Creative in the Image of God

“Douglass opens up new horizons for religious formation by demonstrating how creativity shapes young adult faith. In this crisply written book, Douglass explores how the arts help young adults explore and encounter God. For churches stymied over ‘nones’ and ‘dones,’ this book is an eye-opening guide to ways in which imagination, mystery, bodies, and materiality unleash holy curiosity and create new possibilities for ministry with, by, and for young adults.”


—Kenda Creasy Dean, Princeton Theological Seminary





“Some years ago I quoted a theologian who speculated that artists and musicians have become the true theologians of our time. Creative in the Image of God puts flesh on that speculation. With evidence from first-hand research as well as thorough grounding in theological literature, it makes a strong argument that the future of American Christianity rests on rediscovering the aesthetic and embodied dimensions of religious practice.”


—Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University





“In Creative in the Image of God, Katherine Douglass offers a fresh approach to ministry with young adults and ignites imagination about the role art plays in a life of faith. Working with original research, Douglass uses young adult voices to describe how art connects them to God, others, and the past. . . . These stories ground the book and give it character, but the depth and breadth come from the way Douglass intersects her findings with theology and theory to create an aesthetic practical theology. . . . I encourage any congregation interested in reimagining ministry with young adults to read this book.”


—Terri Martinson Elton, Luther Seminary