Elizabeth S Dodd
I came to Sarum College in 2012 after completing my doctorate at Cambridge University, under the supervision of Prof. David Ford. I first joined as BA programme leader and then director of studies for the STETS ministry training course. Since 2014 I have continued with the Sarum Centre for Formation in Ministry as programme leader for the MA and tutor in doctrine and church history. I am also associate programme leader for the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, where I teach in my specialisms in literature and aesthetics.
My early published work focussed on raising the profile of the Anglican priest and poet Thomas Traherne (c.1637-1674). His metaphysical poetry, like that of George Herbert before him, represents a key moment in the development of Anglican spirituality. Traherne also provides a unique window into traditions of Christian innocence. My first monograph explains how innocence in Traherne’s work, consistent with a broader tradition of Latin Christian thought, is not confined to Eden or the enclosed garden of childhood, but is a significant aspect of experience throughout the Christian life, as part of the imitatio Christi (imitation of Christ). This project spawned two essay collections: one on Traherne in his seventeenth-century context, and one on the theme of innocence in literature and theology since the 1600s.
My current research has moved into the realm of theological aesthetics, focussed on lyric poetry and lyric theory. My next monograph will explore the lyric voice in English theology, broadening the definition of lyric from Romantic expressivist understandings of an emotional and solipsistic voice, to explore the public and performative characteristics of lyric and its contribution to English theology. Parallel to this I am working towards the development of a theological lyric theory, in dialogue with G.W.F. Hegel and Hans Urs von Balthasar, and drawing on recent developments in lyric theory.
I love teaching across the range of programmes at Sarum College and for our diverse cohorts of students, from public evening lectures (TQQ and Ventures in Faith) to our ministry programmes (doctrine modules for the BA and MA) to the MA programmes (module convenor for modules on Theological Aesthetics and Theology and FIlm).
"Excellent quality. Prepared, thoughtful, challenging delivery – Now that’s the gold standard that should be followed!" (MACAL student)
Supervisors: David Ford
Phone: 01722424825
Address: Sarum College
19 The Close
Salisbury
SP1 2EE
My early published work focussed on raising the profile of the Anglican priest and poet Thomas Traherne (c.1637-1674). His metaphysical poetry, like that of George Herbert before him, represents a key moment in the development of Anglican spirituality. Traherne also provides a unique window into traditions of Christian innocence. My first monograph explains how innocence in Traherne’s work, consistent with a broader tradition of Latin Christian thought, is not confined to Eden or the enclosed garden of childhood, but is a significant aspect of experience throughout the Christian life, as part of the imitatio Christi (imitation of Christ). This project spawned two essay collections: one on Traherne in his seventeenth-century context, and one on the theme of innocence in literature and theology since the 1600s.
My current research has moved into the realm of theological aesthetics, focussed on lyric poetry and lyric theory. My next monograph will explore the lyric voice in English theology, broadening the definition of lyric from Romantic expressivist understandings of an emotional and solipsistic voice, to explore the public and performative characteristics of lyric and its contribution to English theology. Parallel to this I am working towards the development of a theological lyric theory, in dialogue with G.W.F. Hegel and Hans Urs von Balthasar, and drawing on recent developments in lyric theory.
I love teaching across the range of programmes at Sarum College and for our diverse cohorts of students, from public evening lectures (TQQ and Ventures in Faith) to our ministry programmes (doctrine modules for the BA and MA) to the MA programmes (module convenor for modules on Theological Aesthetics and Theology and FIlm).
"Excellent quality. Prepared, thoughtful, challenging delivery – Now that’s the gold standard that should be followed!" (MACAL student)
Supervisors: David Ford
Phone: 01722424825
Address: Sarum College
19 The Close
Salisbury
SP1 2EE
less
InterestsView All (27)
Uploads
Books by Elizabeth S Dodd
"'What, then, is innocence?' The question echoes that of Augustine on time, and there are no quick and easy answers. Yet the essays in this book, as an exemplary exercise in the interdisciplinary study of literature and religion, offer a rich and challenging response to that question. Beginning with the Bible, they engage with the problem of innocence though a range of literary texts that recover or explore the scriptural and historical roots of the idea of innocence that are too often forgotten in Christian theology. Rooted in these literary texts the book is aglow with theological and imaginative insights." - David Jasper, Professor of Literature and Theology, University of Glasgow
"While the best work in theology, the arts, and the humanities has long recognized the complexity of innocence, there have been too many occasions in which the concept has been idealized, distorted or dismissed. The last of these responses has been especially common in recent years, with scholars seeming to fear that an interest in innocence might risk the accusation of academic naivety. But as this rich and insightful collection makes clear, innocence can be thought about in all sorts of fruitful ways and deserves our sustained attention. With a careful eye to matters of form, history and theology, the contributors assembled here do a wonderful job of helping us to realize why the concept of innocence has the rich history it does, and why it deserves to be thought about anew. This is an important and rewarding collection." - Mark Knight, Lancaster University
Thomas Traherne and Seventeenth-Century Thought is an interdisciplinary collection of essays that read this early modern theologian and poet in the complex intellectual currents of his time. These essays address major themes in Traherne studies such as Traherne’s doctrine of ‘Felicity’, his interpretation of the soul, his attitude to materialism, solitude and society, and his Anglicanism.
This collection comes at a pressing time in Traherne scholarship: the current publication of Traherne’s complete works by Boydell & Brewer makes a re-evaluation of his theology, philosophy and aesthetics necessary and for the first time possible. The essays in this collection draw on these recently published textual discoveries, in addition to manuscripts that have yet to be published. We aim to re-ignite discussion on settled readings of Traherne’s work; to reconsider issues in Traherne studies which have long lain dormant; and to supplement our picture of the man and his writings through new discoveries and insights.
"In this impressive study of Traherne's engagement with innocence, Dodd re-claims and re-assesses one of Traherne's most important theological, aesthetic, and philosophical ideas. Simply stated, this book is necessary." (Jacob Blevins, McNeese State University, USA)
The seventeenth-century poet and divine Thomas Traherne finds innocence in every stage of existence. He finds it in the chaos at the origins of creation as well as in the blessed order of Eden. He finds it in the activities of grace and the hope of glory, but also in the trials of misery and even in the abyss of the Fall. Boundless Innocence in Thomas Traherne’s Poetic Theology traces innocence through Traherne’s works as it transgresses the boundaries of the estates of the soul. Using grammatical and literary categories it explores various aspects of his poetic theology of innocence, uncovering the boundless desire which is embodied in the yearning cry: ’Were all Men Wise and Innocent…’ Recovering and reinterpreting a key but increasingly neglected theme in Traherne’s poetic theology, this book addresses fundamental misconceptions of the meaning of innocence in his work. Through a contextual and theological approach, it indicates the unexplored richness, complexity and diversity of this theme in the history of literature and theology.
Articles by Elizabeth S Dodd
Talks by Elizabeth S Dodd
Like George Herbert, Thomas Traherne was a poet of the spiritual affections, teaching his congregation to love better. Like RS Thomas, his was a voice from the edge.
This study day will hear from a range of voices on this seventeenth-century poet, mystic and Anglican priest. This will include a talk by Beth Dodd who has written a book on Thomas Traherne’s Poetic Theology. We will also hear from Patrick Moore, scholar in residence at Sarum College with a lifelong love of Traherne. Finally, there will be a musical response to Traherne: a jazz setting of Traherne’s poetry. Composer and Baptist minister Ewan King was commissioned to create this liturgy by the bishop of London, which has been performed in Hereford Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral.
"'What, then, is innocence?' The question echoes that of Augustine on time, and there are no quick and easy answers. Yet the essays in this book, as an exemplary exercise in the interdisciplinary study of literature and religion, offer a rich and challenging response to that question. Beginning with the Bible, they engage with the problem of innocence though a range of literary texts that recover or explore the scriptural and historical roots of the idea of innocence that are too often forgotten in Christian theology. Rooted in these literary texts the book is aglow with theological and imaginative insights." - David Jasper, Professor of Literature and Theology, University of Glasgow
"While the best work in theology, the arts, and the humanities has long recognized the complexity of innocence, there have been too many occasions in which the concept has been idealized, distorted or dismissed. The last of these responses has been especially common in recent years, with scholars seeming to fear that an interest in innocence might risk the accusation of academic naivety. But as this rich and insightful collection makes clear, innocence can be thought about in all sorts of fruitful ways and deserves our sustained attention. With a careful eye to matters of form, history and theology, the contributors assembled here do a wonderful job of helping us to realize why the concept of innocence has the rich history it does, and why it deserves to be thought about anew. This is an important and rewarding collection." - Mark Knight, Lancaster University
Thomas Traherne and Seventeenth-Century Thought is an interdisciplinary collection of essays that read this early modern theologian and poet in the complex intellectual currents of his time. These essays address major themes in Traherne studies such as Traherne’s doctrine of ‘Felicity’, his interpretation of the soul, his attitude to materialism, solitude and society, and his Anglicanism.
This collection comes at a pressing time in Traherne scholarship: the current publication of Traherne’s complete works by Boydell & Brewer makes a re-evaluation of his theology, philosophy and aesthetics necessary and for the first time possible. The essays in this collection draw on these recently published textual discoveries, in addition to manuscripts that have yet to be published. We aim to re-ignite discussion on settled readings of Traherne’s work; to reconsider issues in Traherne studies which have long lain dormant; and to supplement our picture of the man and his writings through new discoveries and insights.
"In this impressive study of Traherne's engagement with innocence, Dodd re-claims and re-assesses one of Traherne's most important theological, aesthetic, and philosophical ideas. Simply stated, this book is necessary." (Jacob Blevins, McNeese State University, USA)
The seventeenth-century poet and divine Thomas Traherne finds innocence in every stage of existence. He finds it in the chaos at the origins of creation as well as in the blessed order of Eden. He finds it in the activities of grace and the hope of glory, but also in the trials of misery and even in the abyss of the Fall. Boundless Innocence in Thomas Traherne’s Poetic Theology traces innocence through Traherne’s works as it transgresses the boundaries of the estates of the soul. Using grammatical and literary categories it explores various aspects of his poetic theology of innocence, uncovering the boundless desire which is embodied in the yearning cry: ’Were all Men Wise and Innocent…’ Recovering and reinterpreting a key but increasingly neglected theme in Traherne’s poetic theology, this book addresses fundamental misconceptions of the meaning of innocence in his work. Through a contextual and theological approach, it indicates the unexplored richness, complexity and diversity of this theme in the history of literature and theology.
Like George Herbert, Thomas Traherne was a poet of the spiritual affections, teaching his congregation to love better. Like RS Thomas, his was a voice from the edge.
This study day will hear from a range of voices on this seventeenth-century poet, mystic and Anglican priest. This will include a talk by Beth Dodd who has written a book on Thomas Traherne’s Poetic Theology. We will also hear from Patrick Moore, scholar in residence at Sarum College with a lifelong love of Traherne. Finally, there will be a musical response to Traherne: a jazz setting of Traherne’s poetry. Composer and Baptist minister Ewan King was commissioned to create this liturgy by the bishop of London, which has been performed in Hereford Cathedral and St Paul’s Cathedral.