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video reflection is below the essay! |
Aquinas on Spirit as Feminine, Creativity, & God as ‘Artist of Artists’ 03/25/2024 |
We continue our meditation on the proto-feminism of Thomas Aquinas. His emphasis on art and creativity as a spiritual path is part of his appreciation of the Feminine side of Divinity. |
His teachings on the Via Creativa are without parallel and inspired Meister Eckhart, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Julian of Norwich (the first woman to write a book in English) as well as Dante himself. One of Dante’s favorite teachers actually studied with Aquinas at the University of Paris. Spirit in
Hebrew is feminine (ruah)—a point that Aquinas makes on several occasions. He also says, "the same Spirit who hovered over the waters at the beginning of creation, hovers over the mind of the artist at work.” Where the Spirit is at work, creativity is at work. |
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Jung said that creativity comes from “the realm of the mothers.” Whether one is female or male, the birthing archetype applies to us all. |
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| Aquinas recognizes God as Artist—and by extension we, born in God’s image and likeness—are
all artists. He declares that “God is an artist and the universe is God’s work of art.” And again, “all natural things are produced by divine art and can rightly be called God’s work of art.” Indeed, God is “the Artist of artists.” |
Aquinas draws the following conclusion from the idea that nature is God’s work of art: “All artists love what they give birth to—parents love their children; poets love their poems; craftspeople love their handiwork. How then could God hate a single thing since God is the artist of everything?” |
God takes delight in us just as the artist takes delight in his or her paintings, poetry, writing, dance, pottery, filmmaking, and playwriting. For Aquinas, as for Hildegard who taught that God and creation are related as lovers, there is a love relationship between God and nature. Aquinas says: “God’s spirit is said to move over the waters as the will of the artist moves over the material to be shaped by their art, [and] the love of artists moves over the materials
of their art, in order that out of them artists might form their work.” |
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He
exegetes the biblical phrase “God saw that it [the universe] was good” to signify that God is pleased with creation, “just as all artists take satisfaction in their art.”
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Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times, pp. 52-55. See also: Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet. And Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp, 248, 65f., 245-382. And Fox, Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic...and Beyond. Banner image: The Banksy Tunnel in the UK showcases the work of urban street artists. Photo by Chris Kelly on Flickr. |
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Queries for Contemplation How does it feel to be called “God’s work of art”? Compare it, for example, to being called a “sinner,” a “wretch,” a “worm,”
or an object of judgment and wrath by a punitive father God in the sky. Do you consider yourself—and those you meet—"God’s work of art”? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and
action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author
of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet
Because creativity is the key to both our genius and beauty as a species but also to our capacity for evil, we need to teach creativity and to teach ways of steering this God-like power in
directions that promote love of life (biophilia) and not love of death (necrophilia). Pushing well beyond the bounds of conventional Christian doctrine, Fox’s focus on creativity attempts nothing less than to shape a new ethic.
“Matt Fox is a pilgrim who seeks a path into the church of tomorrow. Countless numbers will be happy to follow his lead.” –Bishop John Shelby Spong, author, Rescuing
the Bible from Fundamentalism, Living in Sin |
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Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake |
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Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic–and Beyond
Julian of Norwich lived through the dreadful bubonic plague that killed close to 50% of Europeans. Being an anchoress, she ‘sheltered in place’ and developed a
deep wisdom that she shared in her book, Showings, which was the first book in English by a woman. A theologian way ahead of her time, Julian develops a feminist understanding of God as mother at the heart of nature’s goodness. Fox shares her teachings in this powerful and timely and inspiring book.
“What an utterly magnificent book. The work of Julian of Norwich, lovingly
supported by the genius of Matthew Fox, is a roadmap into the heart of the eco-spiritual truth that all life breathes together.” –Caroline Myss
Now also available as an audiobook HERE. |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision
to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors, Tuesday, March 26, 4:00-5:00pm PT. Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, April 18, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register
HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Natural Grace: Dialogues on Creation, Darkness and the Soul in Spirituality and Science in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox pick up on their conversation about the viability of contemporary religious institutions in an evolutionary world. They discuss death and resurrection—the enduring challenge of modern approaches to the subject and what we can learn from mystics, past generations and ancient peoples alike. To listen, click HERE. |
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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