God's Creative Gift-Unleashing the Artist in You

by Jody Thomae

Overview

Description: God's Creative Gift is an in-depth study for the creative Christian. It is intended for both professional and lay artists, for the casual crafter and hobbyist, and for those in both sacred and secular settings. It is for those who see things where others do not and for those whose imaginations cannot be confined by religious dogma and tradition. It is for musicians, singers, painters, sculptors, dancers, dramatists, writers, poets, carvers, weavers, film editors, photographers, filmmakers, architects, designers--anyone who finds inspiration in creativity. Focusing on the creative spirit within, it is designed to help you draw your inspiration from a Deeper Source. It is deeply rooted in Scripture--for the creative Christian must enter into the Word of God on a regular basis in order to know the choreographer of her steps, the crafter of her designs, the author and perfecter of her faith, and the sculptor of her creative heart, soul, mind, and body. And to know Him intimately. Endorsements: ""God's Creative Gift is, simply stated, a beautiful gift for the people of God. Integrating Scripture, experience, and insights from a broad spectrum of scholars and practitioners, Jody Thomae provides a pathway to freedom and well-being available through creative expression. She reveals that we, the creative gift of the Father, hold within the potential to unleash beauty and healing creative gifts as acts of worship to God and healing to one another. An amazing thought!"" --Terry Wardle, Ashland Theological Seminary ""In God's Creative Gift, Jody Thomae emboldens every artist--amateur and professional, aspiring and accomplished, bold and hesitant--to embrace the power and potential of creativity in all its forms as a mode of worshipping the Creator. Through enriching chapters and devotional studies, artists will grow in deeper understanding of themselves and God's relationship to their creativity. A necessary book for every creative spirit!"" --Sarah M. Wells, author of Pruning Burning Bushes ""This is a wonderfully insightful book [of] excellent theological and biblical reflection that invites its readers to know themselves as created in the image and likeness of God, the Divine Artist. The 'Digging Deeper' sections, which enable readers to embody the various themes of the book, add style and grace to her work."" --Robert VerEecke, SJ, Jesuit artist-in-residence, Boston College About the Contributor(s): Jody Thomae has been involved in worship arts ministries since 1997. Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made real through the prophetic use of the arts in our churches and ministries. She is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary and lives in Ashland, Ohio, with her husband and two children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620326152
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	02/27/2013
Pages:	198
Sales rank:	724,153
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jody Thomae has been involved in worship arts ministry since 1997, serving as worship arts ministry pastor, worship leader, and creative arts director. She has coordinated artistic involvement in church services and regional worship events through dance, drama, poetry and fine arts and has had the opportunity to perform, teach, choreograph, preach, coordinate and lead workshops in the area of creativity, spirituality, and embodied prayer. She enjoys leading worship at local seminars, retreats and women's events. Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made more real through the prophetic use of the arts in church and formational ministry. You can discover more about Jody, her book, her music, and her ministry at www.jodythomae.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Foreword xi

Preface xiii

Prelude: The Beginning of Things xvii

1 Creation, Creativity, & the Artist "In the beginning, God created …" 1

2 Incarnational Ministry: Being the Hands & Feet of Christ "In the beginning was the Word … … and the Word became flesh and dwelled among us." 22

3 All Things Beautiful: Towards a Theology of Beauty "… to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes …" 47

4 Priestly Role of the Artist "You will be for me a kingdom of priests" 68

5 Give Me a Sign: Symbolic Action & the Artist as Prophet "I have appealed to you through parables acted out by the prophets." 96

6 Dancing in Your Prayer Closet "… go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father …" 119

7 Seasons in the Life of the Artist "For everything there is a season …" 142

Appendix Symbolic Action of the Prophets 171

Bibliography 175

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"God's Creative Gift is, simply stated, a beautiful gift for the people of God. Integrating Scripture, experience, and insights from a broad spectrum of scholars and practitioners, Jody Thomae provides a pathway to freedom and well-being available through creative expression. She reveals that we, the creative gift of the Father, hold within the potential to unleash beauty and healing creative gifts as acts of worship to God and healing to one another. An amazing thought!"
—Terry Wardle, Ashland Theological Seminary

"In God's Creative Gift, Jody Thomae emboldens every artist—amateur and professional, aspiring and accomplished, bold and hesitant—to embrace the power and potential of creativity in all its forms as a mode of worshipping the Creator. Through enriching chapters and devotional studies, artists will grow in deeper understanding of themselves and God's relationship to their creativity. A necessary book for every creative spirit!"
—Sarah M. Wells, author of Pruning Burning Bushes

"This is a wonderfully insightful book [of] excellent theological and biblical reflection that invites its readers to know themselves as created in the image and likeness of God, the Divine Artist. The 'Digging Deeper' sections, which enable readers to embody the various themes of the book, add style and grace to her work."
—Robert VerEecke, SJ, Jesuit artist-in-residence, Boston College

Editorial Reviews

"God's Creative Gift is, simply stated, a beautiful gift for the people of God. Integrating Scripture, experience, and insights from a broad spectrum of scholars and practitioners, Jody Thomae provides a pathway to freedom and well-being available through creative expression. She reveals that we, the creative gift of the Father, hold within the potential to unleash beauty and healing creative gifts as acts of worship to God and healing to one another. An amazing thought!"
—Terry Wardle, Ashland Theological Seminary

"In God's Creative Gift, Jody Thomae emboldens every artist—amateur and professional, aspiring and accomplished, bold and hesitant—to embrace the power and potential of creativity in all its forms as a mode of worshipping the Creator. Through enriching chapters and devotional studies, artists will grow in deeper understanding of themselves and God's relationship to their creativity. A necessary book for every creative spirit!"
—Sarah M. Wells, author of Pruning Burning Bushes

"This is a wonderfully insightful book [of] excellent theological and biblical reflection that invites its readers to know themselves as created in the image and likeness of God, the Divine Artist. The 'Digging Deeper' sections, which enable readers to embody the various themes of the book, add style and grace to her work."
—Robert VerEecke, SJ, Jesuit artist-in-residence, Boston College

From the Publisher