The Artisan Soul

Erwin Raphael McManus discusses creativity & his new book, The Artisan Soul at the Undergraduate Chapel on Sept. 19, 2014.

In The Artisan Soul, Erwin Raphael McManus, author, thought leader, and founder of MOSAIC in Los Angeles, pens a manifesto for human creativity and the beginning of a new renaissance. McManus not only calls us to reclaim our creative essence, but reveals how we can craft our lives into a work of art.  There are no shortcuts to quality, and McManus celebrates the spiritual process that can help us discover our true selves. McManus demonstrates that we all carry within us the essence of an artist.  We all need to create, to be a part of a process that brings to the world something beautiful, good, and true, in order to allow our souls to come to life.  It's not only the quality of the ingredients we use to build our lives that matter, but the care we bring to the process itself.  Just like baking artisan bread, it's a process that's crafted over time.  And God has something to say about how we craft our lives.  With poignant, inspirational stories and insights from art, life, history, and scripture interspersed throughout, McManus walks readers through the process of crafting a life of beauty and wonder.

Erwin Raphael McManus is an iconoclast known as a cultural pioneer for his integration of creativity and spirituality. He is an artist, entrepreneur, and cultural thought leader who is also the founder of MOSAIC, a community of faith in Los Angeles, California. Known for their innovation, creativity, and artistry, MOSAIC has been named one of the most influential and innovative churches in America. Engaging such issues as culture, creativity, change, and leadership, Erwin is widely known as a thought-provoking communicator, poet, and wordsmith. His travels have taken him to over 50 countries and he has spoken to over a million people from a wide variety of audiences, from professional sports, Wall Street investors, universities, film studios, and conferences across the world. 

McManus is the author of Soul Cravings, Chasing Daylight, and other leading books on spirituality and creativity. His newest book, The Artisan Soul: Crafting your Life into a Work of Art, was released in 2014. In this latest book, Erwin Raphael McManus sees our imagination as the principle vehicle through which we create a better self, a better world, and a better future. He argues that creativity is both uniquely human and the essence of human uniqueness. Creativity, McManus contends, is a natural expression of our spirituality. When we are most fully alive, we create out of love all that is good and beautiful and true. McManus has a BA in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Southeastern University.
Mosaic Church Website: http://mosaic.org
Website: http://www.erwinmcmanus.com