Called to Attraction: An Introduction to the Theology of Beauty

by Brendan Thomas Sammon

What if there is more to beauty than meets the eye? What if beauty named more than the human response to a thing's appearance, but instead named the very presence of God in the world? And what if beauty provided a power enabling human beings to think in novel and creative ways, to see with new eyes? This book explores the various ways in which the Christian theological tradition has provided responses to these questions. Taking its starting point from the view that beauty is above all a divine name, this book explores the consequences that such a starting point has not only for the human experience of beauty but also for the way in which beauty penetrates to the very heart of human nature, uplifting and inspiring human thought and action to ever new frontiers of existence. In its experience of beauty, so this book argues, the human spirit encounters the divine presence in unexpected and transformative ways, such that one may come to see that not only is God beautiful, but God is beauty itself!

Genres: Theology

170 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2017

Reviews

[Alex Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great exploration of the theological and philosophical lineage of beauty and its relevance to our modern context. Looking at God's people and the important church scholars and fathers through the lense of a theology of beauty is eyeopening. Sammon makes a convincing argument that our view of God starts with beauty (or ought to) even if we don't articulate it. Beauty is unavoidable in the christian tradition and its helpful to see how deep the roots go.

[Lorlor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars, simply because I found the language difficult to follow most of the time. There are a lot of fascinating concepts hidden within the strongly academic text. This is not an easily accessible read, but it is worth the challenge.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting study of a theology of beauty.

Engages with Scripture, Ancient Philosophy, and the western philosophical and theological tradition.

Pretty heady in places, but rewarding too.

Written from a Roman Catholic perspective.