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This study is an important contribution to the intellectual history of Victorian England which examines the religio-aesthetic theories of some central writers of the time. Dr Fraser begins with a discussion of the aesthetic dimensions of Tractarian theology and then proceeds to the orthodox certainties of Hopkins' theory of inscape, Ruskin's and Arnold's moralistic criticism of literature and the visual arts, and Pater's and Wilde's faith in a religion of art. The author identifies significant cultural and historical conditions which determined the interdependence of aesthetic and religious sensibility in the period. She argues that certain tensions in the thought of Wordsworth and Coleridge - tensions between poetry and religion, rebellion and reaction, individualism and authority - continued to manifest themselves throughout the Victorian age, and as society became increasingly democratic, religion in turn became increasingly personal and secular.
What once drove men to construct enormous abbeys and cathedrals, with gargoyles, rounded arches, rose windows, dark recesses, and flying buttresses? In the modern imagination, these structures are believed to tell a series of stories about the meaning of life, but this anachronism would have astounded their medieval creators. As he explores two of the finest churches of this period – the Abbey of Mont St-Michel on the Normandy coast, and soaring Chartres Cathedral in the fields of the Loire Valley – author Jon Sweeney comes to the conclusion that, without faith, they make no sense at all. But within a life of faith, the universe that includes them is marvelous, beautiful, mysterious, and tapped into something that secularism cannot fathom. This luminous series of reflections hinges on seven words of Gothic spirituality — space, sanctuary, stone, light, darkness, gargoyles, and flight — and shows us that beauty is not just for admiring, but a key to believing, and reveals how the vision of our medieval forebears can refresh and inspire our faith today.
'Aesthetics' and 'theological aesthetics' usually imply a focus on questions about the arts and how faith or religion relates to the arts; only the final pages of this work take up that problem. The central theme of this book is that of beauty. Farley employs a new typology of western texts on beauty and a theological analysis of the image of God and redemption to counter the centuries-long tendency to ignore or marginalize beauty and the aesthetic as part of the life of faith. Studying the interpretation of beauty in ancient Greece, eighteenth-century England, the work of Jonathan Edwards, and nineteenth and twentieth-century philosophies of human self-transcendence, the author explores whether Christian existence, the life of faith, and the ethical exclude or require an aesthetic dimension in the sense of beauty. The work will be of particular interest to those interested in Christian theology, ethics, and religion and the arts.
The bestselling classic that redefined our view of the relationship between beauty and female identity. In today's world, women have more power, legal recognition, and professional success than ever before. Alongside the evident progress of the women's movement, however, writer and journalist Naomi Wolf is troubled by a different kind of social control, which, she argues, may prove just as restrictive as the traditional image of homemaker and wife. It's the beauty myth, an obsession with physical perfection that traps the modern woman in an endless spiral of hope, self-consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfill society's impossible definition of "the flawless beauty."
This study is focused on the interaction of material and symbolic values ascribed to sacred trees in India and expressed in 3,000 years of ritual practice. Point of departure is the contemporary trend of mining religious narratives in order to mobilise environmental awareness.
“A brilliant, wide ranging and powerful series of readings on the possibilities, problems and mysteries of faith. This book belongs on the shelf of every believer—and every serious skeptic.” — Rabbi David Wolpe, author of Why Faith Matters “This life-giving, faith-filled and hard-nosed collection reveals why, as St. Anselm wrote, true faith always seeks to understand.” — Rev. James Martin, author of My Life with the Saints From Dr. Francis Collins, New York Times bestselling author of The Language of God, comes the definitive reader on the rationality of faith.
The Pursuit of Belief - Christian Classics Collection encapsulates an extraordinary confluence of theological inquiry, philosophical meditation, and literary artistry. This anthology traverses a vast temporal landscape, from the patristic period to the threshold of the contemporary, gathering a multitude of voices that have shaped Christian thought and the broader cultural legacy of humanity. It juxtaposes the divine comedy of Dante Alighieri with the existential musings of Friedrich Nietzsche, the transcendental reflections of Ralph Waldo Emerson with the spiritual allegories of John Bunyan, and the mystic insights of St. Teresa of Ávila with the practical Christianity of Charles M. Sheldon, showcasing an unparalleled range of literary styles and theological perspectives. The collection stands as a testimony to the enduring dialogue between faith and reason, individual belief and societal norms. The contributing authors and editors, drawn from varied epochs and geographies, reflect a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. Figures like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Leo Tolstoy stand alongside St. Augustine and Martin Luther, exemplifying the anthologys alignment with significant historical and literary movements. This diversity not only illuminates the multifaceted nature of Christian thought but also demonstrates how these varied voices contribute to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the anthologys central themes. Such an assemblage encourages readers to discern the intricate relationships between faith, culture, and personal conviction across different periods and places. The Pursuit of Belief - Christian Classics Collection is an indispensable volume for those interested in the intersection of faith, literature, and philosophy. It offers readers the unique opportunity to engage with a wide array of perspectives and themes, encouraging a comprehensive exploration of Christian belief as both a personal journey and a collective experience. This anthology is not merely a scholarly endeavor but a voyage through time and thought, inviting readers to ponder profound questions and explore the myriad ways in which the pursuit of belief shapes our understanding of the world and ourselves. As such, it is highly recommended for students, scholars, and anyone with a keen interest in the historical and philosophical dimensions of faith.