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Wanting Like a God
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Product Description
"Wanting Like a God" introduces readers to the work of the 17th century metaphysical poet and theologian Thomas Traherne. Denise Inge pays particular attention to the recent discoveries of hitherto unknown manuscripts which have helped to raise Traherne's profile. Inge convincingly leads readers to a new understanding of Traherne, not only as a poet, but also as a theologian, capable of appreciating not only blissful rejoicing but also profound darkness. The book offers a close consideration of Traherne's literary and poetic writings, and considerably reevaluates his work, showing Traherne as a theologian whose main concern was to trace the dynamic between desire and satisfaction that he felt defined and structured the relationship between God and human beings. This publication provides readers with a persuasive reinterpretation of Traherne's spiritual vision and brings to market the first academic study of his work since the discovery of the Lambeth manuscripts.
Specification
Author
Denise Inge
Book Format
Paperback
Items in Pack
1
Publisher
SCM Press
Published
August 2009
Weight
25g
Page Count
320
Dimensions
234 x 386 x 153 mm
ISBN
9780334041474
ISBN-10
0334041473
Eden Code
1150425
More Information
Author/Creator: Denise Inge
ISBN: 9780334041474
Publisher: SCM Press
Release Date: August 2009
Weight: 25g
Dimensions: 234 x 386 x 153 mm
Eden Code: 1150425
13 years ago
Wanting Like a God
Thomas Traherne (1637 – 1674) is undoubtedly best known for the poetic work Centuries of Meditations, its blissful rapture endearing yet often read as naive or escapist, hankering for the happiness of a lost innocence. Denise Inge demonstrates that this 'felicity' is only part of the story and in itself is about enjoying God's creation in the present as well as looking forward, renewed in desire. With alert, meticulous scholarship, Inge draws on many extant writings of Traherne [some, excitingly, discovered recently and remarkably (see p267) to demonstrate that Traherne is a major thinker, contributing to the debates of Restoration England and exploring questions in ways which can speak to our times.
The book is carefully organised under 5 themes: Wanting, Discerning Treasure, Choice, Difference and Communion. 'You must want like a God that you may be satisfied like God' claimed Traherne. Inge shows this 'wanting', to mean both 'lack' and ,positively, 'desire' , a pervasive stream in Traherne's writings.. 'God desires infinitely; and what he desires in return is desire itself'. On some themes Traherne is less convincing to the present reader, for all Inge's careful and eloquent argument. This is because whilst he loves the Triune God (p199f), he writes on some subjects e.g. Image of God and righteousness, in ways that owe more to neo-Platonism than Christ.
The final theme ' Communion' is truly uplifting in expounding Traherne's writings on the Cross as the tree of life, on fire like the burning bush and Traherne writes stirringly on gratitude. Further, throughout, Inge dialogues Traherne with other thinkers, ancient and contemporary, and succinctly shows how pertinent his writings are to economics (p110), scientific discovery and faith , and social justice.
This book will be invaluable to students of seventeenth century literature, theology or philosophy . I hope its readership won't be limited to these. In its perceptive scholarship and keen insight it deserves to be widely read and reflected upon.
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