Spirit and beauty : an introduction to theological aesthetics / Patrick Sherry.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sherry, Patrick.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Aesthetics--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Aesthetics.

Holy Spirit.

Physical Description:

vii, 184 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

London : SCM, 2002.

Summary:

Many Christian theologians have associated beauty, both in nature and art. with the Holy Spirit. They include early Fathers like St Irenaeus and St Clement of Alexandria, and later writers like Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Sergius Bulgakov, and Hans Urs von Balthasar. This book investigates what they said and why. In doing so, it also serves as an introduction to the whole area of theological aesthetics. Besides exploring the connection made between the Holy Spirit and beauty, it ranges more widely by considering topics such as divine glory, inspiration, and the eschatological character of beauty. Its discussions bring together two areas of lively interest in contemporary Christianity: the theology of the Holy Spirit and theological aesthetics. Originally published in 1992, but out of print for several years. Spirit and Beauty is now re-issued with substantial new material and for the first time in paperback at a price that individual readers can afford. In expanded and updated form it will be mandatory reading for all serious students of theology, culture, and the arts.

Contents:

1. Introduction: The Holy Spirit and Aesthetics 1

A Glance at History 4

The Dog that didn't Bark 17

Some Modern Problems 21

2. Types of Beauty 28

The Variety of Beauty 29

Beauty and Analogy 36

Some Other Aesthetic Concepts 40

Objectivity and Standards 43

The Moral and Religious Significance of Beauty 49

3. God's Beauty 53

God's Beauty: The Sources 55

Reasons for Ascribing Beauty to God 62

The One God and the Trinity 71

4. The Holy Spirit in the Trinity 77

The Holy Spirit and Beauty 78

Trinitarian Approaches 82

East versus West 90

5. Inspiration and Imagination 100

The Nature of Inspiration 101

Widening the Concept 106

Imagination and Inspiration 109

Inspiration and Explanation 114

6. Reflections of Divine Beauty 121

Reflections, Likenesses, and Other Relations 122

Likeness to God 128

A Minimal Solution 137

7. Anticipating the Final Transfiguration of Things 142

The Holy Spirit, Transfiguration, and Glory 144

Beauty and Sanctity as First-Fruits 150

The Life to Come 154

Retrospect 161

Openness to the Spirit 164.

Notes:

Previous ed.: Oxford : Clarendon, 1992.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0334028655

OCLC:

49350907