Imagination and the Journey of Faith

by Sandra M. Levy

What makes us open to mystery, to glimpses of the Transcendent in our daily lives? The power of the imagination, according to Sandra Levy -- a power that has been seriously depleted in today's postmodern culture.

To address and redress this situation, Levy first explores how the imagination expresses itself -- through ritual, music, poetry, art, and story -- and then focuses on specific practices that can exercise and enrich our spiritual capacity, thus opening us up to divine encounter.

Imagination and the Journey of Faith  will speak to both those outside of a religious tradition and those in faith communities who wish to strengthen and deepen the imaginative power of their spiritual lives.

Genres: Religion, Theology

202 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Elizabeth Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Levy's conviction that imagination is absolutely fundamental to the life of faith. We don't hear this enough! But I want this concept explored more fully than she seems able. Much of this book looks through the lens of artists creating in response to sacred experiences. But what about actually engaging with the sacred through the creative process? What about considering our life choices a work of creation and therefore an act of faith? I want MORE.

[Connie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, clear, and thought-provoking exposition of the ways imagination and the arts are vital to the life of faith. For pastors and lay leaders interested in elevating the arts within a congregation, there is a section on very concrete ways to proceed; Levy has served as an Episcopal parish priest, so she knows the territory.

Highly recommend.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another reviewer said more or less what I would say.

[Victoria Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levi's greatest contribution is also her most problematic, namely that "the primary human locus of (revelation) is the imagination which intuits God's impingement on consciousness and in turn creates a world of meaning by way of ritual movement, music, poetry and stories."

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best way to screw up a book on imagination and faith is to write something so thoroughly unimaginative as this. Really, dry, dead and boring. Someone needs to write a better book on this, because this one sucked.