Baptized Imagination: The Theology of George MacDonald(Ashgate Studies in Theology, Imagination and the Arts)

The imagination has been called, 'the principal organ for knowing and responding to disclosures of transcendent truth'. This book probes the theological sources of the imagination, which make it a vital tool for knowing and responding to such disclosures. Kerry Dearborn approaches areas of theology and imagination through a focus on the nineteenth century theologian and writer George MacDonald. MacDonald can be seen as an icon whose life and work open a window to the intersection of word, flesh and image. He communicated the gospel through narrative and image-rich forms which honour truth and address the intellectual, imaginative, spiritual, and emotional needs of his readers. MacDonald was also able to speak prophetically in a number of areas of contemporary concern, such as the nature of suffering, aging and death, environmental degradation, moral imagination and gender issues. Dearborn explores influences which shaped him, along with the wisdom he has offeredin the formation of significant Christian writers in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers, J.R.R. Tolkien, W.H. Auden, Frederick Buechner and others attribute to MacDonald key paradigm shifts and insights in their own lives. A study of MacDonald does not offer a formulaic approach to theology and the imagination, but the possibility of gleaning from his rich harvest relevant nourishment for our own day. It also provides a context in which to assess potential weaknesses in imaginative approaches to theology.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction; Calvinist and Celtic: MacDonald's context and early influences; Classical and literary influences on MacDonald's life and thought; British theological influences; MacDonald's theology of the imagination; Imagination and theological transformation; Renewed vision of humanity; Renewed vision of suffering, aging, and death; Conclusion: an assessment of MacDonald's imaginative approach to theology and his theology of the imagination; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
Kerry Dearborn is Associate Professor of Theology at Seattle Pacific University, USA.

Review :
'This is - certainly for one who values the writing of C. S. Lewis - an excellent study.' Heythrop Journal ' Dearborn's book is a magisterial work, at once panoramic and detailed.' Theology '... the text is important; those intending to grapple either with MacDonald or the thinkers who claim his influence must consider Baptized Imagination. Petition your libraries for purchase...' VII: An Anglo-American Literary Review