On devotional doubt: consolation in Donald MacKinnon and Christian Wiman

Abstract

This article seeks to unpack an oscillating duality within the work of Donald MacKinnon and Christian Wiman, particularly surrounding the theme of ‘consolation’. Using Geoffrey Hill’s heuristic of neither ‘denying nor taming’ the impress of reality, I suggest the practice of attentive prayer as one route through which these concerns are mutually sustained. Moreover, I also suggest that our language of contingency, as suggested by MacKinnon and Wiman, will need to be refigured in the light of Christology.