Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art

Walking on Water is a collection of essays examining the intersection of art, faith and creativity through L'Engle's lens as both an artist and a Christian. The author draws from her experiences as a writer and teacher to explore how the creative process connects to spiritual practice. L'Engle challenges conventional divisions between sacred and secular art, arguing instead for an understanding of creativity as fundamentally spiritual work. She shares stories from her own creative journey while incorporating insights from literature, science, theology and philosophy. The book moves between practical observations about the craft of writing and broader meditations on beauty, truth, and meaning in art. Through examples ranging from Bach to modern painters, L'Engle demonstrates how artists of all kinds engage with transcendent mysteries through their work. The essays present art as a bridge between the divine and human realms, suggesting that authentic creative expression requires both discipline and surrender. The text explores how artists can serve as channels for truth that exists beyond themselves while maintaining their individual voice and vision.

Readers appreciate L'Engle's honest exploration of creativity's connection to faith, with many noting her accessible writing style and personal anecdotes. Multiple reviewers mention how the book helped them reconcile their artistic pursuits with their spiritual beliefs. Readers highlight her insights on viewing art as a form of prayer and service, with several pointing to her discussion of "serving the work" as transformative for their creative process. Common criticisms include L'Engle's tendency to meander between topics and her occasional repetitiveness. Some readers found her Christian perspective too dominant, while others wanted more concrete advice about the creative process. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (400+ ratings) "Reading this felt like having a conversation with a wise mentor" - Goodreads reviewer "The religious elements overshadow the artistic discussion" - Amazon reviewer "Her rambling style made it hard to follow her main points" - Goodreads reviewer

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Mystery and Manners by Flannery O'Connor. The book presents insights on the relationship between faith and fiction writing from a Catholic perspective.

🌟 Though best known for "A Wrinkle in Time," Madeleine L'Engle wrote "Walking on Water" during her 40-year tenure as librarian and writer-in-residence at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine. 🎨 The book emerged from L'Engle's experiences teaching a course called "The Christian Artist in the Contemporary World" at College of the Holy Child. ✝️ L'Engle challenges the notion of "Christian art," arguing that all true art is inherently spiritual, regardless of the artist's stated beliefs or religious affiliation. 📖 The title "Walking on Water" refers to Peter's act of faith in the Gospel of Matthew, which L'Engle uses as a metaphor for the creative process - stepping out into the unknown with trust. 🌊 Throughout the book, L'Engle weaves together insights from quantum physics, theology, and literature, demonstrating her signature style of bridging science and spirituality in understanding creativity.