Catherine Keller's Theology of Creation in On the Mystery
This paper analyzes Chapter 3 of Catherine Keller's On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Progress, focusing on her postmodern, feminist, and ecological reinterpretation of the Genesis creation narrative. The paper examines Keller's central metaphor of the fish moving with the flow of water, her reclamation of Genesis for progressive theology, her exploration of darkness as creative rather than evil, and her connections between scripture and modern astrophysics. The paper also evaluates limitations in Keller's approach, including its ahistorical character and reliance on English translation, while affirming her broader argument that faith and science need not be mutually exclusive.
- Introduction: Creation as Living and Dynamic: Keller's fish metaphor and ecological vision of creation
- Reclaiming Genesis for Progressive Theology: Genesis reread beyond fundamentalism and scientism
- Postmodern Possibilities and Pantheist Readings: Multiple interpretations and pantheist potential in scripture
- Scripture and Modern Astrophysics: Connections between dark energy and biblical darkness
- Reclaiming Darkness as Creative Potential: Darkness as creative force, not absence of God
- Limitations and Strengths of Keller's Approach: Ahistorical method balanced against theological value
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a single, consistent central metaphor — the fish moving with the current — to thread together multiple theological arguments, giving the analysis cohesion.
- It balances exposition of Keller's ideas with brief critical evaluation, noting the ahistorical character of her method without dismissing her contribution.
- Direct quotations from Keller are well-chosen and purposefully integrated, supporting rather than replacing the student's own analytical voice.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates close reading of a primary theological text, identifying recurring themes (multiplicity, ecological interconnection, reclamation of marginalized symbols) and linking them to Keller's broader postmodern framework. The student shows the ability to distinguish between descriptive summary and interpretive analysis, offering judgment on both the strengths and the methodological constraints of Keller's approach.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens by establishing Keller's governing metaphor and ecological worldview, then moves through her treatment of Genesis, postmodern interpretation, connections with astrophysics, and the reclamation of darkness. It closes with a balanced critical assessment of the method's limitations alongside its theological value. The argument flows logically from introduction of core ideas to evaluation.
Introduction: Creation as Living and Dynamic
Catherine Keller's On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Progress envisions creation as a living, dynamic reality rather than something static and unchanging. The central metaphor governing Chapter 3 of her book is that of the fish: a fish constantly moves with the ebbs and flows of the water around it and, instead of drowning or being swallowed up by the currents of change, it is able to press forward. The fish also supports Keller's ecological view of the universe. Keller stresses the need for human beings to see themselves as part of the universe rather than as dominators of it.
Keller finds particular inspiration in the ambiguous, bi-gendered vision of the divine presented in the first creation myth of Genesis, as opposed to the second myth, which portrays a more anthropocentric God and a more rigid gender hierarchy.1
Bibliography
Keller, Catherine. On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Progress. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.