PHL 228: Reformational Philosophy

Art, for Seerveld, belongs to the very infrastructure of a good society, in the same way that a country's economy, transportation system, or media network do: "With a vital artistic infrastructure priming its inhabitants' imaginativity, a society can dress its wounds and be able to clothe and mitigate what otherwise might become naked technocratic deeds." Redemptive Art in Society, introduced by Adrienne Dengerink Chaplin, addresses the need for Christian public artistry and ways in which Christians can be stewards of art

These eight lectures explore the unfavorable conditions in which European society and its Christian artists find themselves today. Seerveld masterfully locates current quandaries in the large time frame stretching from Ancient Greece to the present, all the while introducing normative alternatives that are biblically oriented. The artwork of mostly 20th century or contemporary artists that he includes exemplify the kind of redemptive, modern, Christian art Seerveld is advocating

Seerveld opens Scripture in a variety of life contexts in which God’s people find themselves today. In both his professional studies and popular lectures Seerveld seeks to explicate, both devoutly and playfully, a biblical wisdom for daily living, convinced as he is that the Holy Spirit-given biblical writings bespeak God’s everlasting care and wisdom for us corporeal mortals. Just as Susanna Oppliger’s ceramic angel (on the cover) shelters the exhausted, scared Elijah (1998), waking him up to carry on the Lord’s appointed tasks, just so, suggests Seerveld, following Jesus Christ through this wonder-filled, troubled lifetime bodes strength and hope for the morrow

Seerveld is convinced that philosophical aesthetics—systematic reflection on the nature and task of human imaginative life—will be normative when the thought is wholesome, edible, worth chewing, and builds the body of a community with joyful shalom. These writings and lectures aim to spell out some of what this aesthetic imperative means for human imaginative acts, for the arts, and for the other acts and institutions where aesthetic functions play a role.

A selection of lectures and articles by Calvin Seerveld, edited by Craig Bartholomew, on topics as diverse as art, education, daily working life, song, dance, philosophy and reading the Bible. With an introduction to the thought of Seerveld by Bartholomew and an autobiographical 'vignette' by Seerveld himself. The sheer creativity, panache, godly wisdom and humour of Seerveld, and the breathtaking scope of his knowledge and interests, are clearly shown in these diverse articles and lectures, not available elsewhere. Calvin Seerveld sparkles as a foundational Christian teacher and thinker in pursuit of common-sense daily godliness.

"Produced in honor of Calvin G. Seerveld, this volume highlights Seerveld's legacy as a scholar, teacher, and cultural leader even as it breaks new ground in the fields of cultural theory and aesthetics." "The introduction discusses the importance of Seerveld's contributions to the study of the arts and culture, summarizes the essays in this collection, and relates them to themes in Seerveld's work. The volume's fourteen essays extend Seerveld's efforts to new areas and probe the traditions on which his efforts rely. An open letter from Nicholas Wolterstorff and a bibliography of Seerveld's writings begin and conclude the volume."

The necessity of Christian artistic and literary activity -- The nature of art and slant of Christian art -- Literature among the arts -- The office of literary criticism.