The Psychology of Creativity



Creativity, the ability to produce or develop original work, theories, techniques, or thoughts as defined by Oxford dictionary, has become a common term in our generation associated with unique compositions, pieces of art and media. The current understanding of the word creativity in this generation has been made to include “that which is new or without a previous instance”. As you can see we have slowly added a new meaning to the word creative. In the original definition of the word creative we see that In order for there to be creativity the individual has to exhibit not only originality but also a capacity of production.

Let's begin by analyzing the first word, "originality." Defined as the ability to think independently, this would imply that an individual desiring to exhibit originality must prove that they have not been influenced or predisposed to their current state of thought before creating their piece. Their previous state would have had to be neutral, devoid of any desires for good or bad, morally inconsequential, so that their current state can be defined as the genesis of their actions. If this action were influenced by a previous state that was not neutral, then it would have been impossible for the individual to think independently, as they would have already been coerced towards one direction or another.

The problem with attempting to exhibit originality lies in the fact that, by definition, we cannot achieve true originality because we cannot think independently. Since birth, our minds have been compromised and altered by the environment, relationships, music, and movies around us. In place of this lost originality, we default to creating false states of originality. This is exemplified by people calling the latest pieces of art "original," forgetting the warped state of mind that this generation and all those before it were born into. This clearly shows that it is impossible to obtain true creativity through secular originality; true creativity can only be obtained through Jesus. In the word of God, we see a cleansing of our hearts, minds, and souls from our previous compromised state. Ephesians 2:22-24 states, "You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before... But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person." Here, God points out our natural state of being, which is compromised by the evil things we want to do, leading to certain doom. As we continue reading, we see God making us truly good and holy, living in the state in which God designed us, uncompromised by the world. Only in this state can we obtain true creativity, as we will be able to exhibit originality, uninfluenced or warped by the world.

Now, let's discuss the second definition of creativity: a capacity for original, uncompelled production. The capacity for production is driven by motivation, will, and morality. The problem that arises with secular creative capacity for production is that it is bound to the ability to have free will— the freedom to do anything, write any kind of song, draw any piece of art in any style at any time. However, earlier, we discussed how man has no capacity to obtain free will because of our inherent nature— dead to sin. Let's pause for a moment and imagine that, by some supernatural wilding, man has free will and was never influenced by any factors in his life. This would mean that he has no predisposition to good or evil; he is neutral and unbiased. He would have no moral motivation or will since he does not need to do anything. He would have completely lost his ability for production and wouldn't be aware of its absence. To him, there is no reason to work; there is no reason to write a song, draw art, act, or dance because he does not have any moral ramifications. Without moral consequence, man is left paralyzed, with no need to make a choice.

In our society, the desire for free will is pervasive. Often, this freedom is understood as the ability to do what I want, how I want to do it. Unfortunately, many creatives have adopted this mindset as the source of their independence and originality. However, this path comes with well-known repercussions. Creativity defined by this form of originality has a limited lifespan, mirroring the fate of the individual who exhibits it. True freedom and eternal life are found only in Christ.

Examining John 8:34-36, Jesus elucidates the bondage experienced by those who succumb to worldly pleasures and desires. He contrasts the slave, with no permanent place in the family, to the son, who belongs to the family forever. Those not in Christ remain oblivious to their bondage, dead to sin. Christ's teachings reveal the precarious nature of worldly freedom, contingent on performance and capability. If one's abilities diminish, they risk exile, akin to a slave being replaced. Pursuing creativity in the world inevitably leads to perilous situations. Despite producing new, innovative, and original work, if it fails to meet societal expectations, ridicule ensues. This can result in online criticism, career stagnation, and fractured relationships, as evidenced by the experiences of celebrities and artists, sometimes tragically leading to suicide. True creativity, however, does not stem from worldly sources. Jesus offers liberation from dependence on the world, promising the totality of freedom.