Power of Pictures in Christian Thought
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A01=Anthony Thiselton
A01=Canon Anthony C. Thiselton
A01=Professor Anthony Thiselton
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Author_Anthony Thiselton
Author_Canon Anthony C. Thiselton
Author_Professor Anthony Thiselton
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biblical hermeneutics
Category1=Non-Fiction
Category=HRC
Category=HRCM
Category=QRM
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criteria of interpretation
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imagery in the Bible
interpreting biblical images
interpreting scripture
Language_English
literary images and symbols
metaphorical theology
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theories of symbol
Product details
- ISBN 9780281078868
- Weight: 426g
- Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
- Publication Date: 15 Nov 2018
- Publisher: SPCK Publishing
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
- Language: English
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A biblical, historical and theological investigation into the tendency of literary images to either enlighten or mislead, and how we can learn to distinguish between the two.
Part One considers key philosophical and aesthetic evaluations of literary images and symbols. The power of pictures is widely appreciated, as in the adage 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. Sometimes Christian discourse can be smothered by endless prose, which demands much inferential reasoning. There is, however, a contrary argument. An isolated visual representation can be misleading if it is improperly interpreted. For example, some mystical visions are interpreted as direct instructions from the Holy Spirit, as happened with the Radical Reformers, who advocated the Peasants' Revolt. Hence theories of symbol, metaphor, and visual representation must be examined.
Part Two discusses visual representation in the Old Testament, the teaching of Jesus, pictures and analogies in Paul, and the Book of Revelation. This shows the range of authentic visual representations. In contrast to biblical material, we find throughout Christian history abundant examples of misleading imagery which is often passed off as Christian. A notorious example is found in the visual representation and metaphors used by Gnostic writers. Almost as bad are some visual representations used by the medieval mystics, Radical Reformers, and extreme charismatics - all of which lack valid criteria of interpretation, relying instead on subjective conviction. Similarly, sermons and prayers today can be enriched with pictorial images, but some can be misleading and unhelpful for the life of the Church.
The late Anthony Thiselton was Emeritus Professor of Christian Theology at the University of Nottingham and a fellow of the British Academy. He previously taught at the Universities of Sheffield, Bristol and Durham and was known internationally for his work on hermeneutics and the theory of interpretation.
