From Idols to Icons - The Emergence of Christian Devotional Images in Late Antiquity

“From Idols to Icons is a sweeping work that tackles diverse aspects of image worship, including theological issues, the perception of the senses, and the various meanings of viewing. The question, in Robin Jensen’s view, is not really about whether images were acceptable or powerful but about whose images were to be tolerated. The result is an original and well-documented study that brings together the views of Christian and non-Christian authors, apologists, philosophers, and sophists as well."—Brouria Bitton-Ashkelony, Martin Buber Professor of Comparative Religion, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

“This book is set to be a standard work in Christian art history, theological aesthetics, and the cultural history of late antiquity. A rarity in the field, Jensen's account is attentive to both the material culture that is early Christian art and the theological lenses through which it was and is understood. A masterful achievement." —Christopher Beeley, Jack and Barbara Bovender Professor of Theology, Duke University

List of contents

Contents

List of Illustrations 
Acknowledgments 
Preface 

1. Early Christian Condemnation of Idols 
2. Aniconism: In Defense of the Invisible God 
3. Epiphanies: Encountering the Visible God 
4. Early Christian Pictorial Art: From Sacred Narratives to Holy Portraits 
5. Holy Portraits: Controversies and Commendation 
6. The True Likeness 
7. Miraculous and Mediating Portraits 
8. Materiality, Visuality, and Spiritual Insight 

Epilogue: The Idols’ Last Stand 

List of Abbreviations
Notes 
Bibliography
General Index 
Index of Sources

About the author

Robin M. Jensen is Patrick O’Brien Professor of Theology and Fellow at the Medieval Institute and the Nanovic Institute, University of Notre Dame.

Product details

• Authors: Robin M. Jensen
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2022
• EAN: 9780520345423
• ISBN: 978-0-520-34542-3
• No. of pages: 252
• Series: Christianity in Late Antiquity
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; ART / Subjects & Themes / Religious, RELIGION / Christianity / General, RELIGION / Christian Rituals & Practice / General, Christianity, Christian life & practice, Christian life and practice, RELIGION / Christian Living / General, Christian worship, rites & ceremonies, Worship, rites, ceremonies and rituals, Relating to religious groups, Religious subjects depicted in art, Religious and ceremonial art