Why We Create: Reflections on the Creator, the Creation, and Creating

by Jane Clark Scharl (Editor), Brian Brown (Editor), Anthony Esolen (Contributor)

Does my work matter to God?

Too few Christians understand why the answer to this question is yes, or how to open their creativity to God's inspiration. And yet the story of both God's creation and God's Word make a clear call on human vocation.

In "Why We Create," wise men and women introduce you to the patterns of God's own creative nature in His world, show how He imprinted that nature on you...and unpack how to join your work to His in a life of creative thriving.

Featuring: Hans Boersma, Brian Brown, Paul Buckley, Leslie Bustard, Matthew Clark, Anthony Esolen, Peter Leithart, Marilyn McEntyre, Grace Olmstead, Jeromie Rand, Jane Scharl, Heidi White, and Jessica Hooten Wilson.

This book is a product of the Anselm Society, a Colorado-based organization dedicated to a renaissance of the Christian imagination.

Genres: Theology, Writing, Christian, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Nate Knecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that seeks to restore an aspect of humanity that has been created into us but boiled out by the leaching world. That aspect is creation itself. What does it mean that the great Creator has created us in His image? This book compiles many essays from various perspectives and gives a great picture as to how we as Christians must readopt this life of creativity and creating so that we can know God, love his creation and fulfill our role as created creators.

[Ethan Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

"The Anselm Society gathered world-class thinkers in this book to address questions such as: What is the relationship between the creator and his subcretors? What does it mean to be "created in the image of God"? How can I use my talents to the glory of God? And why do humans create at all?"
-From the back of the book

In my estimation they did a decent job answering those questions.

Its interesting reading things like this because you notice that they all draw from the same people: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, Josef Pieper, and T.S. Elliot. Makes me want to read them more.

My favorite essays from here were: Why We Create: The Eucharistic Life, The Art of Subcreation, and The Art of Cultivation.

Some fine sections from these essays for just a taste so that you may get it:

"The verbs "subdue" and "dominion" in the Creation Mandate have troubled many writers and thinkers, however, as they seem to justify the violence and destruction, we see in the age of the anthropocene... This emphasizes the importance of reading Genesis 1:28 with an understanding of the Spirit's work of merahefet. As we are made in the image of god, our works of creation and cultivation are meant to mirror his own. The creation mandate, therefore must point toward the gentleness and tenderness of god's creative work, not away from it. the Hebrew words translated as "subdue" here, kabash, implies an ordering and replenishing without violence or cruelty. it's suggested a gentle work one that echoes god's own nurturing rhythms throughout Genesis 1. it affirms humanity's active participation in gods work of nesting and unfolding, protecting and cherishing, We, too, can brood in this Earth: nurturing it, loving it, ordering it, and seeking it's good."

"Daily attentiveness and gratitude became my way of seeking to "cooperate with holy grace in every moment of my existence."

"The whole created order rejoices in the hope that God will ultimately right all wrongs."

This book helped me love God and love his creation more. It gave me a desire to rule and reign over creation as Adam and Eve were intended to. It made me want to make beautiful things.

But, there were a few quibbles so it gets 4

[Irina Trancă · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays was a delight! Contrary to what you would expect from the title, it is not (only) about arts or artistic creatives, but about a larger perspective on so many other aspects - time, the relationship with nature, naming, sacramental living, etc.
I highly recommend it!

[Andy Littleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful set of essays, by deep thinkers influenced by some of the the more classical and educated Christian minds (Milton, Tolkien, Lewis, O’Connor), that exhibit the ways in which we can think about being image bearers of a creator. The idea of subcreation means that we honor the created order, and improvise within its bounds. A very thoughtful and thought provoking little book.

[Noah Lykins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating metaphysical thoughts and reflections on life, worship, time, prayer, sacramental living, naming, literature, and more. Valuable, insightful, and reasonably concise/digestable contributions from all the authors. Kudos to Brian and Anselm for the work behind this project.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this series of essays on the importance of art and creativity for the Christian. I hope many of the truths explored in them are on their way to recovery within Reformed evangelical circles in America, a space I gladly and wholeheartedly occupy, but which has sadly shunned this area of the Christian life. The writers in this little volume have encouraged me to take seriously my small part in reclaiming artful living for Christ. I really like how Jessica Hooten Wilson explains in the prologue that every Christian is a creator:

"In contrast to those who despise myths are those who see themselves as 'little makers,' Tolkien calls us, made to image God in the world, to tell his story through the creative story of our lives."

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of very helpful and inspiring essays.