Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Beauty in Architecture

Juliet Benner's book, Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art and Prayer, is becoming a staple for me as I lead a small discussion group called “Christianity and the Arts.” Here is a statement by Benner that shows how architecture can be a medium for communicating God’s good news.

“The cathedrals themselves expressed the gospel in their architectural details. Central to their theology was the cross, which became foundational to their design and construction. It provided the footprint of the cathedral, with the long nave forming the vertical arm of the cross and the transept constituting the horizontal arm. At the meeting point of these arms worshipers received the sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ. Sign and symbol were as central to their worship as the visual depictions and audible readings of the Word” (15).

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