Back in one of the Covid lockdowns here in the UK I was watching a TV programme about the great German designer Dieter Rams - look him up - and his 10 principles of good design. As an engineer turned theologian I had a “lightbulb” moment; Rams ideas had set the pattern for the design of so many things we use today, including inspiring the approach that gave rise to the iPad I am writing this on! Anything can be designed well if the designer/s follow the principles as a means of guiding their approach.
What about theology? Can we “design” intuitive, attractive, helpful theology that improves peoples’ lives? It was worth a thought experiment and a bit of fun! Having sketched out my “manifesto” of well designed theology I shared it with some colleagues and my local church bishops. I got a response and friendly challenge about “Your Bauhaus theology… which I don’t like one bit” (delivered with a wink type grin).
Bauhaus. That iconic movement that flowered in post First World War Germany and again in the successor post World War Two wave of design (which included Dieter Rams and others of his generation). Their mission, to create a built environment and domestic/artistic space that was truly humane and valuable to all people. Almost everything we use in our homes and any of those homes owe a debt to the “Bauhaus” movement. To me this was a “bingo”moment. A chance to work up my cheeky little paper into something a bit more substantial, any maybe convince some folk, including the odd bishop here and there that good theology can be designed and that to have a good process beside the theologians knowledge can help in developing theological responses to the very human needs and challenges of our day. from “social media” to “Covid19”, not to mention the ecological crisis, I believe there is merit in running this new approach around the block a few times. So here goes….
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