The Image of God the Father in Orthodox Theology and Iconography and Other Studies
Fr. Steven Bigham drawings by Alain Vallée
“My interest in this particular subject resulted from a seemingly apparent contradiction, apparent at least to me: Church tradition clearly states that the Incarnation is the only basis on which a portrait of the invisible God can be painted, and yet ‘icons’ of the Father and the Trinity abound in Orthodox Churches, along with elaborate theological justifications. How is this possible, and how did this situation develop historically? The essay on the image of God the Father is an attempt to answer these and other questions. [...]I offer these studies to those who are interested in iconography and who want to deepen their understanding of this sublime art. [...]I hope thereby to contribute to a greater understanding of Orthodoxy’s ‘theology in color.’” —“Preface”
CONTENTS
Preface I. The Image of God the Father in Orthodox Theology and Iconography 1. Introduction 2. “Seeing God” in the Bible Old Testament Texts about Seeing God The Angel of the Lord The Divine Energies Direct Visions Texts Against Seeing God New Testament Texts About Seeing God Conclusion About the Biblical Texts 3. “Seeing God” in the Fathers 4. The Iconoclastic Period 5. The Liturgical Witness The Invisible Made Visible by the Incarnation Christ the Word Made Known in the Old Testament Christ “Seen” in Old Testament Visions The Incarnation Fulfills Old Testament Signs and Figures 6. Three Russian Councils The Stoglav Council of Moscow, 1551 The Council of Moscow, 1553–54 The Great Council of Moscow, 1666–67 7. The Western Attitude 8. The Evidence of Art History 9. Conclusion 10. Notes II. Canons on Iconography Notes III. The Not-So-Penetrating Look The Problem Psychological Background Doctrinal Background The Problem Focused Notes IV. Death and Orthodox Iconography Introduction The Doctrine of Salvation General Considerations Specific Examples Eastern and Western Art Notes V. Allegorical Personification in Orthodox Iconography Introduction The Pagan Background The Christian Background The Problem The Canonical Tradition Deformations Notes VI. Orthodox Iconography & the Non-Orthodox Orthodox Iconography & the Non-Orthodox: Notes VII. Iconography and St. Gregory Palamas Introduction The Doctrine of Essence and Energies General Principles Specifics Conclusion Notes VIII. “Man as the Image of God” in St. Gregory of Nyssa and in Orthodox Iconography Introduction St. Gregory’s Doctrine of Man Iconography Critique of St. Gregory’s Position in the Light of Iconography Conclusion Notes Bibliography Sources of Illustrations
Item Number: BKV819 Publication data: Torrance, CA: Oakwood Publications Format: softcover Number of pages: xii + 260 Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.5 cm × 13.7 cm × 1.4 cm Additional information: black-and-white illustrations ISBN: 1‒879038‒15‒3
