Spirit and Beauty: An Introduction to Theological Aesthetics

by Patrick Sherry

Many Christian theologians have associated beauty, both in nature and art, with the Holy Spirit. They include early Fathers like St Irenaeus and St Clement of Alexandria, as well as later writers like Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Sergius Bulgakov and Hans Urs von Balthasar. This text investigates what they said and why. In doing so, it also serves as an introduction to the whole area of theological aesthetics. Besides exploring the connection between the Holy Spirit and beauty, it ranges more widely by considering topics such as divine glory, inspiration and the eschatological character of beauty. Its discussions bring together two areas of lively interest in contemporary the theology of the Holy Spirit and theological aesthetics.

Genres: Theology

194 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 1992

Reviews

[Isaiah]

A superb introductory text to theological aesthetics—specifically beauty, divine and material—and pneumatology. Sherry covers much ground and offers a very helpful in-road for those seeking to understand a quickly growing field.

My one problem, I cannot help but note his inconsistency in chapter 5. It is curious that he states early on, ‘I do not think that we can simply equate inspiration with the work of the Holy Spirit’ (p.101). Yet, he goes on to twice say: ‘I am suggesting that in many of these cases inspiration is the way in which God through His spirit let’s us share in His creativity’ (p.103) and, ‘Here, then, we have inspiration subsumed under the communication of the Holy Spirit, the life-giving and transforming spirit. This proposal is, I think, correct’ (p.107).

[Joey Le]

Sherry is a superb scholar and writer, and 'Spirit and Beauty' offers many great insights into two subjects that are rarely considered, and even more rarely considered together.

[Jen H]

One of the very best books I've read on the subject of theological aesthetics. Not a new book. First published in 1982 , in fact, but in the space of a few short chapters, Patrick Sherry lays a firm Biblical foundation for the association of the role of the Holy Spirit with the beauty of God and with artistic beauty.

This is one book which shall forever remain on my theological aesthetics reference bookshelf.