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Creativity and Becoming: On Art, Writing, and Orthodox Spiritual Life
266 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2024
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April 10, 2025
Jeff has done something very unique here.
He has essentially drawn from (what I am sure has been) decades of endless encounters with Beauty, Truth and Goodness through Art in order to articulate an Orthodox perspective on what creating is all about.
There is so much in this book, but I feel like this was the uniting message for me, which I have coincidentally just begun to stumble upon in a foggy way in my heart through the life of prayer:
"...the goal is not writing itself. the writing is only one way to the goal, which is entering into loving union with God".
As a practising Orthodox Christian and a beginning writer, this book prodded me, convicted me, questioned me, challenged me, inspired me, and re-shaped so many misconceptions and false ideas which have naturally seeped into my writing. I feel as though Jeff has put a microscope over my heart and described in such terrifying detail every falsity that has left a wound upon it.
And then, as I was reading, I found that he was extracting his reflections from so many of those heroes who have inspired me, formed me, and shown me the Truth. He articulated so well what has been brewing and stirring in my heart these last few years as a reader and listener of those great works of true Art.
Dostoevsky, Solzhenitsyn, Elder Sophrony of Essex, Arvo Pärt (and particularly his commencement speech at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, which broke me in pieces when I first heard it, and has since formed the seedlings in my heart as a pianist and writer), C.S. Lewis, Henry Nouwen, and so forth. This book essentially drew together the uniting Truths which would have likely taken me decades to form in my mind and my heart, and presents it all for me in a single collection of reflections! I couldn't think of a more precious gift than this, sent to me by God at the perfect time–when He knew my heart was ripe enough to accept it.
I especially loved Jeff's reflections on AI and the metaverse, and believe these to be a timely and much needed perspective in the sphere of creativity. I've always known these things intuitively and had a similar experience to the author with the discovery of AI, but it was nice to see it so effectively communicated through an Orthodox lens of theology.
To all Christians. To all writers. To all lovers of Truth. Grab a copy of this book... and savour it.
He has essentially drawn from (what I am sure has been) decades of endless encounters with Beauty, Truth and Goodness through Art in order to articulate an Orthodox perspective on what creating is all about.
There is so much in this book, but I feel like this was the uniting message for me, which I have coincidentally just begun to stumble upon in a foggy way in my heart through the life of prayer:
"...the goal is not writing itself. the writing is only one way to the goal, which is entering into loving union with God".
As a practising Orthodox Christian and a beginning writer, this book prodded me, convicted me, questioned me, challenged me, inspired me, and re-shaped so many misconceptions and false ideas which have naturally seeped into my writing. I feel as though Jeff has put a microscope over my heart and described in such terrifying detail every falsity that has left a wound upon it.
And then, as I was reading, I found that he was extracting his reflections from so many of those heroes who have inspired me, formed me, and shown me the Truth. He articulated so well what has been brewing and stirring in my heart these last few years as a reader and listener of those great works of true Art.
Dostoevsky, Solzhenitsyn, Elder Sophrony of Essex, Arvo Pärt (and particularly his commencement speech at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, which broke me in pieces when I first heard it, and has since formed the seedlings in my heart as a pianist and writer), C.S. Lewis, Henry Nouwen, and so forth. This book essentially drew together the uniting Truths which would have likely taken me decades to form in my mind and my heart, and presents it all for me in a single collection of reflections! I couldn't think of a more precious gift than this, sent to me by God at the perfect time–when He knew my heart was ripe enough to accept it.
I especially loved Jeff's reflections on AI and the metaverse, and believe these to be a timely and much needed perspective in the sphere of creativity. I've always known these things intuitively and had a similar experience to the author with the discovery of AI, but it was nice to see it so effectively communicated through an Orthodox lens of theology.
To all Christians. To all writers. To all lovers of Truth. Grab a copy of this book... and savour it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review