Thy will be done. DOING Theology THROUGH Diffractive Methodology by Elisabeth Laasonen Belgrano

The overall purpose of this thesis is to perform and propose diffractive methodology as a means for exploring, reading, learning, and understanding systematic theological discourses beyond binary and oppositional thinking. This methodology is based on performative strategies and feminist new materialist theory, with a specific focus on Karen Barad’s ethico-onto-epistemological agential realism theory; it can also be considered an alternative to a more traditional academic reflexive methodological approach, thus allowing for an infinite number of explorative methods to be developed within its umbrella definition of diffractive methodology. The diffractive analysis in this study is shaped as an intra-active entangled reading of Graham Ward’s Engaged Theology, through Erika Fischer-Lichte’s Performance Aesthetics, and the method I call Voicing-as-Performative-Theology. This thesis is divided into three parts. Part I unfolds relevant terminology. Part II performs the actual diffractive reading analysis. Part III consists of a concluding essay summarizing the outcome of this study’s diffractive reading, as well as opening up suggestions for how diffractive methodology can be applied for developing more performative and diffractive methods as part of future theological research. The thesis will be presented at University College Stockholm (EHS), in January 8 2024.

Beginning...

... in 2007 - as a doctoral student in Performance at University of Gothenburg, Sweden - when I attended a script writing Master Class with film director Sally Potter in London.

She said something like: "Don't wait for being ready. Don't wait for having the right tools, the right equipment or the perfect set. Just Do. And I began doing, withough hesitating....

I began entering doors to the UNKNOWN, and further on into NOTHING.

All trough a(n e)motional state of WONDER...

And some may now wonder how tango, creation, and divinity are becoming means for a theological discourse. So, then let me tell that there are many connections. Perhaps any number...

For me it was about entering. About taking steps. Together. Weaving legs and bodypart together. Assembling and dividing. About finding space. About finding ground. About seeing new possibilities. About passion. Suffering. Love. About being open. About following the desire of a heart. About trusting..

Potter's Tango Lessons serves all these flavours. And I began to move.

Lobby

Part II

Part III

References

(Potter, S. The Tango Lesson, 1997)

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