For truth and beauty

Theology, Imagination, and the Arts

Revolving topics here as we discuss writing as from an A/P perspective, theology, imagination, and the creative arts are given a forum all their own at Transpositions. (In this vein, don't miss Kent's discussion on the importance of an Apostolic arts movement.) As the Transposition's "About" page reveals,

Transpositions is a collaborative effort of students associated with the Institute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at the University of St Andrews. On one level, transpositions connotes our goal to create conversations between Christian theology and the arts. Just like a musician might transpose from the key of B flat Major to C Major in order to create beautiful music with other instruments, we desire to transpose from the mode of theology to the arts and from the arts to theology in order to create meaningful resonances. Transpositions also brings to mind placing images and ideas of varying opacity over one another so that from particular points of view they appear to blend without distinction, creating a new form of beauty. On another level, transpositions suggests the nature of both art and theology as a transposition of divine reality into earthly form [emphasis mind]. As C. S. Lewis concluded in his brilliant essay entitled ‘Transposition,’ our glimpse of God through embodied transpositions and our taste of true reality in the present gives us hope that one day we will experience the fullness of beauty.

A Prayer for Truth and Beauty

May our creative contemplations give rise to a fuller vision of the Word who spoke both reality into existence and the truth in parables.

May we, in our vision of Him, come to see ourselves more clearly: as flawed and needing the transposition of a beauty that is not our own.

May our creative endeavors help perfect His character in each of us until, as vessels of His Holy Spirit, we radiate His truth and beauty in the world.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.


Image: Solitude by Lord Frederick Leighton, Maryhill Museum of Art