Brian Crisp
Brian D. Crisp is a native of North Carolina now living in Raleigh. He holds degrees from Furman University, Southern Seminary, and Vanderbilt Divinity School. Sherri is also a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, a recent presenter at the Oxford Religious Symposium, and currently an adjunct professor teaching, Intro to Bible and Philosophy of Religion, while also working alongside and with inmates at Riverbend Prison. Brian, after a career in education and extended time in the Municipal Schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, returned to school to study the Hebrew Bible and cultures of the ancient Near East: The construction of masculinities and their portrayals and performances in the eponymous ancestors of Genesis. He is a member of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, an inclusive congregation dedicated to peace and justice.

Animals as Paraclete
Animals are equipped with God’s Spirit. Acknowledging the Divine Presence is a call to charitably consider our relationship with animals and the created world. This workshop is not about the glorification of animals. Instead, we will explore myriad ways all creatures are linked and mutually dependent on the others’ actions. As such, this workshop is designed to help foster awareness by exploring creaturely biblical narratives, lived creaturely experiences, and social-scientific data of animal life. Through these animal weavings, we propose interacting with animals as one of many conduits toward forming a caring and justice-oriented world.