Theopoetics as Response to Suffering: the Visual Art of Käthe Kollwitz in the Reformation of Practical Theodicy
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Michael Stoeber
Abstract
This article responds to Heather Walton’s impassioned call to form and reform practical theology via bricolage in the creative arts. It illustrates the epiphanic role of the visual art of Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) in transforming suffering. Following a brief outline of Kollwitz’s life, the paper explores the theopoetic power of her art in relation to practical theodicy: in terms of its social activist dynamics, deeply compassionate context, sanctifying and consoling powers, and numinous-mystical affections.
Zusammenfassung
Dieser Aufsatz antwortet auf Heather Waltons Aufruf dazu, Praktische Theologie unter Rückgriff auf die bildenden Künste und die „Bricolage“-Technik zu gestalten. Er erläutert die offenbarende Wirkung der Malerei von Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) für den heilsamen Umgang mit Leid. Es wird die theopoetische Kraft von Kollwitz’ Kunst im Verhältnis zur praktischen Theodizee erkundet. Zu den dabei berücksichtigten Facetten gehören: soziales und gesellschaftliches Engagement, Mitgefühl, Heiligung und Trost sowie numinos-mystische Anrührung.
© 2019 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Research Articles
- A Theopoetics of Practice: Re-forming in Practical Theology
- Theopoetics as Response to Suffering: the Visual Art of Käthe Kollwitz in the Reformation of Practical Theodicy
- Poetic License
- Joining the Slow Pilgrimage in a Second Holy Week in Autumn: A Theopoetics from the Ars Moriendi.
- What’s the Buzz? Celebrity Worship and Fandom Experiences of Ted Neeley (Jesus Christ Superstar)
- Heimat im Offenen?
- Von Fall zu Fall
- International Report
- Practical Theology in Africa: Situation, Approaches, Framework and Agenda Proposition
- Research Report
- We’re all “Bananas and Coconuts”: Congregational Song in the Global South
- Book Reviews
- Tapiwa N. Mucherera and Emmanuel Y. Lartey (eds), Pastoral Care, Health, Healing, and Wholeness in African Contexts: Methodology, Context, and Issues – African Practical Theology, Vol. 1 (Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2017), 137pp, ISBN: 978-1-4982-2188-7.
- Emmanuel Katongole, Born from Lament: The Theology and Politics of Hope in Africa, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2017, 294 pp., ISBN 9780802874244, $30.
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Research Articles
- A Theopoetics of Practice: Re-forming in Practical Theology
- Theopoetics as Response to Suffering: the Visual Art of Käthe Kollwitz in the Reformation of Practical Theodicy
- Poetic License
- Joining the Slow Pilgrimage in a Second Holy Week in Autumn: A Theopoetics from the Ars Moriendi.
- What’s the Buzz? Celebrity Worship and Fandom Experiences of Ted Neeley (Jesus Christ Superstar)
- Heimat im Offenen?
- Von Fall zu Fall
- International Report
- Practical Theology in Africa: Situation, Approaches, Framework and Agenda Proposition
- Research Report
- We’re all “Bananas and Coconuts”: Congregational Song in the Global South
- Book Reviews
- Tapiwa N. Mucherera and Emmanuel Y. Lartey (eds), Pastoral Care, Health, Healing, and Wholeness in African Contexts: Methodology, Context, and Issues – African Practical Theology, Vol. 1 (Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2017), 137pp, ISBN: 978-1-4982-2188-7.
- Emmanuel Katongole, Born from Lament: The Theology and Politics of Hope in Africa, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2017, 294 pp., ISBN 9780802874244, $30.
