Join Catherine Keller, a leader in process theopoetics, Rubem Alves, a voice for liberation theology, and John Caputo, Richard Kearney, and Karmen MacKendrick, who delve into the intricate intersections of faith and philosophy. They celebrate the launch of *Way to Water*, exploring how theopoetics fosters spiritual renewal and community engagement. Their vibrant dialogue highlights the transformative power of personal experiences and diverse voices in shaping theological discourse, rich with artistic expression and social justice.
Theopoetics enriches theological discourse by integrating aesthetic and embodied experiences, fostering a more relatable spirituality for contemporary believers.
Historically rooted in cultural upheaval, the emergence of theopoetics in the 1960s reflects a need for expressing faith amid societal tensions.
The conversation emphasizes the significance of including marginalized voices in theology, advocating for a framework that addresses social justice issues.
Deep dives
Book Release Event for 'Away to Water'
The episode features a lively online book release event for Callum Keith Perry's new book, 'Away to Water.' This book is described as an exploration into the concept of theo-poetics and its implications for theology and religious discourse. The engagement from the audience reflects a strong interest in the themes presented in the book. Several guests express excitement about the book's potential impact, highlighting its significance within contemporary theological discussions.
The Importance of Theopoetics
The episode discusses the concept of theopoetics, emphasizing its role in enriching theological language and experience. The speakers highlight how theopoetics emerged in the 1960s as a response to perceived limitations in traditional religious language. By integrating aesthetic and embodied experiences into the understanding of God, theopoetics fosters a more relatable and nuanced engagement with spirituality. It is portrayed as a necessary framework to avoid the dryness often associated with classical theology and to connect with contemporary believers.
Historical Context and Theological Relevance
The conversation emphasizes the historical roots of theopoetics, particularly during times of cultural upheaval such as the 1960s. The speakers articulate that theopoetics arose from a cultural need to express faith in more relatable terms during periods of tension and change. This historical perspective situates theopoetics as a vital theological tool that influences its development over time. Additionally, it is noted that this dialogue has fluctuated in visibility within academic discourse, often surfacing during societal moments of uncertainty.
Embodiment and Theological Method
The speakers delve into the significance of embodiment in theological discourse, arguing that one's experiences, identities, and contexts fundamentally influence theological understanding. This approach challenges the notion of a disembodied theology, instead advocating for a perspective that recognizes the influence of one’s body and societal positioning on their faith experience. By acknowledging the richness of personal identity and experiences, the conversation calls for a more inclusive and diversified theological practice. This positions embodiment not as an ancillary aspect of theology but as a central tenet for more holistic and meaningful engagement with faith.
Calls for Inclusivity and Justice
The episode concludes with a strong emphasis on the need for inclusivity within theological discussions, particularly in elevating marginalized voices. The speakers advocate for a theological framework that not only recognizes the importance of diverse perspectives but actively seeks to integrate them into the conversation. Acknowledging historical and contemporary injustices, they argue that theology must respond to societal issues such as inequality and oppression. This call for action underscores the transformative potential of theopoetics when applied to real-world challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Callid recently released his book, Way to Water: A Theopoetics Primer with Cascade Books and we threw an online book party. That celebratory and streaming endeavor has been edited for your listening enjoyment. The book itself is chock full of goodness with chapters on process theopoetics (including Catherine Keller), the intersection of biblical and literary studies, Rubem Alves‘ liberation theology, and the sweet Continental philosophy of John Caputo, Richard Kearney, and Karmen MacKendrick. For more info on Callid's book check out the blog tour.
Make sure you check out our sponsor Deidox Films. They create short films take show how different disciples in different walks of life embody their faith. If you like using films in your teaching, preaching or learning then get wise and click on over.
You can also check out the downloadable package of three High Gravity classes Tripp and Peter Rollins taught together. It includes all the audio from Atheism for Lent, Radical Theology, and Christology classes totally over 27 hours of material for 50 bucks.
