Society of Vineyard Scholars

Annual Conference => Previous Conferences => SVS 2016: Hospitality, Holiness, and the Kingdom of God => Topic started by: Matte Downey on April 27, 2016, 11:38 AM

Title: The Welcome Void: Embracing Emptiness, Unknowing and Waiting
Post by: Matte Downey on April 27, 2016, 11:38 AM
Abstract: In general, we are a people averse to living in a void, and yet, without longing, without emptiness, without delay, without unknowing, we are incapable of tasting the sweetness of fulfillment and togetherness. The hero journey, identified by Joseph Campbell as a basic template in storytelling, reveals that much of a good story is spent in distress and discomfort. A quick look at the stories of Martha and Mary, Job, and Abram and Sarai highlights the fact that elements of emptiness, unknowing, and waiting are present in each one's experience of God. I posit that the void is present in human experience because, in some mysterious way, it is woven into the very essence of the divine drama of the self-emptying, always-giving Trinitarian God. Emptiness is a way to make space for the other; in other words, it is an expression of hospitality.

The full paper is attached to this post.

Title: Re: The Welcome Void: Embracing Emptiness, Unknowing and Waiting
Post by: Jon Stovell on April 27, 2016, 11:46 AM
I'm looking forward to reading this in detail, @Matte Downey (https://www.vineyardscholars.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=253)!
Title: Re: The Welcome Void: Embracing Emptiness, Unknowing and Waiting
Post by: Paul Chen on May 06, 2016, 10:42 PM
Thank you for your presentation at the conference.  I look forward to reading the full text of the paper. 
Title: Re: The Welcome Void: Embracing Emptiness, Unknowing and Waiting
Post by: Lynda Burnhope on May 28, 2016, 10:56 AM
I loved your paper - do you have any articles/papers that I can share with my ladies back at home?
Title: Re: The Welcome Void: Embracing Emptiness, Unknowing and Waiting
Post by: Matte Downey on May 31, 2016, 10:27 AM
Thanks, Lyn. What kind of articles are you looking for? On a similar topic?