In this final seminar we review the journey so far and explore how pyrotheology fits. In particular I look at the practice of pyrotheology in contrast to conservative and liberal expressions of liturgy and explore what it means to be part of a 'community of the contradiction'. I also touch on a radical understanding of negative theology where God is not viewed as the other who is unknown, but the name we give to the unknown dimension of reality itself.


Allone is a short film that is directed by Helen Rollins and set in pre-Christian Ireland, that is inspired by an ancient Buddhist parable. The story is one that I have told many times over the years. It captures so powerfully and succinctly much of what I explore in Pyrotheology.

Recently we set about getting this story made into a short film and this is the result.

supplemental reflection

I’d just like to comment briefly on the title of the short film. I wanted to find a word that captured three meanings simultaneously, and because no word existed, I had to make one up. The word ‘Allone’ is a portmanteau that blends the following,

• Alone

• All Alone

• All One

This reflects the journey of the film itself. The woman is struggling with a profound loss, and feels isolated. Over time she discovers that everyone has suffered loss. Finally she realizes that we are all unified in our aloneness. It is this movement that captures something of the Cure in pyrotheology. Where we find ourselves connected to the other by acknowledging how our own lack is reflected in the other and shared by the other.

supplemental material

I’ve included a short video where I tell the story and reflect briefly on it. In addition to this, I’ve provided a link to another short film that is also directed by Helen called Making Love. Making Love and Allone are being combined with a third film called Jamaica, to create a trilogy of short films that explore our confrontation with the ‘Gaze’ (a concept that I talked about in the seminar that introduced this week). I’ve also included A Guide to Making Love (a commentary where I explore the themes of Making Love) and a link to a page that describes more about the wider project.

Katharine Sarah Moody is an academic who has engaged in deep and critical reflection on the work of Pyrotheology. In her excellent book Radical Theology and Emerging Christianity, she does this through an in-depth analysis of Radical Theology in relation to the Emerging Church Movement. In that book she not only offered insights into the theory of Pyrotheology, but observed, participated in, and reflected on, its practice in Ikon. As part of her critical reflection, she outlined two ikon services. What you are about to read was an event that took place at the Wake festival in Belfast, N.Ireland.

SUPPLEMENTAL REFLECTION

Pyrotheology is not simply a theoretical outlook, but also a practice. A practice that is divided into two elements: Transformance Art and Decentering Practices (of which AfL is one). I’ve included this description of an Ikon gathering to give you a sense of what a Transformance Art looks like in practice. Ikon took place once a month, and the actual gatherings were always unique; involving different locations, rituals, art and music. But they were all designed to help invite people into an experience of Pyrotheology.

In the enclosed reading, I recommend you pay close attention to how the idea of lack is symbolized in the service and how affirmation functions in the service

supplemental material

I’ve enclosed a second gathering that Moody wrote about in her book, as well as a link to the book itself. I’ve also included a link to my first book, as it describes a series of Transformance Art events in the second half.

Pádraig Ó Tuama is a world renowned poet, musician and public theologian who works in the area of conflict mediation and group dialogue. While known for being team leader of Corrymeela Community, for his work in advocacy across the world, as the founder of Tenx9 and for his regular appearances on Krista Tippett’s “On Being,” he was also one of the key contributors to ikon and key people in the development of pyrotheology. 

His latest book is In the Shelter, and he has an album of music and poetry called Hymns to Swear by.

I’ve included this song (from Hymns to Swear by), because it represents a powerful musical example of the dialectic process I spoke of on the first day. Pádraig has written a piece of music that goes into the heart of questioning, struggle and anger, but in a way that sublimates them in the expression of a wider, deeper and richer expression of faith.

SUPPLEMENTAL REFLECTION

In many ways this song provides a powerful lyrical expression of a theme that has come up various times during this journey. It expresses a type of dialectic movement between two opposite positions, both of which are united in a deeper affirmation. For this song - which directly quotes from the book of Jeremiah - beautifully expresses the wrestling of someone caught up in what they question.

If we recall the words of Augustine when he wrote, ‘what do I love when I love my God’, we might say this this song reflects an individual who is asking ‘why do I love the God that I love’? It is a truly powerful hymn that reflects on the struggle of faith and the way that this struggle lies at the very heart of faith.

supplemental material

I’ve included a link to where you can listen to, and download, the album Hymns to Swear By. I’ve also included a link to some of Pádraig’s books.

Pádraig Ó Tuama was an active participant in the ikon collective and wrote many poems, songs and benedictions for the Transformance Art events. The following is a beautiful benediction that plays on the closing words of Catholic liturgy, "Go in peace". This benediction captures something of the journey we've been on in Atheism for Lent, and offers a perfect way to mark the end. Or, more appropriately, a new beginning.

SUPPLEMENTAL REFLECTION

The Catholic Church ends her services with the benediction ‘Go in Peace’. This poem by Ó Tuama was written as a closing benediction for Ikon. As you listen, you’ll hear how it affirms the fragmented nature of our existence. As such, I can think of no better way to end this journey.

supplemental material

I’ve enclosed a link to an EP Jonny McEwan created during our Insurrection tour. The tour itself involved Jonny, Pádraig and myself going around the US with an event that mixed music, art and speaking to create an experience of Transformance Art. The EP includes material from the tour. I’ve also included a text of the benediction.