Pope Francis
Master of Imaginative Discernment through Storytelling, Metaphors, and Symbols
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3520048 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Young Hoon Kim (0000-0002-3883-0056, Sogang University, corresponding author), Paul Rolphy Pinto (Pontifical Gregorian University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pages | 1160 |
| Publication date | 2023-09-11 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel14091160 |
| OpenAlex | W4386617666 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 5 |
This paper attempts to deal with an essential dimension of the process of discernment as Francis develops it, namely, the narrative. The paper treats the imaginative discernment exemplified in his use of storytelling, metaphors, and symbols to open a creative forum for discerning sacred truths in our personal lives. To justify the appropriateness of Francis's use of imagination in discernment, the first part of the paper analyzes Ignatius's use of the imagination, especially in the Rules for Discernment of Spirits. The second and lengthier part of the paper turns to Pope Francis's skilled narrative use of metaphors and symbols. He adopts the Ignatian imaginative style with metaphors that appeal to contemporary seekers. The various metaphorical twists that he incorporates into this experience have a privileged place in his spiritual pedagogy of accompanying, discerning, and walking together with people during difficult times. The metaphorical style of Ignatius and Francis allows for a comprehensive understanding of the role that imagination can play in the discernment of spirits. Besides enriching our understanding of discernment, this style can facilitate a Christian spirituality that enhances the search for and discovery of meaning within our contemporary lives
Aesthetics · Art · Discernment · Epistemology · Linguistics · Literature · Narrative · Sociology · Storytelling · Media, Religion, Digital Communication · Pentecostalism and Christianity Studies · Philosophy · Psychology · Religious, Philosophical, and Educational Studies
| Highly cited | No |
|---|