The Disincarnate Text: Ritual Poetics in Herbert, Paul, Williams, and Levinas. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Matthew
• Other Names: Smith Matthew J. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Christianity and literature. Volume 66:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: sacrament -- disincarnate -- incarnation -- Eucharist -- George Herbert; Christianity and literature -- Periodicals; Literature -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; 809.933823
• DOI: 10.1177/0148333117703987
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-3331

Abstract

This Introduction to a special issue on "The Sacramental Text Reconsidered" provides a brief genealogy of the practice of describing texts, performances, and poetics as sacramental, eucharistic, and incarnational. It also offers a critique and clarification of such reading practices by differentiating between the real divine presence theologically understood to dwell in a proper sacrament and the "disincarnation" enacted by sacramentally laden literary texts and performances. Drawing on the writings of Emmanuel Levinas, Rowan Williams, and St. Paul, I demonstrate the disincarnate as a poetic of ritual and oblation in an extended reading of Herbert's poetry.