Clement of Alexandria and the Judgement of Taste - Pedagogical Rhetoric and Christian Formation

J. M. F. Heath reads Clement of Alexandria's Paedagogus alongside modern approaches to the judgement of taste and aesthetics to show how Clement's forming of the tastes and habits of his audience was vital to early Christian beliefs and practices. In turn, the book also develops a theological response to Pierre Bourdieu's theory of taste.

List of contents

• Acknowledgements


• 1: Introduction: Taste and its Discursive Contexts


• 2: Desire: A New Christian Rhetoric of Divine Philanthr¿pia


• 3: Disgust: Repellent Images (Eikones) in the Pedagogue's Rhetoric


• 4: Binaries: Rhetorical Oppositions and the Formation of Aesthetic Judgement


• 5: Beauty: Ekphrastic Rhetoric and the Eik¿n/Agalma of Human Perfection


• 6: Society: Political Rhetoric and the Christian Politeia


• 7: Love: Christian Taste and The Ordering of Loves


• Bibliography


• Index

About the author

J. M. F. Heath researches and teaches in New Testament and Patristics at Durham University. Her work on Clement of Alexandria has been supported by research fellowships at the Humboldt University in Berlin and at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. Her main research interest is in Christian formation and ancient-modern dialogue within theology, seeking an integrated account of embodied and contemplative aspects of Christian spirituality that encompasses both visual and verbal dimensions. She draws on her educational background in Classics to deepen understanding of the early patristic tradition.

Summary

J. M. F. Heath reads Clement of Alexandria's Paedagogus alongside modern approaches to the judgement of taste and aesthetics to show how Clement's forming of the tastes and habits of his audience was vital to early Christian beliefs and practices. In turn, the book also develops a theological response to Pierre Bourdieu's theory of taste.

Product details

• Authors: J. M. F. Heath, J. M. F. (Associate Professor Heath, Heath J. M. F.
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 07.05.2024
• EAN: 9780198902010
• ISBN: 978-0-19-890201-0
• No. of pages: 256
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; RELIGION / Christianity / History, RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, RELIGION / Christianity / General, PHILOSOPHY / Aesthetics, Theology, Christian theology, Christian life & practice, History of Religion, Philosophy: aesthetics, Christian life and practice, RELIGION / Christian Living / General, The Early Church, Writings of the Early Church Fathers