Rev. August Corneles Tamawiwy, M.S.T. has published a new article titled “Theopoetics: An Improper Theology” in the Indonesian Journal of Theology Vol. 12, No. 1 (2024). The article proposes theopoetics as an alternative to traditional theology. It begins by discussing the differences between “theopoetics” and “theopoetry,” explaining the poetic aspect (poiesis) that theopoetry lacks. While theopoetry uses theological language in a poetic and metaphorical manner, theopoetics explores poiesis as a reflection on the creation of meaning concerning theos, which replaces logos in theology.
Theopoetics is not “negative theology.” According to John D. Caputo, theopoetics is weak and radical theology. Unlike strong theology that actively seeks the highest episteme, as a weak theology, theopoetics emphasizes a passive and receptive mode. As a radical theology, theopoetics becomes a spirit haunting conventional theology, not subjected to any institution or authority, haunting it to its very roots (radix). By uprooting logos in theology, theopoetics emerges as an unworthy-yet-unique theology.
The article can be downloaded [here].