DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to Christian reflection and practice in the visual arts. Emphasis will be on developing a Christian perspective on the arts and aesthetics that is informed by biblical, historical and theological resources and that is familiar with ways the major Christian traditions have made use of the arts. By lectures, discussions, projects and museum visits, students will engage with significant examples of art as a way of developing a critical appreciation and a Christian appropriation of this dimension of life--with respect to its value for worship and witness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through reading, viewing and discussion of images and museum visits, students will (1) understand the historical development of the arts in relation to the church, (2) see, experience and enjoy the connection between the visual arts and spirituality and worship, and (3) integrate this with their own devotional and worship practices.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: A major characteristic of the past half-century is the renewal of Christian worship on the one hand and a major advance in Christian participation in the visual arts. Christians involved in ministry will be challenged with integrating the Christian understanding of the arts and culture into the demands of ministry, especially in the context of worship and spirituality.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will include lecture and discussion that seeks to give students a basic understanding of biblical, historical and theological issues. Images and visits will present examples of great Christian art in order to develop skills of visual literacy. Class will meet weekly in three-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Dyrness, William. Visual Faith: Art, Theology and Worship in Dialogue. Baker, 2001.

Miles, Margaret. Image as Insight: Visual Understanding in Western Christianity and Secular Culture. Beacon Press, 1985; reprint by Wipf and Stock.

Rookmaaker, H. R. Modern Art and the Death of a Culture. Apollos, 1994 [orig. 1971].

Steiner, George. Real Presences: Is There Anything in What We Say? Faber, 1989.

Zelensky, Elizabeth, and Lela Gilbert. Windows to Heaven: Introducing Icons. . . . Baker/Brazos, 2004.

Course Reader.

Begbie, Jeremy. Voicing Creation's Praise: Toward a Theology of the Arts. Blackwell, 1991 (2001).

Bouchard, Margaret. A Journey Toward Christian Art. Fortress, 1999.

Evdokimov, Paul. The Art of the Icon: A Theology of Beauty. Oakwood, 1986.

Hofstadter, A. and R. Kuhns, eds. Philosophies of Art and Beauty. University of Chicago, 1976.

Rookmaaker, H. R. The Creative Gift: Essays on Art and the Christian Life. Crossways, 1981.

Scarry, Elaine. On Beauty and Being Just. Princeton, 1999.

Seerveld, Calvin. Rainbows for the Fallen World. Tuppence, 1980.

Viladescau, R. Theology & the Arts: Encountering God through Music, Art & Rhetoric. Paulist, 2000.

Walford, E. John. Great Themes in Art. Prentice-Hall, 2000.

Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Art in Action. Eerdmans, 1980.