Historical, Philosophical, And Theological Perspectives On The Visual Arts In Worship

Christian worship is an inherently visual event. Both the setting and the actions of worship need to be seen as well as heard. The visual dimensions of worship are important on several levels. Some visual components are functional, such as fonts, tables, and pulpits. They each serve the most essential actions of worship, proclamation, and sacramental celebration. Others are simply part of the environment of worship. Stained glass windows, flowers, and banners all affect the spirit of Christians gathered to listen and to celebrate. Some visual components present concrete images and symbols, such as the cross or a loaf of bread. Others feature abstract designs, such as a banner filled with vibrant texture and color. Throughout the centuries, the church has tended to emphasize the aural and textual aspects of worship. In recent years, however, churches have explored the potential for the visual arts in worship with great energy. What churches need now are both careful theological reflection on the role of the visual arts in worship and creative artistic applications that are feasible for congregations with a variety of resources. Throughout the history of the church, the role of the visual arts in worship has often been controversial, with debates being waged on both theological and cultural grounds. The first entries in this section briefly describe this history and explain some of the primary theological arguments involved in these discussions. Then, the remaining entries present philosophical and liturgical rationale for both why and how the arts should be used in worship. They are written by people from a variety of worship traditions, and they are both instructive regarding these traditions and prescriptive for how the various traditions can learn from each other.

1. A Brief History Of The Visual Arts In Worship
2. How Christians Have Appropriated The Arts
3. Historical Perspectives On The Reformed View Of The Arts In Worship
4. The African Recovery Of The Arts
5. Liturgical Aesthetics
6. Symbols As The Language Of Art And Liturgy
7. How Symbols Speak
8. The Relationship Of Visual And Verbal Elements In Worship
9. An Appropriate Style For Scripture Proclamation
10. A Call For Recovery Of The Visual Arts In Anabaptist Worship
11. A Call For The Recovery Of Visual Arts In Reformed Worship
12. A Call For The Recovery Of The Visual Arts In Charismatic Worship
13. The Role Of The Arts In Worship
14. The Integrity Of Form And Faith In Liturgical Art
15. The Nonverbal Languages Of Prayer
16. Environment And Art In Worship: A Roman Catholic Document On Art In Worship Part I
17. Environment And Art In Worship: A Roman Catholic Document On Art In Worship Part II