Christian Smith, PhD

Assistant Professor of Media + Communication
The eternal, holistic redemption of the cosmos is inclusive of aesthetic redemption – and I aim to help students develop an aesthetic sensitivity and skillset that equips them to shape media (especially film) into redemptive objects that reflect God’s desire for creation.

Christian’s academic work in theological aesthetics focuses on the historical and theological background of the contemporary evangelical relationship to the arts, while providing a philosophical and biblical-theological impetus for a greater focus on meaningful art in evangelicalism. He has a background in theology, philosophy, apologetics, and art, studying at Wheaton College (BA, Theology and Philosophy, Art minor, 2015), Biola University (MA, Christian Apologetics, 2018), and King’s College London (PhD, Theology and the Arts, 2025).

Christian has produced two feature-length films shot in LA (The Spearhead Effect [2017], Executive Produced by Terrence Malick, Distributed by The Orchard [Sony], awarded at Dallas Film Festival; and Forelock [2025]), and enjoys participating in all facets of production.

He served in ministry in a non-denominational evangelical church in the metro-New York City (where he was raised) from 2015-2026, primarily contributing as the Creative Director and Executive Director of Pastoral Ministries.

  • PhD Theology and the Arts (King’s College London; 2025)
  • MA Christian Apologetics (Biola University; 2018)
  • BA Theology and Philosophy with Art Minor (Wheaton College; 2015)

Expertise

Film Studies, Media Production, Theological Aesthetics, Philosophy of Art, Evangelical History

Affiliations & Memberships

  • Evangelical Theological Society
  • American Society for Aesthetics

  • MCOM 221 Digital Filmmaking I
  • MCOM 315 Film History II