Lament in the aesthetic
CITATION: Mahokoto, M. S. 2019. Lament in the aesthetic. Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 5(2):307-324, doi:10.17570/stj.Supp.%202019.v5n2.a16.
The original publication is available at https://ojs.reformedjournals.co.za/stj
Article
The aim of this essay is to look at the function of lament in the aesthetic. The concept of lament cannot be looked at in isolation because what we experience emotionally influences our life in all its facets. Our understanding of the language of hope and lament is quite crucial when we look at lament in the aesthetic. This essay will also go into conversation with some of the work of Johan Cilliers to show how he has argued that the layered and complex beauty of God can be seen, even within lament in the aesthetic. Attention will also be given to the language of hope and lament and how it could function in the aesthetics. Furthermore, I will also argue that an aesthetical practical theology could provide us with an important tool to approach the layered and complex beauty of God. In this essay illustrations will be used to depict the complexity and layers of God’s beauty.