Art, Craft, and Theology in Fourth-Century Christian Authors

Ancient authors compared writing to painting, and the sculpting of the soul was a common philosophical theme. Art, Craft, and Theology in Fourth-Century Christian Authors explores how Greek writers, especially the Cappadocians and John Chrysostom, used ekphrasis and prosōpopoeia to make theological arguments and evoke a response from their readership.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 01 October 2020
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Ancient authors often likened writing to painting, and the sculpting of the soul was a prevalent philosophical theme. Art, Craft, and Theology in Fourth-Century Christian Authors seeks to reclaim the ancient concept of authorship as craft by drawing inspiration from these figures. The ancient concept of craft (ars, techne) encompasses a wide range of artistic and practical disciplines, including both high art and applied arts. It unites the aesthetic and the utilitarian, merging beauty and functionality. This concept encompasses both skills and practices, such as medicine and music, as well as productive arts like painting, sculpting, and the composition of texts.

By employing craft as a guiding concept in understanding fourth-century Christian authorship, this book aims to recover a sense of their shared practice, which is both aesthetically pleasing and theologically valuable. It explores the ways in which these authors engaged with two specific literary techniques: ekphrasis and prosopopoeia. Through a detailed examination of their use of these techniques, it demonstrates how they adapted and experimented with them to make theological arguments and evoke a response from their readership.

The book focuses on Greek writers, particularly the Cappadocians (Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nysa), and John Chrysostom, all of whom were trained in rhetoric. By examining their use of ekphrasis and prosopopoeia, the book sheds light on how these authors employed these techniques to convey their theological ideas and engage their readers on a deeper level.

In conclusion, Art, Craft, and Theology in Fourth-Century Christian Authors offers a valuable contribution to the study of ancient literature and theology. By reclaiming the concept of authorship as craft, the book provides a fresh perspective on the works of fourth-century Christian authors and their engagement with literary techniques. It demonstrates how these authors used their artistic and theological skills to shape souls and produce texts that continue to resonate with readers today.

\n Weight: 564g\n
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198848837\n \n