Word and Icon
Overview
Christ is God’s “Word and Icon.” God not only authors his definitive word by his Holy Spirit, he also fashions his image in the flesh of Jesus of Nazareth. Indeed, Jesus as his father’s “eikon” is the visible image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). For two millennia iconographers have tried to depict the uncreated, divine essence and energy of Christ—his living light, which permeates the cosmos, shining upon creation.
Word, image, and prayer are profoundly and dynamically interwoven. Contemplating them, we enter into a space where the heart and mind seek communion with God. This book invites us into a deeper truly open dialogue with Holy Scripture, aided by images, symbols, and prayer, for these elements are at the core of the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Eastern Churches.
Word and Icon is a unique combination of Scriptural readings, icons, prayers, patristic commentaries, and footnotes. Each page offers new insight into the Word of God by presenting selected passages and related icons. Word and Icon features Byzantium’s iconic heritage, richly illustrating Christ’s message as it resonates throughout both Testaments. The reader is invited to make prayerful connections between the words and the images, between the ideas and the experience of the good news.
With Logos Bible Software, this volume Word and Icon is enhanced with cutting-edge research tools. Scripture citations appear on mouseover in your preferred English translation. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful topical searches help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Tablet and mobile apps let you take the discussion with you. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Features a unique combination of Scripture readings, icons, prayers, and patristic commentaries
- Includes a foreword by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
- Offers introduction to Byzantium’s iconic history
- I. The Gospels
- The Dawn of Salvation
- Prepare the Way of the Lord
- The Kingdom Is at Hand: Seminal Ministry
- Towards the Hour of Glory: Ministry in Judea
- Crucified and Dead in the Flesh
- Resurrected in the Spirit
- II. The Church in the Power of the Spirit: The Apostles
- III. In the Mystery of Christ: The Pauline Letters
- IV. Christ Our High Priest: Letter to the Hebrews
- V. The Coming of Our Lord: Catholic Letters
- VI. I Am the Alpha and the Omega: Revelation
Top Highlights
“Seeing the Orthodox faithful venerating the icons in the chapel, they began to murmur about idolatry. ‘Tell me,’ asked the abbess, ‘do you honour the Bible?’ ‘Of course we do,’ they replied. ‘What!’ she exclaimed. ‘Do you worship ink and paper?’ Just as an Evangelical Christian in the West worships not ink and paper but the living Word who speaks to us through ink and paper, so an Orthodox worships not wood and paint but the living Saviour whom we encounter through the wood and paint of the icon.” (Page xiii)
“‘An icon divorced from a place and act of worship is a contradiction in terms. Prayer and the icon are inseparably united. The Icon is a form of prayer. The art of the icon is a liturgical art.’” (Page x)
“Through the mediation of the iconostasis, we enter into direct communion with the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ (Heb 12:1) in the Church triumphant. The screen is not a barrier but a meeting point.” (Page xii)
“‘It is absolutely impossible to imagine the smallest liturgical rite in the Orthodox Church without icons. The liturgical and sacramental life of the Church is inseparable from the image.’” (Page ix)
“every icon is an extension of the mystery of the Transfiguration.” (Page x)
Word and Icon is an exemplary text for Christian readers of all ages, and especially for students. They will enjoy using Word and Icon as a support document in their Bible classes or at faith events and retreats. While this unique resource stimulates group discussion it also invites personal prayer. The strength of this book’s appeal is clear: Word and Icon reaches across Christian denominations. In this day of ecumenical dialogue, a well-prepared resource will attract a broad range of students and readers who seek alternate and vibrant representations of God’s Holy Word.
—The Most Reverend Metropolitan Kallistos Ware of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Great Britain
- Title: Word and Icon: Exploring the New Testament with Christian Art, Iconography, Commentary and Prayer
- Author: Pablo Argarate
- Publisher: CUCE
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 364
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. › Commentaries
- ISBN: 9780993621100
- Resource ID: LLS:WORDANDICON
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T21:08:59Z
Reviews
2 ratings
Julia
10/2/2023
The description of this book alone is pure heresy! The Orthodox Church has never tried to depict the divine essence and energy of God. That is in complete contradiction to the teachings of the Fathers (St John of Damascus, St Theodore....) that the icon depicts the Hypostasis/ Person of Christ NOT the essence/energy.
Christian R. Proano M.
6/10/2015
Early in the book the author writes: "iconographers have tried to depict the uncreated, divine essence..." this gives a false impression to the reader who is not familiarized with icons the idea that the divine essence can be depicted. Later on the author clarifies that the invisible nature of God cannot be depict but that which was revealed in the Incarnation. But if the reader is not attentive, the impression of the first line may remain leaving a bad foundation for iconography. Apart from this quoted statement the rest of the book is an excellent resource that also works as a commentary.
G
5/1/2015
Matthew Langlois
12/3/2014
If you like icons, and christian imagery, and would like further insight on how they and the Word are interconnected, add this to your library. Stunning images!
