Artwork from “Prophets of a Future Not Our Own,” Canisius University
Time:
3:00pm Central Europe / Central Africa (4:00pm East Africa Time / Jerusalem, 2:00pm UK, 9:00am USA Eastern, 6:30pm India Time)
Meeting Theme:
Theopoetics is an approach to theology that merges creative expression, such as poetry and art, with theological reflection to explore spiritual truths and experiences beyond traditional doctrinal frameworks. It emphasizes imagination, embodiment, critique of oppressive structures, and the transformative power of artistic engagement in shaping theological understanding and ethical action.
During this CPN July meeting, David Katibah (Telos) will share briefly about how poetry, art, and aesthetic practices shape our capacity to imagine a world beyond the one of violence, oppression, and supremacy that we have inherited. This capacity to imagine is central to the call of Christ to repent and "transform our minds" (Romans 12:2). Poetry and other forms of art often do this transformative work within us, even if we're not perceptive of it. By expanding our capacity to see beyond our current borders of what is “possible” and redefine what we see as “good,” it becomes possible to follow Jesus in his work to build the holistic and just peace of God’s reign. During this CPN meeting, participants will explore how we can open our eyes to the theopoetic in order to see the poetry in the world around us and begin creating it too.
Discussion questions:
How has poetry or art influenced your imagination and understanding of justice, peace, and the Kingdom of God?
Share a specific poem, piece of art, or aesthetic practice that resonates with your imagination of the Kingdom of God. What elements make it impactful for you?
How can we support and encourage each other in developing a theopoetic lens through which we engage with the world and our faith?
Introductory Speaker:
