The Beauty of the Lord - (Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology) by Jonathan King (Paperback)

About the Book

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. --

Book Synopsis

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. --

From the Back Cover

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.

Review Quotes

"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, Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Bible at the College of Biblical Studies-Houston and Lecturer of Philosophy, Multidisciplinary Programs, Stephen F. Austin State University

"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, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"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, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

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.