Our conference theme, “All Things Made New: Creation, Re-creation, and Redemption,” aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of the creative and re-creative acts embedded in our discipline practices and the works we study. As a number of Christian scholars have pointed out, reading and writing literature is one way we can carry out our responsibility to establish a world that pleases and praises God by cultivating its potential. Just as Adam and Eve cultivated the fruits of the Garden of Eden, so are we to cultivate the talents and abilities God has given us in all areas: technology, literature, art, music, science, social and political structures, etc. Gallagher and Lundin state, we alone of God’s creatures are capable of creating and thinking in symbols, so we have a “natural tendency to engage in interpretation, to create narratives, and to use metaphor” (41).

The concepts of creation, recreation, and redemption have long been central to literary expression. From the genesis of worlds and characters to the transformative journeys of individuals and societies, literature offers a rich tapestry of narratives that delve into these profound themes. Reading and writing are often considered recreational activities that re-create the reader and the words they use. In this spirit, we invite scholars to submit papers that examine how these themes are represented, interpreted, and reimagined in literature. We also invite creative works that showcase the creative impulse.

This conference will follow the format of traditional paper panels alongside creative reading panels and roundtables; we also hope to have more informal conversational groups for reflection and fellowship.

Topics of Interest: We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• The role of creation myths and origin stories in literature
• Modern retellings of creation myths and origin stories
• Literary representations of birth, rebirth, and renewal
• The interplay between destruction and creation in dystopian and utopian narratives
• Redemption arcs in character development
• The influence of religious and philosophical ideas on themes of creation and redemption
• The impact of historical and cultural contexts on literary interpretations of these themes
• Comparative studies of creation, recreation, and redemption across different literary traditions
• Roundtable discussions on the conference theme (preferably composed of colleagues representing different schools)
• Creative works that embrace these themes

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstracts should be no more than 300 words
• Presentations should fit into a 20-minute panel time slot; roundtables of 60 minutes
• Please include a brief biography (100 words) with your submission.
• All submissions should be sent by Feb. 15, 2026. Submission portal link: Click HERE

We look forward to receiving your submissions and to a stimulating exchange of ideas at the conference. Undergraduate students must submit their entire paper for consideration; eligible undergraduate papers will be entered into the national CCL Undergraduate Writing Contest for a cash prize and publication on the CCL website. Graduate students are encouraged to apply for the CCL Travel Grant. For more details on these undergraduate and graduate opportunities, visit https://www.christianityandliterature.com/Awards-and-Grants

Registration:

• Conference Registration Link: Click HERE
• CCL Membership (Must join/renew before conference): Click HERE

For more information or questions, please contact Jennifer Tronti (jtronti@calbaptist.edu) and David Isaacs (disaacs@calbaptist.edu).