A theology of writing/a theology of fiction

A theology of writing/a theology of fiction July 22, 2016

My daughter Mary Moerbe, over at her blog Meet, Write, & Salutary, is trying to think through a theology of writing and a theology of fiction.   She is seeking input and possible contributors.  See where she is with this after the jump.

From Mary Moerbe,  Theology of Writing – Meet, Write, & Salutary: Conversation & Community for Lutheran Writers

I may or may not be a little obsessed with the power of words. As Lutherans, receiving God’s gifts of faith through them, shouldn’t we be? So, I would start off with an essay addressing that. (Ok, I may have slipped that in the other one, too, but two such essays can easily coexist with different emphases/ application.)

How does a revealed God, holy writings, and the efficacy of God’s Word affect believing writers and their texts? What do the teachings of Jesus reveal about potential for clarity in writing? Or the extent to which human words can shape limited human understanding?

Theologically, I think we could explore two kingdom implications, theology of the cross in that we cannot make people listen, with a nice touch of theology of education because, after all, human understanding is an easy idol, especially now, yet education in Scripture plays an ongoing, very positive role.

As part of that, we can consider:

  • The role, benefits, and limitations of written (and writing) apologetics (which crosses genre more than many realize)
  • Pastor Pundits (like Hans Fiene, Senior Contributor to The Federalist & Lutheran Satirist)
    • What is the extent to which pastors can have public voices outside the Office, particularly in cultural and political matters?
    • On the other hand, what is the effect of multiple multimedia pastors upon pastoral care? Can one’s writing undermine local pastors?
    • For that matter, what about sermons which never are intended for a specific audience, only general? What is the theological grounding?

Then there are practical concerns like

  • Reviving Forgotten Scriptural Concepts, and
  • Supplementing Scriptural Language and Metaphors: Uses and Limitations.

I can imagine all sorts of things fitting within the parameters:

  • Academic Writing in Fields of Skeptics
  • Writing within Vocation Generally
  • Vulgar Language: It’s Uses and Abuses
  • Media, Tedium, and Writing to Serve
  • Letting God have the Last Word

[Keep reading. . .] 

For her thinking about a theology of fiction, see this.

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