God's Human Face: The Christ Icon

by Christoph Schönborn, Lothar Kraugh (Translator)

This book by Bishop Christoph Schonborn, the principal editor of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is about the human face of God. Artists and theologians have meditated upon the mystery of God's human countenance and tried to express it. This book seeks to present the great sources of this meditation--sources which today are widely unknown, or have become foreign or obscure. These sources are above all the great masters of early Christianity. In their meditation upon Christ, Bishop Schonborn seeks the sources of the art on the Icon. The reader will find not only an engaging introduction to the meaning and beauty of Icons, but an invitation to draw closer to the One who inspired these Masters of theological expression and holy art. Includes beautiful color Icon illustrations.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Christoph Maria Michael Hugo Damian Peter Adalbert Graf von Schönborn, O.P.
is a Bohemian-born Austrian Dominican friar and theologian, who is a cardinal of the Catholic Church. He serves as the Archbishop of Vienna and President of the Austrian Bishops' Conference. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1998. He is also the chaplain of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Austrian branch), of which he has been a member since 1961. He is a member of the formerly sovereign princely House of Schönborn, several members of which held high offices of the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church.

Reviews

[Paul Henderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very RC book, not Orthodox. One only has to read about the author to find out his views of the faith and other things... There are plenty of solid Orthodox books about the topics Schonborn touches on that are better. I would be wary reading this book if you are trying to understand the proper theology of Icons in light of the faith.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A theological grounding of icons in the doctrines of the Trinity and Incarnation, and a history of the icons debate and the "victory of Orthodoxy."

[Ionnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book on the theology surrounding the iconoclast controversy and the figures that were prominent in it.

[Stephanie Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really really interesting and in depth look at the iconoclastic controversies of the early church, with a great amount of detail about Trinitarian Theology. Surprisingly engaging!

[Jan-Jaap van Peperstraten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hét standaardwerk over de christologische dimensies van de iconenverering. "Wie de iconen verwerpt, verwerpt uiteindelijk de Menswording" (H.Theodorus Studites)

[FatherSwithin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary of the relationship of icons to the Incarnation.