A theopoetics in ruins

Walton, H. (2020) A theopoetics in ruins. Toronto Journal of Theology, 36(2), pp. 159-169. (doi: 10.3138/tjt-2020-0082)

Abstract

This article takes as its starting point Bruno Latour’s reflections on the dereliction of theological discourse in contemporary culture. Acknowledging that theologians seek to avoid the question of how what “once had so much meaning [has] become absolutely meaningless,” it frames its reflections around John 2:19 and seeks to develop a “theopoetics of the broken form” that is located in the ruins of faith. To do so, it employs creative resources from art and literature, as well as the author’s own life writing. Although there is no escaping from the destruction of former secure habitations, this work attempts to embody the transforming encounters that are possible when God making takes place in broken places where life and death meet.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Walton, Professor Heather
• Authors: Walton, H.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Journal Name: Toronto Journal of Theology
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• ISSN: 0826-9831
• ISSN (Online): 1918-6371
• Published Online: 07 August 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © Toronto Journal of Theology 36/2, 2020
• First Published: First published in Toronto Journal of Theology 36(2): 159-169
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy