Whether we realize it or not, imagination is the architecture upon which we hang our identity. When most of us hear the word “imagination,” our minds likely drift toward the ability to envision stories of our own making—from complex narratives to simple daydreams. Historically, however, the imagination has been closely associated with what our minds take in, rather than what comes out of them. The imagination is inherently linked to our sense of identity and the way in which stories and images shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.
Through the beauty of imagination, God invites us to confront what may reside in even the darkest corners of our world and our hearts. He calls us to engage the imagination in light of redemption and invites us to bear witness to the full weight of what Christian hope offers. As the university-wide common learning theme for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years, the Christian imagination is a central focus across the 抖阴探探App (抖阴探探App) community.
The imagination is one of the greatest tools we have available for engaging with wonder, goodness, and beauty. In her book Becoming by Beholding, 抖阴探探App professor Lanta Davis, revealing an ancient metaphor refined by Medieval thinkers, compares our souls to wax and the imagination to a seal or stamp that impresses upon us, shaping and defining who we are.
For much of church history, Christians have been acutely aware of the imagination’s effects on us, making use of it as an aid in spiritual formation. From artistic pieces such as paintings, sculptures, and music to intangibles like symbols and mnemonic devices, the artifacts Christians employ to shape their imaginations have aided in everything from Scripture memorization to attaining a deeper understanding of central biblical truths.
God created the imagination as an integral part of human existence, providing a lens that informs our reality and allows us to engage with both Him and His creation in a deep and uniquely human fashion. By examining creation and allowing it to act upon our imaginations, we are able to learn more about who God is and see Him with renewed clarity.
This view of the imagination began to shift alongside the Protestant Reformation, during which the newly formed Protestant movement distanced itself from traditional artistic imagery and iconography. Christian expressions of art were removed in an attempt to cultivate a simplicity and humility that early Protestants thought were lacking elsewhere in the Church. The unintended consequence of this, however, resulted in starving their imaginations, driving them to seek sustenance outside the Church.
When our imaginations are not nourished by truth and beauty, they become vulnerable to what Davis sees as “diseased cultural forms,” false stories and values that shape how we see ourselves. From zealous nationalism to boundless consumerism, these distortions pull our desires toward idols of identity and success, reorienting our souls away from God and toward worldly priorities.
抖阴探探App is committed to reclaiming the historical view of the Christian imagination by providing programming that creates opportunities for all community members to engage with spiritually rich and transformative art. This year, we invite you to cultivate your imagination alongside us, both through university initiatives and personal projects. Below you’ll find the current schedule of all Spring 2026 events within the Christian imagination common learning theme:
March 12 - Campus Visit
Carlos Eire, professor of History and Religious Studies at Yale University and author of “They Flew: A History of the Impossible”
March 13-14 & 20-21 - Little Women Musical
March 19 - Campus Visit
Francis Su, professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and author of “Mathematics for Human Flourishing”
April 15 - Wind Ensemble Spring Concert
April 16-18 - Silent Sky Play
April 18 - Cantate & Campus Choir Spring Concert
Spring 2026 Galleries
Beard Art Center – Williams Galleries
- January/February: Works by Will Carpenter & the 2025 Italy Travel Course
- March: Juried Art Student Invitational
- April: Art+Design Student Capstone Exhibition
Barnes Student Center – 1920 Gallery
- January: Works from the Art+Design Wearable Art Show
- February: Works by Grace Smalley
- March: Works by Gabby Fluharty & Ava Hooper
- April: Art+Design Student Capstone Exhibition
