Dec 12, 2024
This is Episode Eight of Season Three,featuring Fr.Ryan Duns, S.J.,Department Chair and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology inthe Theology Department at Marquette University. He received hisPh.D. from Boston College in 2018.Readingfrom his Marquette web page, I can tell you that “Ryan Duns, SJworks at the intersection of philosophy and systematic theology. Hehas published on Karl Rahner, Jean-Luc Marion, René Girard, and hismost recent work has involved a sustained engagement with WilliamDesmond’s metaphysics. His dissertation, “Spiritual Exercises for aSecular Age? William Desmond’s Theological Achievement” arguedthat, when read as a form of spiritual exercise (Pierre Hadot),Desmond’s philosophy can re-awaken a sense of the Transcendent.”Today we will discuss his new book Theologyof Horror: The Hidden Depths of Popular Films.
We discuss what horror is, how it makes usfeel, what it can teach us, and what is the dark transcendent. IsAdvent and Christmas the time to discuss horror and its meaning? Isuspect Halloween might be more traditional, but Ryan Duns arguesthat in the incarnation the divine breaks through to show us ourworld is shot through with sin. Jesus is the light that reveals thedark transcendent. To get a taste of it, please watch the shortfilm LightsOut on YouTube. It’s less than 3 minutes long, then comeback.
And now some news on upcomingpodcast episodes:
Coming up next is Dr. Christine Evans on PopCulture Matters and the movie The Night of the Hunter, Fr. RyanDuns on the theology of horror, Dr. Megan Fritts Cabrera, Dr. RubenRosario, Dr. Gerald Schlabach, and Dr. Tim Pawl.
Dr. Christine Evans and I have alreadyrecorded the next Pop Culture Matters episode, inspired by a recentviewing of The Night of the Hunter and and excellentlecture by Christine at VIFF. We discuss Robert Mitchum's creepyand dreadful film.
Follow us at our Instagram page, @stmarkscce,newly revived, and drop us a line as to what you want to see orhear. When we decide what’s next, we’ll let you know and then wecan all make sure to watch it or listen to it or read it before thenext episode of Pop Culture Matters. Or email us with yoursuggestions tojmartens@stmarkscollege.caor cceconferences@stmarkscollege.ca.
Some upcomingevents:
And now some news on upcoming podcastepisodes:
Coming up next is Dr. Megan Fritts Cabrera,Dr. Ruben Rosario, Dr. Gerald Schlabach, Dr. Don Baker, and Dr. TimPawl. What a lineup!
Two episodes of Pop Culture Matters are out. Ihope you have listened to them. Martin and I are ready for more andwe are going to talk about Christmas films. What makes a film aChristmas film? What is your favorite Christmas film? Why is ityour favorite?
Let us know what you want to discuss next onPop Culture Matters. Follow us at our Instagram page, @stmarkscce,newly revived, and drop us a line as to what you want to see orhear. We’ll post there with a question as to what you are mostinterested in. I will also post the question on Facebook@biblejunkies. We will be moving to a CCE Facebook page, but in themeantime, feel free to check us out @biblejunkies. When we decidewhat’s next, we’ll let you know and then we can all make sure towatch it or listen to it or read it before the next episode of PopCulture Matters. Or email us with your suggestions to jmartens@stmarkscollege.caor cceconferences@stmarkscollege.ca.
Some upcomingevents:
You can now register for ThePromise of Christian Education: Past, Present and Future, MAY1-3, 2025, at ST. MARK'S COLLEGE,VANCOUVER, CANADA. We will have over 40 presentersfrom Asia, Africa, and North America. The webpagefor the conference is now available at the CCE website, where youcan find information on the speakers and where you can registerfor The Promise of Christian Education: Past, Present andFuture, MAY 1-3, 2025, at ST. MARK'SCOLLEGE, VANCOUVER, CANADA.
Consider joining us in Vancouver in2025 for the conference. The costwill be minimal to attend the concurrent sessions of the conferenceitself, only $60 and I think you will find it stimulating andchallenging. It will be exciting. Details are now on thewebsite.
Three confirmed keynote speakers areDr. Margaret MacDonald, Dr. Samuel Rocha, and Reverend Dr. Stan ChuIlo. Thesekeynote or plenary sessions are free for all, solook for the registration information on our websitenow.
Some other upcomingevents:
On January 27, 2025 we will have an in personand virtual event with Dr Ray Aldred, who will offer the thirdannual Laudato Si’ lecture, bringing together Indigenous andChristian thought on how to care for creation, our common home.
A few thanks are in order. First of all, I amgrateful to Martin Strong, who guides me in the podcasting world.Second, the episodes are edited, engineered, and produced by KevinEng who is the first listener to all the episodes and helps me pickout those opening snippets which do so much to set the tone foreach episode. Thank you, Kevin, for all of your expertise andsupport. Finally, to the Fang Fang Chandra, the CCE assistant, whohelps me bring this podcast to you, but also makes the CCE run somuch more smoothly.
I also want to thank our donors to theCentre, whose generosity enables this work to take place at all:Peter Bull, Angus Reid, and Andy Szocs. We are thankful to theircommitment to the life of the academic world and of the work of theChurch in the world by funding the work of the CCE. I am alsothankful to the Cullen family, Mark and Barbara, for their supportof the ongoing work of the CCE through financial donations thatallow us to bring speakers to the local and internationalarenas.
If you are enjoying the podcast, pleaselet your friends know. And also let people know by rating andreviewing What Matters Most on your favourite podcastingplatform.
Thanks again for listening and rememberwhat matters most.
John W. Martens
Director, Centre for ChristianEngagement, St. Mark's College at UBC
