"Mark Mattes has given us an intriguing and richly textured study of beauty in Luther's theology. In the crucified Christ, salvation is given to those who believe; thus, Christ is beautiful, and believers can celebrate this 'gospel beauty' through the ways God grants mercy in worship: preaching and the sacraments. Christ has absorbed the ugliness of sin, enabling believers to feel at home in the world and to celebrate creation's beauty. This splendid study will deepen understandings of Luther and open new appreciations for the fullness of Jesus Christ as 'the fulcrum through which life, and most specifically truth, goodness, and beauty, are to be understood.'"  
\--__Donald K. McKim__, editor of The Cambridge Companion to Martin Luther and author of Moments with Martin Luther: 95 Daily Devotions  
  
"Beauty has historically been a neglected topic in much of traditional Protestant theology, a lacuna of increasing significance in an age that is more and more preoccupied with aesthetics. In this book Mattes retrieves Martin Luther as a source for aesthetic reflection and, in so doing, brings both Luther's thought and the Protestantism that stems from him into important dialogue with both earlier theologians and contemporary thinkers such as Charles Taylor and John Milbank. Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty is rich in historical theological insight and modern philosophical potential."  
\--__Carl R. Trueman__, Westminster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania  
  
"Claiming that Luther's work has not only 'existential' depth but also 'cosmic' and 'eschatological' breadth, Mattes brings to the fore the centrality of beauty in Luther's theology. Providing a careful and clear reading of Luther's work that situates it within its historical context and in relation to contemporary discussions, Mattes argues that, for Luther, God's proper work--mercy--is beautiful indeed. Timely and incisive, this book charts a distinctive path that opens up fresh appropriations of Luther's work in our time."  
\--__Lois Malcolm__, Luther Seminary  
  
"Most students of theology would never guess that Martin Luther, famous for his denunciation of theologies of glory, had a richly developed aesthetic. This is the thesis made plausible by Mark Mattes, a distinguished Lutheran theologian. Clear and learned, this book draws connections that will surprise many."  
\--__Gerald McDermott__, Beeson Divinity School; coauthor of The Theology of Jonathan Edwards

__Mark C. Mattes__ (PhD, University of Chicago) is professor of philosophy and religion at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. He previously served parishes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mattes has authored, edited, or translated a number of books and is an associate editor of the forthcoming Dictionary of Luther and the Lutheran Traditions.

"With a careful mining of the resources at hand in Martin Luther's explorations of the significance of visual imagery, God's ordering of his creation, and related concepts, and with insightful assessment of Luther's actual use of the graphic arts and music, Mattes's groundbreaking work addresses with depth and skill aesthetic theories that grow out of the nouvelle théologie of Henri de Lubac and others with challenges that will enrich and expand our perceptions and analyses of the nature of the beautiful according to God's creation and in the light of Christ's cross."  
\--__Robert Kolb__, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis  
  
"While scholars have paid attention to Luther's views of music, visual images, and rhetorical style, no one has claimed that these views amount to an overall theory of beauty or aesthetics. But Mattes boldly shows how music and images are related to Luther's ideas of human senses, goodness, and personal renewal. His solid historical results enable Mattes to enter into critical dialogue with John Milbank, Charles Taylor, and other contemporary thinkers. Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty will persuade both historians and theologians to revise their opinions regarding the Lutheran Reformation."  
\--__Risto Saarinen__, University of Helsinki  
  
"Mattes's rigorous study of Martin Luther's theology of beauty liberates the Reformer from his own tradition, which has often limited, marginalized, or otherwise ignored its own robust aesthetic resources. Mattes's Luther thus emerges as an important resource for revealing the unique contributions that Lutheran thought can make to aesthetics as well as the study of art and culture."  
\--__Daniel A. Siedell__, The King's College, New York City  
  
"What a great surprise, that one of the most important Lutheran theologians writing today would take up the subject of Luther and beauty. Aesthetics seems at first glance to be a foreign and contradictory undertaking for the great teacher of the cross. But Luther is all about beauty, if we'll only stoop low enough to see correctly. And the timing of this book could not be better, since theologically we are no longer in the age of the ethically good, or even the rationally true, but the aesthetically beautiful. Luther's is a voice that must be heard, or we all will go down the same rabbit holes again. Mattes is a master in clarifying what Luther brings to this very current affair, and he keeps us grounded in the beauty of the deeply incarnate Word that produces all the things that the world is sure are ugly but that God uses for his glory in a most surprising turn of events."  
\--__Steven Paulson__, Luther Seminary

Many contemporary theologians seek to retrieve the concept of beauty as a way for people to encounter God. This groundbreaking book argues that while Martin Luther's view of beauty has often been ignored or underappreciated, it has much to contribute to that quest. Mark Mattes, one of today's leading Lutheran theologians, analyzes Luther's theological aesthetics and discusses its implications for music, art, and the contemplative life. Mattes shows that for Luther, the cross is the lens through which the beauty of God is refracted into the world.

One of today's leading Lutheran theologians analyzes Luther's theological aesthetics, arguing that the cross is the lens through which the beauty of God is reflected into the world.

__Contents__   
__1. Introduction__ Foundation in Scripture  
Overview of the Book  
__2. Luther's Use of Philosophy__ The Scope of Philosophy in the Late Medieval University  
Nominalism and Realism  
Luther's Divergences from Nominalism  
Aristotle's Inadequacies and Adequacies  
Early Appropriation of Plato  
The Question of Double Truth  
Priority of Grammar over Logic  
The Semantics of the New Tongue  
Conclusion  
__3. Luther on Goodness__ Brief Overview of Medieval Views of Goodness  
Justification and Goodness  
Omnipotence and Divine Goodness  
Goodness as the Heart of God  
Comparison with Medieval Perspectives  
Conclusion  
__4. The Early Luther on Beauty__ Proportionality, Light, and Desire  
Beauty as a Transcendental  
Beauty in the Theology of Humility  
Beauty and the Question of Form  
Conclusion  
__5. The Mature Luther on Beauty__ Beauty Sub Contrario in Selected Psalms (1530s)  
Beauty in the Lectures on Galatians (1535)  
Lectures on Genesis (1535 and Following)  
Conclusion  
__6. Luther on the Theology and Beauty of Music__ Music as a Creation and Gift of God  
Luther's Response to the Ancient Church's Mixed Reception  
of Music  
Luther's Response to Reformed Reservations about Music  
The Affectivity of Music as Embodied Word  
Criteria for Beauty in Music  
Poetic Summary of Luther's View of Music  
Conclusion  
__7. Luther on Visual Imaging__ The Role of Images in the Early Church  
Critique of Medieval Veneration of Icons  
Critique of Iconoclasm  
Word as Portrayal  
A Covered God  
Conclusion  
__8. Luther and Nouvelle Théologie  
The Ambiguity of the Infinite  
An Enchanted World  
The Strange Beauty of the Cross  
The Goals of the Nouvelle Theologie The Question of Participation  
The Question of Hierarchy  
The Question of Pure Nature  
Conclusion  
__9. Luther for a Contemporary Theology of Beauty__ Summary of Results  
Beauty of Christ Revisited  
Creaturely Beauty Revisited  
God as Beautiful Revisited  
Luther in Contrast to Modern Views of Beauty  
The Sublime  
Revisiting Form  
Beauty and Preaching  
Indexes

\["For Christians seeking deeper spiritual insights through beauty", "Reveals how Luther's ideas on beauty can inspire you", "You will enrich your understanding of God's presence in art"\]

This book explores Martin Luther's unique view of beauty and its impact on encountering God.

Mattes, Mark C.

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

1. Introduction

2. Luther’s Use of Philosophy

3. Luther on Goodness

4. The Early Luther on Beauty

5. The Mature Luther on Beauty

6. Luther on the Theology and Beauty of Music

7. Luther on Visual Imaging

8. Luther and Nouvelle Théologie

9. Luther for a Contemporary Theology of Beauty

Works Cited

Index of Names

Index of Ancient Sources

Index of Subjects

Back Cover

This book explores Martin Luther's theology of beauty, highlighting its significance in understanding grace and faith. Ideal for theologians and students of religious studies.

\["Looking to find a new approach to Luther's theologies?","Mixing a study of aesthetics with Martin Luther's theology, this book a fresh voice","You'll be challenged to see the Reformation in a new way"\]

1\. Introduction  
Foundation in Scripture  
Overview of the Book  
2\. Luther's Use of Philosophy  
The Scope of Philosophy in the Late Medieval University  
Nominalism and Realism  
Luther's Divergences from Nominalism  
Aristotle's Inadequacies and Adequacies  
Early Appropriation of Plato  
The Question of Double Truth  
Priority of Grammar over Logic  
The Semantics of the New Tongue  
Conclusion  
3\. Luther on Goodness  
Brief Overview of Medieval Views of Goodness  
Justification and Goodness  
Omnipotence and Divine Goodness  
Goodness as the Heart of God  
Comparison with Medieval Perspectives  
Conclusion  
4\. The Early Luther on Beauty  
Proportionality, Light, and Desire  
Beauty as a Transcendental  
Beauty in the Theology of Humility  
Beauty and the Question of Form  
Conclusion  
5\. The Mature Luther on Beauty  
Beauty Sub Contrario in Selected Psalms (1530s)  
Beauty in the Lectures on Galatians (1535)  
Lectures on Genesis (1535 and Following)  
Conclusion  
6\. Luther on the Theology and Beauty of Music  
Music as a Creation and Gift of God  
Luther's Response to the Ancient Church's Mixed Reception  
of Music  
Luther's Response to Reformed Reservations about Music  
The Affectivity of Music as Embodied Word  
Criteria for Beauty in Music  
Poetic Summary of Luther's View of Music  
Conclusion  
7\. Luther on Visual Imaging  
The Role of Images in the Early Church  
Critique of Medieval Veneration of Icons  
Critique of Iconoclasm  
Word as Portrayal  
A Covered God  
Conclusion  
8\. Luther and Nouvelle Théologie  
The Ambiguity of the Infinite  
An Enchanted World  
The Strange Beauty of the Cross  
The Goals of the Nouvelle Theologie  
The Question of Participation  
The Question of Hierarchy  
The Question of Pure Nature  
Conclusion  
9\. Luther for a Contemporary Theology of Beauty  
Summary of Results  
Beauty of Christ Revisited  
Creaturely Beauty Revisited  
God as Beautiful Revisited  
Luther in Contrast to Modern Views of Beauty  
The Sublime  
Revisiting Form  
Beauty and Preaching  
Indexes

Taking a remarkably different approach to the theologies of Martin Luther. Mark C. Mattes highlights the aesthetics of the Reformation.

Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty

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Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty

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