The transformative vision: Public witness and the poiesis of Christian social transformation

Abstract

With reference to social science research and the work of David Bosch and Max Stackhouse, this article argues that the energy for Christian communities to act in socially transformative ways is strengthened and enhanced by attending to poiesis. The concept poiesis is explored in the light of social science research on effective social movements and this is related to the Christian practice of liturgy. Liturgy is used as a broad heuristic concept that represents the creative and imaginative energy of Christian faith in its gathered communities, its telling of inspiring and transformative stories, and its engagement of its context with a vision for a better world. There is a need to enhance the hermeneutic cycle of “see–judge–act” with the inspiring vision of poiesis that will move Christian communities to action for social change.