TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED CHRISTIAN IMAGINATION

Mark Meynell University of the Arts, May 2012

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Introduction
Romans 12:1-2
Christian Life & Pagan Life

In view of mercy...
Luther: sola experientia fecit theologum

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

1. Theologians of the Imagination

Visionaries

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

1. Theologians of the Imagination

Visionaries

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

1. Theologians of the Imagination

Visionaries Prophets

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

2. The Visionary and Prophetic Mandate

TRUTH: Exposing the False, Reecting the Real

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

2. The Visionary and Prophetic Mandate

TRUTH: Exposing the False, Reecting the Real Flannery OConnor My own feeling is that writers who see by the light of their Christian faith will have, in these times, the sharpest eyes for the grotesque, for the perverse and for the unacceptable Redemption is meaningless unless there is a cause for it in the actual life we live, and for the last few centuries there has been operating in our culture the secular belief that there is no such cause.

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

2. The Visionary and Prophetic Mandate

TRUTH: Exposing the False, Reecting the Real BEAUTY: Exposing the Idolatrous, Reecting the Wondrous

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed.Why do men then now not reck his rod? Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears mans smudge and shares mans smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod. And for all this, nature is never spent; Gerard There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; Manley And though the last lights off the black West went Hopkins Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs (from Gods Because the Holy Ghost over the bent Grandeur) World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

2. The Visionary and Prophetic Mandate

TRUTH: Exposing the False, Reecting the Real BEAUTY: Exposing the Idolatrous, Reecting the Wondrous HOPE: Exposing the Baseless, Reecting the Future

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Worldview not explicit (but glories in the diversity and quirkiness of life and creation)

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Worldview not explicit (but glories in the diversity and Values quirkiness of life and creation) of faith expressed (e.g. the dignity of human life and a sense of awe)

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Worldview not explicit (but glories in the diversity and Values quirkiness of life and creation) of faith expressed (e.g. the dignity of human life and aExplicitly awe) sense of biblical, but not uniquely Christian

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Worldview not explicit (but glories in the diversity and Values quirkiness of life and creation) of faith expressed (e.g. the dignity of human life and aExplicitly awe) sense of biblical, but not uniquely Christian Primary biblical themes

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Worldview not explicit (but glories in the diversity and Values quirkiness of life and creation) of faith expressed (e.g. the dignity of human life and aExplicitly awe) sense of biblical, but not uniquely Christian Primary biblical themes Christian gospel

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

Worldview not explicit (but glories in the diversity and Values quirkiness of life and creation) of faith expressed (e.g. the dignity of human life and aExplicitly awe) sense of biblical, but not uniquely Christian Primary biblical themes Christian gospel

Towards an INTEGRATED Christian Imagination

3. Tips from Brian Eno & Shostakovich!