Creativity In Faith

vs. underachievement

Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

To practice Creativity, I will:

use my talents for good
see things from more than one angle
use principles to solve problems
be a lifelong learner
try new approaches

“Unleash Your Creativity” in Religion

by Ralph Brueggemann, guest contributor

The intersection of the major religions—Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam— is rich and diverse, reflecting the ways in which spirituality and artistic expression are intertwined in human culture. For instance, the start of creativity is based on the passage from Genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

A significant historical expression of creativity occurred in Florence Italy, around the 14th century, when a banking family known as the Medici’s funded many artistic endeavors, phenomenally advancing the arts. During this period of history, there was a coalescing of creative ideas that had a multiplying effect known as the “Medici effect.” This creative thinking is stimulated through combinations. Creative combinations are the ability to make connections by combining concepts across domains of knowledge. In this period, sculpting both “David” and “Pieta” and painting the “Last Judgment” and the ceiling of the “Sistine Chapel” are examples of Michelangelo Buonarroti’s achievements.

In the realm of music Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” is a masterpiece of Baroque choral music that combines multiple orchestras, choirs, soloist, and instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and keyboards like the harpsichord and organ. It is the power of creative combinations that provides the rich harmonic textures and emotional depth in the music.

Ralph Brueggemann is an Adjunct Professor at the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati with a focus on interdisciplinary innovation. Co-author of a book on innovation and entrepreneurship.