Alison Searle Books

Exploring the intersection of biblical texts and imagination, this book presents a theory that redefines creativity and interpretation through a theological lens. It emphasizes the scriptural understanding of imagination as linked to the heart, particularly in Ephesians 1:18. By analyzing the overarching narratives and genres of the Bible, it challenges post-Romantic views and employs a Calvinistic hermeneutic. The study includes close readings of key texts by authors like John Bunyan and C. S. Lewis, culminating in a comprehensive definition of "imagining biblically" and its relevance to literary studies.

This Element allows pastoral letters to be analysed as a distinct literary genre that contributed in complex ways to early modern practices of caregiving, negotiating political oppression, geographical isolation, and colonial experimentation.