Focusing on the role of artists, particularly writers, this treatise critiques contemporary Christian views on creativity. It contends that modern Protestant interpretations of culture have strayed from a Biblical understanding of God as Creator, highlighting the need for a return to foundational faith in the creative process. The work emphasizes the significance of art in expressing and exploring spiritual truths within a cultural context.
The book features contributions from various experts, providing a diverse range of insights and perspectives. Each contributor brings unique expertise, enriching the content with their specialized knowledge. This collaborative effort highlights different themes and topics, making the work a comprehensive resource for readers interested in the subject matter. The diverse backgrounds of the contributors enhance the depth and breadth of the discussion, appealing to a wide audience.
Exploring identity through an imaginative lens, this theological work delves into the "master images" of self as player, sufferer, and vandal. Harned articulates how these concepts shape our understanding of who we are and our potential. With clarity and style, he invites readers to reflect on the interplay of mind and spirit in the formation of identity, emphasizing the significance of these roles in our lives.
Focusing on the theme of grace, this work explores the shared views across various traditions regarding humanity's role as active participants in life. Professor Harned emphasizes the connection between the Christian faith and ordinary experiences, particularly in family life and play. The concept of grace, described as the divine's presence and activity among people, intertwines with imagination and creativity, highlighting how these elements shape spiritual understanding and engagement in everyday activities.
Focusing on the theology of the Apostles' Creed, David Harned presents the idea that the creed serves as a foundational image for self-understanding, emphasizing the concept of being a "child of God." He argues that the creed plays a crucial role in personality formation and character development, moving beyond its traditional interpretations as merely a statement of beliefs or a loyalty oath. Through eight chapters, Harned invites readers to reconsider the creed's significance in shaping their identity and moral character.
The book challenges conventional views by asserting that faith, hope, and love are essential rather than optional elements of existence. It emphasizes that these virtues form the critical foundation upon which all other aspects of life are built, suggesting a profound interconnection between them and the essence of human experience. Through this lens, it invites readers to reconsider the role of these virtues in their lives and the world around them.
In this book, David Baily Harned makes a persuasive case for the significance of patience as an essential ingredient of the moral life. In a bold and invigorating manner, the author addresses contemporary existence--the lives of individuals, families, communities, and nations--and demonstrates how the Christian vision informs our efforts to live in a chaotic and violent world as faithful, hopeful, loving children of God. This essay in theological ethics is rooted in classic texts: the Old and New Testaments, as well as the writings of Augustine, Gregory I, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas a Kempis, John Calvin, Soren Kierkegaard, and W. H. Vanstone. In graceful prose and through careful analysis, David Harned both inspires and instructs. This new edition also includes an afterword by one of his former students who explores the value of this study by applying its insights to the life and leadership of George Washington.