In the Beginning Is the Icon ― A Liberative Theology of Images, Visual Arts, and Culture

In this complex book, Bergmann (religious studies, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim) blends art, aesthetics, anthropology and theology to create a "liberative theology of images, visual arts and culture". Except for a brief excursus to world art, the emphasis is on Christian art and at least quasi-Christian theology. This seems to be the religion of the author. Chapters progress from definitions of "Image" and "Art" through ways in which theology is expressed through art, to a contextual theology of art. The image is seen in its anthropological setting as the believer would approach it rather than as art out of context. Bergmann stresses the interrelation of art and religion in an apophatic sense as developed by Eastern Christian mystics such as St. Basil and Gregory Nanzianus. Bergmann also develops this theory to include kataphatic, or positive elements. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Sigurd Bergmann, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.