantastic team of writers, editors, and designers. Seattle Pacific University is hiring a new Managing Editor for Response magazine. Make a difference. The print magazine has 58,000+ subscribers, and then there are the others who visit us online. Check out the magazine here.

Overstreet's Books

Launching Another Blog...

It's been a busy week. Not only am I spending about five hours every evening on the revisions to Raven's Ladder, the third volume in The Auralia Thread, but I helped launch a new blog this week. Yep, a new blog. Working as a contributing editor

Response

Response Time!

At long last, the new issue of Response is here. Yes, this is what I do at my day job. All day, almost every day. I work with an amazing and inspiring team of writers, editors, photographers, and freelancers. It looks like a university marketing piece, but that's