Joel Mayward
@jmayward.bsky.social
Asst. Professor of Christian Ministries, Theology and the Arts @ George Fox University, OR • PhD, St Andrews • Pastor-Theologian • 🍅 approved Film Critic • Author (books on Dardenne brothers, Christopher Nolan, Sufjan Stevens) • Human (he/him)
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Joel Mayward
@jmayward.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Hello new followers! I'm a pastor-theologian and professor, as well as a freelance film critic—in BSky terms, I'm found in both "theology" and "movie" starter parks. I'm interested in exploring and writing about the many intersections between art/culture/story and religion/spirituality/God.
My book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," is finally coming out this week. Pre-order it here: amzn.to/4p2t74L
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
My book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," is finally coming out this week. Pre-order it here: amzn.to/4p2t74L
SANJURO. I introduced Kurosawa to my sons this year. They went totally crazy over the final showdown, insisting that we rewatch it and time how long the scene lasts.
What is the best movie not from this year that you’ve seen this year? Bonus points if you say why
November 9, 2025 at 6:29 AM
SANJURO. I introduced Kurosawa to my sons this year. They went totally crazy over the final showdown, insisting that we rewatch it and time how long the scene lasts.
I watched back-to-back screenings of DIE MY LOVE and IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, which is Quite The Experience
November 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM
I watched back-to-back screenings of DIE MY LOVE and IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, which is Quite The Experience
Creative writing folks: come work with me! georgefoxfaculty.applicantpool.com/jobs/1258006
Assistant Professor of English - Newberg, OR
George Fox University's Department of English and Languages is seeking a full-time, tenure-track faculty member in Creative Writing (open genre) to begin in August 2026. The successful candidate will ...
georgefoxfaculty.applicantpool.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Creative writing folks: come work with me! georgefoxfaculty.applicantpool.com/jobs/1258006
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Pacific Northwest friends: this author event at @powells.bsky.social for my book on Sufjan Stevens is happening in less than two weeks on Nov 18. I'd love to see you there! www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Joel Mayward
The Legendary Independent Bookstore
www.powells.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Pacific Northwest friends: this author event at @powells.bsky.social for my book on Sufjan Stevens is happening in less than two weeks on Nov 18. I'd love to see you there! www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Reposted by Joel Mayward
What are you doing Nov 18th @ 7pm? You should be heading over to Powell's Books for the launch of Joel Mayward's addition to the 33 1/3 series: Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell.
More info: https://bit.ly/47JgyVX
More info: https://bit.ly/47JgyVX
November 4, 2025 at 12:05 AM
What are you doing Nov 18th @ 7pm? You should be heading over to Powell's Books for the launch of Joel Mayward's addition to the 33 1/3 series: Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell.
More info: https://bit.ly/47JgyVX
More info: https://bit.ly/47JgyVX
Pacific Northwest friends: this author event at @powells.bsky.social for my book on Sufjan Stevens is happening in less than two weeks on Nov 18. I'd love to see you there! www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Joel Mayward
The Legendary Independent Bookstore
www.powells.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Pacific Northwest friends: this author event at @powells.bsky.social for my book on Sufjan Stevens is happening in less than two weeks on Nov 18. I'd love to see you there! www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Quick reminder: we're all gonna die. amzn.to/4390XMS
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 3, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Quick reminder: we're all gonna die. amzn.to/4390XMS
Another rainy Saturday in Oregon, another book proposal sent out for review. 🙌 This one is on theology and the arts from a Quaker perspective.
November 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Another rainy Saturday in Oregon, another book proposal sent out for review. 🙌 This one is on theology and the arts from a Quaker perspective.
Today is the day: "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan" is now available. Order it now, or have your library purchase a copy! And if you read it, please do leave a review on Amazon. Thanks for reading! amzn.to/4qBEEtj
Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence (Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture)
Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence (Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence (Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture)
amzn.to
October 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Today is the day: "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan" is now available. Order it now, or have your library purchase a copy! And if you read it, please do leave a review on Amazon. Thanks for reading! amzn.to/4qBEEtj
Tomorrow is the official release day of "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan"! You can preorder it here: amzn.to/4nptbdt
Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence (Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture)
Though his films are noticeably lacking in representations of religion or references to God, Nolan’s postsecular cinema is nevertheless worthy of our theological consideration, as it contains valuable...
amzn.to
October 29, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Tomorrow is the official release day of "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan"! You can preorder it here: amzn.to/4nptbdt
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Here's a positive review in Publishers Weekly of my "offbeat and provocative" book about Sufjan Stevens: "This astute and lyrical analysis paints Stevens’s music in a profound new light." www.publishersweekly.com/9798765132760
Sufjan Stevens’s Carrie & Lowell by Joel Mayward
Mayward (Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan), a theology professor at George Fox University, presents an offbeat and pr...
www.publishersweekly.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Here's a positive review in Publishers Weekly of my "offbeat and provocative" book about Sufjan Stevens: "This astute and lyrical analysis paints Stevens’s music in a profound new light." www.publishersweekly.com/9798765132760
Here's a positive review in Publishers Weekly of my "offbeat and provocative" book about Sufjan Stevens: "This astute and lyrical analysis paints Stevens’s music in a profound new light." www.publishersweekly.com/9798765132760
Sufjan Stevens’s Carrie & Lowell by Joel Mayward
Mayward (Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan), a theology professor at George Fox University, presents an offbeat and pr...
www.publishersweekly.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Here's a positive review in Publishers Weekly of my "offbeat and provocative" book about Sufjan Stevens: "This astute and lyrical analysis paints Stevens’s music in a profound new light." www.publishersweekly.com/9798765132760
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Some fun news: I will be sharing about my new 33 1/3 book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," at Powell's Books in Portland on November 18. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Joel Mayward
The Legendary Independent Bookstore
www.powells.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Some fun news: I will be sharing about my new 33 1/3 book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," at Powell's Books in Portland on November 18. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Some fun news: I will be sharing about my new 33 1/3 book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," at Powell's Books in Portland on November 18. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Joel Mayward
The Legendary Independent Bookstore
www.powells.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Some fun news: I will be sharing about my new 33 1/3 book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," at Powell's Books in Portland on November 18. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
One more week until the release of my book on the films of Christopher Nolan!
Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence (Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture)
Though his films are noticeably lacking in representations of religion or references to God, Nolan’s postsecular cinema is nevertheless worthy of our theological consideration, as it contains valuable...
amzn.to
October 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
One more week until the release of my book on the films of Christopher Nolan!
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Of all the chatbot/AI summarizers that could be getting pushed, Gemini is probably the worst
Gemini is being pushed hard on teachers.
"This was a particularly acute problem with Gemini, which had sourcing issues for 72% of all responses. Gemini 'showed a strong tendency to make incorrect or unverifiable sourcing claims.'”
"This was a particularly acute problem with Gemini, which had sourcing issues for 72% of all responses. Gemini 'showed a strong tendency to make incorrect or unverifiable sourcing claims.'”
October 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Of all the chatbot/AI summarizers that could be getting pushed, Gemini is probably the worst
Reposted by Joel Mayward
I raise my glass to Dr. Joel Mayward (@jmayward.bsky.social). I am holding a copy of his new book—which, I believe, even he hasn't seen yet! It's a doozy, readers. And you'll probably recognize right away who he was lucky enough to get for the cover art. (Hint: She's at @briannaduggan.bsky.social.)
October 18, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I raise my glass to Dr. Joel Mayward (@jmayward.bsky.social). I am holding a copy of his new book—which, I believe, even he hasn't seen yet! It's a doozy, readers. And you'll probably recognize right away who he was lucky enough to get for the cover art. (Hint: She's at @briannaduggan.bsky.social.)
Two more weeks until the release of my book, "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan." It's expensive due to academic publishing prices, so ask your library to buy a copy! amzn.to/46XdTb5
Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence (Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture)
Though his films are noticeably lacking in representations of religion or references to God, Nolan’s postsecular cinema is nevertheless worthy of our theological consideration, as it contains valuable...
amzn.to
October 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Two more weeks until the release of my book, "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan." It's expensive due to academic publishing prices, so ask your library to buy a copy! amzn.to/46XdTb5
Just one more month before the paperback release of my book on Sufjan Stevens' "Carrie & Lowell". amzn.to/4q9Qr1P
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
October 15, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Just one more month before the paperback release of my book on Sufjan Stevens' "Carrie & Lowell". amzn.to/4q9Qr1P
Sometimes—even often—the film is better than the book.
Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat
October 13, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Sometimes—even often—the film is better than the book.
Reposted by Joel Mayward
LLM extruded essays are like being cornered by the most boring person at a party while they monotone monologue small talk at you, convinced that they’re pronouncing something profound.
October 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
LLM extruded essays are like being cornered by the most boring person at a party while they monotone monologue small talk at you, convinced that they’re pronouncing something profound.
Keep Portland Weird.
Things are happening at Portland's ICE facility tonight.
Read more of our protest coverage here: www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
Read more of our protest coverage here: www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...
October 10, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Keep Portland Weird.