The Power of Pictures in Christian Thought: The Use and Abuse of Images in the Bible and Theology

by Anthony Thiselton

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2018

Overview

Part One considers key philosophical and aesthetic evaluations of literary images and symbols. The power of pictures is widely appreciated, as in the adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. Sometimes Christian discourse can be smothered by endless prose, which demands much inferential reasoning. There is, however, a contrary argument. An isolated visual representation can be misleading if it is improperly interpreted. For example, some mystical visions are interpreted as direct instructions from the Holy Spirit, as happened with the Radical Reformers, who advocated the Peasants’ Revolt. Hence theories of symbol, metaphor, and visual representation must be examined.

Part Two discusses visual representation in the Old Testament, the teaching of Jesus, pictures and analogies in Paul, and the Book of Revelation. This shows the range of authentic visual representations. In contrast to biblical material, we find throughout Christian history abundant examples of misleading imagery which is often passed off as Christian. A notorious example is found in the visual representation and metaphors used by Gnostic writers. Almost as bad are some visual representations used by the medieval mystics, Radical Reformers, and extreme charismatics—all of which lack valid criteria of interpretation, relying instead on subjective conviction. Similarly, sermons and prayers today can be enriched with pictorial images, but some can be misleading and unhelpful for the life of the Church.

Key Features

• Evaulates the benefits and dangers of symbolic imagery
• Explores the use of images in Scripture
• Surveys the use of visual representation throughout religious history

Contents

Part 1 Philosophical, Hermeneutical and Literary

• The power of pictures, visual images and symbols
• The seduction of pictures and images under certain conditions
• Pictures, metaphors and symbols
• Interpreting pictures and visual images

Part 2 Biblical Pictures, Symbols and Images

• Visual pictures and symbolic acts in the Old Testament
• Pictures and images in the teaching of Jesus
• Pictures and analogies in the earlier letters of Paul: 1 Thessalonians, Galatians and 1 Corinthians
• The later letters of Paul: from 2 Corinthians to the Pastoral Epistles
• Pictures, symbols and images in the book of Revelation

Part 3 Communication in History and Today

• Pictures and symbols in post-biblical sources and Christian communication today

Endorsements

Thiselton’s genius lies in his extraordinary capacity to help us to see familiar issues afresh and deepen our sense of truth. Thiselton’s method . . . is to guide the student or reader, giving him or her new vistas, insights and nourishment for the intellectual journey ahead.

—Church Times

Product Details

• Title: The Power of Pictures in Christian Thought: The Use and Abuse of Images in the Bible and Theology
• Author: Anthony C. Thiselton
• Publisher: SPCK
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 272
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Theology

About Anthony Thiselton

Anthony C. Thiselton was professor of Christian Theology at the University of Nottingham. He held three doctorates (Ph.D, D.D., D.D) and published important works on 1 Corinthians, hermeneutics, and did research on modern theology, philosophy of religion, and the application of philosophy of language to biblical studies.