S3 E19 - The Art of Subcreation (with Matthew Clark)
Nov 9, 2022
auto_awesome
In this insightful discussion, Matthew Clark, an expert on Tolkien's philosophy and the concept of subcreation, delves into the profound connection between divine creativity and human artistry. He emphasizes humility in our creative endeavors, contrasting true artistry with idolatry. Matthew explores how storytelling can provide meaning in a post-truth world, advocating for a Christian perspective that centers Jesus in our narratives. He uses drama and jazz as metaphors for engaging with God's will, underscoring how individual creativity enriches our faith journeys.
Subcreation is a collaborative act with God that enriches culture when approached with humility rather than pride and self-interest.
Proper naming within subcreation fosters genuine connections and deeper understanding, bridging the essence of creation back to divine origins.
Deep dives
The Concept of Subcreation
Subcreation is defined as humanity's collaborative act with God, where individuals take God's original creation and shape it anew. This process can be tainted by pride and self-interest, but when approached correctly, subcreation acts as a link between God's initial and final creations. The cultural output from this collaboration builds a richer, shared existence, invoking the idea that this creative endeavor contributes positively to the world. The podcast emphasizes that subcreation, as envisioned by Tolkien, invites creativity that reflects God’s grandeur rather than diverting it into self-serving pursuits.
Reading the World and Art as Hope
The role of creativity is contrasted with the post-Enlightenment dismissal of a transcendent narrative, suggesting that the act of creating art is both an exploration of the divine and an expression of hope. Engaging with the visible world as a text, individuals should seek to uncover deeper meanings embedded by God in creation, rather than simply generating original ideas uninhibited by previous insights. The speaker draws on Tolkien’s understanding that true intelligence involves discerning the richness of creation, which can rekindle a sense of purpose and beauty lost amidst modern distractions. Thus, art serves as a vehicle for hope, capable of redirecting individuals toward eternal truths present in everyday life.
The Importance of Naming
Proper naming is described as a significant aspect of subcreation that establishes true correspondences and invites a deeper understanding of relationships. The speaker warns against labels that misrepresent reality, stressing that recognizing and articulating the essence of people and things fosters genuine connection with the world. This act of naming harkens back to the earliest Biblical invitations to understand creation, which ultimately guides individuals back to their divine origins. Through appropriate naming and recognition, the act of subcreation nurtures the unfolding story of humanity in collaboration with God.
Joining God's Creative Process
The podcast articulates a vision where believers see themselves as integral participants in God's ongoing story, emphasizing that a deeper knowledge of scripture equips them for this role. Creativity is portrayed as a dynamic interaction wherein humanity engages with the divine narrative, not merely to reflect it but to expand upon it through their unique talents and insights. The metaphors of acting and jazz improvisation are used to illustrate the fluid nature of collaborating with God, suggesting that spontaneity in alignment with divine will leads to authenticity. By recognizing the interconnectedness of their actions within a larger narrative, sub-creators contribute to the holistic restoration and evolving purpose of creation.
Tolkien talked about “subcreation” - this thing we do when we take something God has made and create with it. When we try to make creation about ourselves—our pride, our desire for affirmation, and so on—we only make things harder. But when we understand it properly, our subcreation is a middle act between God’s first creation and His second—and the culture we build together becomes, as Andy Crouch put it, part of “the furniture of eternity.” In this episode, Matthew Clark explores this second of three aspects of our creative task as humans (cultivation, subcreation, and naming).
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode