Persons as God's Art: Toward an Artistic Ontology of Personhood($25.00Value)

Description

The ancient Jewish shepherd David once mused, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor” ( New International Version Bible , 1973/2011, Ps. 8:4,5). Throughout history, theologians and artists have grappled with the same profound question, “What is a person?” To date, few answers resonate with the awe and wonder that David expressed when contemplating humanity’s lofty place within creation. Therefore, this book seeks to offer a biblical and artistic ontology of personhood that acknowledges the divine glory bestowed upon humanity. It aims to offer a theory of personhood that moves beyond the Western doctrines of original sin and total depravity. Drawing from Scripture, early church writings, theological commentaries, and visual art, this book posits that humans are God’s animated artwork who sub-create their lives as they grow toward Christlikeness. However, God’s good artwork has been vandalized by the power of sin, leading to estrangement from God, the self, and others. God’s artwork is restored through Christ, enabling people to participate in the sub-creation of a good life. These findings highlight the need for Christian ministers to re-examine their understanding of God’s image and concepts of human ontology to understand better those persons seeking spiritual counsel.