The Beauty of the Lord: Theology as Aesthetics

by Jonathan King, Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Foreword by)

Overview

Why is God's beauty often absent from our theology?

Rarely do theologians take up the theme of God's beauty-even more rarely do they consider how God's beauty should shape the task of theology itself. But the psalmist says that the heart of the believer's desire is to behold the beauty of the Lord.

In The Beauty of the Lord, Jonathan King restores aesthetics as not merely a valid lens for theological reflection, but an essential one. Jesus, our incarnate Redeemer, displays the Triune God's beauty in his actions and person, from creation to final consummation. How can and should theology better reflect this unveiled beauty?

The Beauty of the Lord is a renewal of a truly aesthetic theology and a properly theological aesthetics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683590583
Publisher:	Lexham Press
Publication date:	05/30/2018
Series:	Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jonathan King (Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is a lecturer in Faculty of Liberal Arts at the Universitas Pelita Harapan in Indonesia.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xii

Abbreviations xv

1 Introduction 1

2 Beauty Triune 30

3 Creation: Beauty's Debut 88

4 The Incarnation: Beauty Condescending 141

5 The Cross: Beauty Redeeming 212

6 Re-creation: Beauty's Denouement 251

7 Conclusion 324

Appendix 1 The General Witness of Scripture to the Aesthetic Dimension 337

Bibliography 343

Scripture Index 361

Subject Index 375

Editorial Reviews

"Truth and goodness are essential, but-in contrast with our forebears-beauty seems to have been marginalized in modern Reformed and evangelical theology. This volume is therefore a serious contribution, filling a lacuna in our systematic theology. Grounded in the triune Beauty, revealed consummately in Christ, and informed by Balthasar and other major interpreters of the catholic tradition, The Beauty of the Lord carves out its own unique place in reflection on theological aesthetics. A feast for the soul, this book will transform the way we think about God and his works."

Michael Horton

"The Beauty of the Lord is a tour de force in contemporary theological aesthetics. Dr. Jonathan King not only integrates theology and aesthetics in a brilliant way but also offers a compelling and inspiring work that qualitatively expands and enriches our understanding and vision of the God of the Bible. Captivated by his arguments, attention to detail, and logical and theological acuity, I found myself worshiping God as I turned each page. Thank you, Dr. King!"

Paul Shockley

"This is the kind of theology that edifies the church. While many theoretical discussions about certain far-flung doctrines may be hard to relate to the everyday life of the Christian, this discussion of God's beauty is different. Sound doctrine is always salutary, but it does not always stir the heart. By way of contrast, this study of the beauty of the Lord aims not only to give the reader right understanding, but also right heartedness: a right perspective on and a passion for the fittingness of God's plan of redemption."

Kevin J. Vanhoozer