The Monster Revealed: Art, Horror, and The Christian Imagination | Dr. Kutter Callaway

This episode contains sensitive subject matter

Can horror become a means of redemption? What might the stories that frighten us reveal about ourselves, our faith, and the world we inhabit?

Can people of faith engage horror as a legitimate artistic practice? In a culture that often encourages us to avoid discomfort, the darker dimensions of art can challenge us to confront realities we might otherwise prefer to ignore. But when we sanitize our faith, we risk losing our ability to speak honestly about suffering, evil, fear, and the complexities of being human. What if the stories that disturb us most have something important to teach us?

In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach sits down with Dr. Kutter Callaway, psychologist, theologian, and Chair of Worship Theology and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary, to explore horror, the monsters we create, and the spiritual possibilities of confronting our deepest fears. Drawing from his book Be Afraid, Callaway considers how horror can expose the darkness within ourselves and our culture, challenge the ways we understand good and evil, and create space for spiritual maturity. Together, they explore what artists of faith might discover when they stop looking away from the darkness and allow their work to engage the full complexity of the human experience.

In this episode, we explore:

Why a sanitized faith struggles to speak meaningfully to the darker realities of the human experience.
How horror can help us confront our fears and recognize the monsters within ourselves and our culture.
What disturbing stories in Scripture and popular culture reveal about suffering, evil, and the human condition.
How horror can become a space for creative honesty, spiritual reflection, and the possibility of redemption.
What artists of faith might learn by engaging the uncomfortable and unsettling dimensions of human experience.

About Dr. Kutter Calloway

Dr. Kutter Callaway is a psychologist, theologian, cultural critic, and Chair of Worship Theology and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary. His work explores the intersections of theology, psychology, popular culture, and the arts. In his book Be Afraid, Callaway examines the spiritual and psychological dimensions of horror and considers how confronting our fears might contribute to spiritual maturity.

Author, Faith and Art, film, horrorStephen RoachOctober 30, 2026horror, dr. kutter callaway, film

S15 E14: Sound Symbols: Foley Art in Film with Ronnie Van Der Veer

Behind the curtain of cinema lies a hidden language, spoken not in words, but in sound.

In this episode of Makers and Mystics, Stephen Roach interviews Foley artist Ronnie Van Der Veer, exploring the intricate world of sound design in film. Ronnie shares his journey into Foley art, the importance of creating realistic sound effects, and the techniques he employs to enhance the cinematic experience. The conversation explores the creative process behind sound symbolism, and practical advice for aspiring Foley artists. Through case studies of films like 'The Occupant' and 'The Forgotten Battle,' listeners gain insight into the art of sound and its profound impact on storytelling.

About the guest: Ronnie van der Veer is an award winning foley artist from the Netherlands. From his studio just outside Amsterdam he has worked on movies like The Lobster by Yorgos Lanthimos, Girl by Lukas Dhont, war movie The Forgotten Battle and various Netflix, Disney and Amazon Originals. Ronnie uses his background as a drummer in his work as a foley artist.

See more of Ronnie's work:

www.foleytales.com

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/foley.tales/

Films referenced in this episode:

The Forgotten Battle: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10521092/?ref_=nm_knf_t_2

The Occupant: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7230422/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_6

Connect with Makers and Mystics:

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S13 E08: Come And Save Me with Danielson and Chris White

Film director Chris White and songwriter Daniel Smith of The Danielson Family have crafted an 8-minute short film/music video titled "Come and Save Me," a poignant exploration of acceptance and community as a cure to the loneliness epidemic of our post-pandemic world.

In this episode, Daniel and Chris share about the film’s inception, working with lead actor and comedian Fred Armisen, and why the arts play a central role in addressing social concerns.

S6 E13: The Poetic Encounter with Tinasha LaRayé

Tinasha LaRayé is a poet, actress, and filmmaker who has an intense passion to see nations transformed through storytelling. As a spoken word artist, she incorporates her theatrical world of acting to elevate poetry from the page to an encounter. From working with inner city kids, to young women, to budding creatives, she loves empowering individuals to move in their God-given voice, purpose, and power. Tinasha also desires to see the wound of racism healed in the United States and uses her creativity and teachings to equip this generation to walk out healing, justice, and unity. She currently serves as a pastor in Creative Arts at Bethel Church in Redding.

In today’s episode Stephen talks with Tinasha about her work as a poet and actress standing at the intersections of spiritual encounter and social justice. The two also talk about her film, Hope Song which explores the historical experience of Black people in America, and paints a poetic and prophetic vision for racial healing.

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