As many of you know, I am working on my doctorate through Kingdom Bible College and Seminary. In the process of my research, I came upon a book from a major expert on creativity. I haven’t gotten very far. In the introductory chapters, he speaks of God as if He is something we created to help us understand the things going on in the world, and basically asserts that as humanity’s creativity advanced, we no longer had the need for a god. I wanted to throw the book out the window, but it’s on my Kindle Fire and I’d just as soon not wreck that. I thought about quitting the book, and yet I am struggling. I’m not ashamed to admit the man’s point of view frustrates me, but is there still something to be learned from his research and scholarship? I’m really torn. I know there are many in the arts who would happily share his point of view, and many in the world who would see my reaction as narrow minded, but I am sorry, I know my Creator and I believe any creativity I have has been endowed on me by my Creator. To see God belittled as a figment of my imagination is hurtful and for the context of the book completely unnecessary. The book is not assigned reading or anything like that. It is just a book that comes well recommended. Am I being too thin-skinned? Am I becoming the Christian version of the “cancel-culture” from the world which I passionately hate?
Here’s what I think I will do. I think I will read on, and direct my anger and frustration and prayer for the author and all those who think like him. I think I will try to glean any good information on creativity that I can in hopes that it will help my research and then in the process, I will do what I planned to do all along which is write (as best as I am able) the consummate book on creativity for the Church, one that acknowledges our Lord on every page and encourages believing creatives to use their creativity for the sake of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.
What would you do?
AMOKArts 