Baptized Imagination: The Theology of George Macdonald (Ashgate Studies in Theology, Imagination and the Arts) (Ashgate Studies in Theology, Imagination ... in Theology, Imagination and the Arts)

The imagination has been called, "the principal organ for knowing and responding to disclosures of transcendent truth." This book probes the theological sources of the imagination, which make it a vital tool for knowing and responding to such disclosures. Kerry Dearborn approaches areas of theology and imagination through a focus on the 19th century theologian and writer George MacDonald. MacDonald can be seen as an icon whose life and work open a window to the intersection of word, flesh and image. He communicated the gospel through narrative and image-rich forms which honour truth and address the intellectual, imaginative, spiritual, and emotional needs of his readers. MacDonald was also able to speak prophetically in a number of areas of contemporary concern, such as the nature of suffering, ageing and death, environmental degradation, moral imagination and gender issues. Dearborn explores influences which shaped him, along with the wisdom he has offered in the formation of significant Christian writers in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, W.H. Auden, Frederick Buechner and others attribute to MacDonald key paradigm shifts and insights in their own lives. A study of MacDonald does not offer a formulaic approach to theology and the imagination, but the possibility of gleaning from his rich harvest relevant nourishment for our own day. It also provides a context in which to assess potential weaknesses in imaginative approaches to theology. The Imagination Has Been Called, The Principal Organ For Knowing And Responding To Disclosures Of Transcendent Truth. This Book Probes The Theological Sources Of The Imagination, Which Make It A Vital Tool For Knowing And Responding To Such Disclosures.

kerry Dearborn Approaches Areas Of Theology And Imagination Through A Focus On The 19th Century Theologian And Writer George Macdonald. Macdonald Can Be Seen As An Icon Whose Life And Work Open A Window To The Intersection Of Word, Flesh And Image. He Communicated The Gospel Through Narrative And Image-rich Forms Which Honor Truth And Address The Intellectual, Imaginative, Spiritual, And Emotional Needs Of His Readers. Macdonald Was Also Able To Speak Prophetically In A Number Of Areas Of Contemporary Concern, Such As The Nature Of Suffering, Ageing And Death, Environmental Degradation, Moral Imagination And Gender Issues. Dearborn Explores Influences Which Shaped Him, Along With The Wisdom He Has Offered In The Formation Of Significant Christian Writers In Both The Nineteenth And Twentieth Centuries. Authors Such As C.s. Lewis, G.k. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, J.r.r. Tolkien, W.h. Auden, Frederick Buechner And Others Attribute To Macdonald Key Paradigm Shifts And Insights In Their Own Lives.

a Study Of Macdonald Does Not Offer A Formulaic Approach To Theology And The Imagination, But The Possibility Of Gleaning From His Rich Harvest Relevant Nourishment For Our Own Day. It Also Provides A Context In Which To Assess Potential Weaknesses In Imaginative Approaches To Theology.

The imagination has been called,'the principal organ for knowing and responding to disclosures of transcendent truth'. This book probes the theological sources of the imagination, which make it a vital tool for knowing and responding to such disclosures. Kerry Dearborn approaches areas of theology and imagination through a focus on the nineteenth century theologian and writer George MacDonald. MacDonald can be seen as an icon whose life and work open a window to the intersection of word, flesh and image. He communicated the gospel through narrative and image-rich forms which honour truth and address the intellectual, imaginative, spiritual, and emotional needs of his readers. MacDonald was also able to speak prophetically in a number of areas of contemporary concern, such as the nature of suffering, aging and death, environmental degradation, moral imagination and gender issues. Dearborn explores influences which shaped him, along with the wisdom he has offeredin the formation of significant Christian writers in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, W.H. Auden, Frederick Buechner and others attribute to MacDonald key paradigm shifts and insights in their own lives. A study of MacDonald does not offer a formulaic approach to theology and the imagination, but the possibility of gleaning from his rich harvest relevant nourishment for our own day. It also provides a context in which to assess potential weaknesses in imaginative approaches to theology. Front Matter ......Page 1 About The Book ......Page 2 About The Series: Ashgate Studies in Theology, Imagination and the Arts ......Page 3 Copyright ......Page 5 Table of Contents ......Page 6 Acknowledgments ......Page 8 Abbreviations ......Page 10 Introduction: The Baptized Imagination and Theology ......Page 12 1. Calvinist and Celtic: MacDonald's Context and Early Influences ......Page 20 2. Classical and Literary Influences on MacDonald's Life and Thought ......Page 36 3. British Theological Influences ......Page 60 4. MacDonald's Theology of the Imagination ......Page 78 5. Imagination and Theological Transformation ......Page 106 6. Renewed Vision of Humanity ......Page 132 7. Renewed Vision of Suffering, Aging, and Death ......Page 158 Conclusion: An Assessment of MacDonald's Imaginative Approach to Theology and His Theology of the Imagination ......Page 182 Bibliography ......Page 192 Indices ......Page 204 George MacDonald did not consider himself heroic, but he did aim for consistency between his life and the truth of his 'tales.'