Imagination and the Playfulness of God: The Theological Implications of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Definition of the Human Imagination: 6 (Distinguished Dissertations in Christian Theology)

Description: The human imagination is a reflection of and a participation in the divine imagination; so mused the romantic poet philosopher and theologian Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His thinking was intuitive dense obscure brilliant and deeply influenced by German philosophy. This book explores the development of his philosophical theology with particular reference to the imagination examining the diverse streams that contributed to the originality of his thought. The second section of this book extrapolates his thinking into areas into which Coleridge did not venture. If God is intrinsically imaginative then how is this manifested? Can we articulate a theology of the ontology of God that is framed in imaginative and creative terms? Drawing on the groundbreaking work of Huizinga on play this study seeks to develop a theological understanding of Gods playfulness. Endorsements: Here is a theologian to watch. Expounding Coleridge is never easy but in treating this complex genius Stockitt brings a rare and engaging lucidity. And he draws out the theme of the playfulness of God in a way that is both fascinating and beguiling as well as crucial for theology today. A considerable achievement. -Jeremy Begbie Duke University As one who has long believed in the importance of Coleridge as a creative theologian I am delighted that Robin Stockitt has produced such a significant exploration of how Coleridges work on the imagination can lead us into an engagement with the play as a way of understanding the interplay of Gods being as a communion of love. This is indeed imaginative theology-a work from which many will profit and which I am delighted to commend. -Geoffrey Rowell Keble College Oxford About the Contributor(s): Robin Stockitt is the minister of the Anglican Church in Freiburg Germany. He is the author of Open to the spirit: St. Ignatius and John Wimber in Dialogue (2000).