Crafting a Doctrine of Creation: rethinking the doctrine of creation in ways that take seriously our relationships with an animate and communicative world without divinizing nature or inviting its worship, led by Willie James Jennings

This workshop will explore what it means to believe in creation through believing in the triune God as creator.

Through considering several poets, nature writers, theologians, and ethicists, we will discern together some of the crucial elements in an actual doctrine of creation and experiment with language for articulating them. Our aim will be not simply to discuss creation in the abstract, but to begin crafting a theological account that issues in practices of faithful living in place.

That faithful practice must contend with the practices of real estate, privatization of property, exploitation of natural resources, and uneven distribution of goods and services in the ways communities are built. Our goal will be to craft a practice consistent with seeing ourselves as creatures of the living God who must give witness to God’s redemption of place.

This workshop is open to participants with a range of writing experience; no prior experience in theological writing is required. Some previous study of theology, whether through formal theological education, ministry formation, or sustained independent reading, will be helpful. We especially welcome participants interested in thinking carefully about Christian doctrine, place, ecology, and the practices by which communities inhabit the world.

Leader bio: Willie Jennings is a theologian who teaches in the areas of Christian thought, race theory, decolonial and environmental studies. Dr. Jennings is an ordained Baptist minister and the author of several books including The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race.

Application Process: Applications due by Sunday, February 14. Apply here.