Creativity at the edge of chaos: theopoetics in a blazing world

Walton, H. (2019) Creativity at the edge of chaos: theopoetics in a blazing world. Literature and Theology, 33(3), pp. 336-356. (doi: 10.1093/litthe/frz029)

Abstract

Theopoetics is a diverse movement in which many contrasting understanding of poetics, and the sacred, are articulated. Although there is no essence or core to the theopoetic project, theopoetic practitioners appear willing to sustain a common space for conversation and their work displays a common celebration of creative ways for reimagining the divine. However, creativity itself is rarely interrogated within theopoetics. Nor is the ambiguity of creative making addressed. This article explores this significant but neglected topic in an attempt to generate further theopoetic reflection on the ambivalence of creativity in relation to both human and divine ‘making’. Starting with conversations between Richard Kearney and Catherine Keller, discussions are extended through an engagement with Siri Hustvedt’s works of art criticism and her novel The Blazing World. Through Husdtvedt’s representations of ‘the woman artist’ we are encouraged to move beyond hygienic understandings of creativity and acknowledge the ethical and theological ambiguity of this key concept within theopoetics.

• 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: Literature and Theology
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0269-1205
• ISSN (Online): 1477-4623
• Published Online: 18 September 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author 2019
• First Published: First published in Literature and Theology 33(3):336-356
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy