Visually Sacred: Conversations on the Power of Images

Aaron Rosen is a writer, curator, and non-profit leader, respected internationally for his work in the public humanities, interfaith dialogue, and the arts.  He is Executive Director of The Clemente Course in the Humanities, and founded and directs the not-for-profit Parsonage Gallery in Maine, exploring issues of ecology and spirituality through contemporary art.  He is the author or editor of a dozen books, including "What Would Jesus See?", and "Art and Religion in the 21st Century" and has provided commentary for the BBC, PBS, CNN.com and The Guardian. He is also the visual arts editor for Image Journal.​In this conversation, Aaron shared his views on the unique dynamics found in the intersection of art and religion. We explored the importance of religious imagery, visual thinking in understanding Jesus, and the historical influence of Christian art on Jewish artists. Our dialogue also touched on art's role in fostering interfaith dialogue and the Parsonage Gallery's unique contribution to experimental art and community engagement.

Kathryn is Bertelsen Professor of Art History and Religion at the Graduate Theological Union and Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. She has published extensively on the theory of pilgrimage, especially as it relates to art experience. Her recent project, "Imaging Pilgrimage: Art as Embodied Experience" was the recipient of the American Academy of Religion and the Arts Book Award and the Borsch-Rast Book Prize. She is the founding director of the Berkeley Art and Interreligious Pilgrimage Project, and remains an advisor to the British Pilgrimage Trust.​In this conversation, I spoke with Kathryn about the multifaceted nature of pilgrimage and its relationship to art, spirituality, and community. We explored how images, objects, and environments enhance the pilgrimage experience, from historical traditions to contemporary practices. We also discussed the transformative power of art and the ways it can foster imagination, communitas, and deeper spiritual engagement.

Julio is president of the Architecture, Culture and Spirituality Forum, that he cofounded in 2007. His interests focus on the relationship between architecture, culture, and spirituality through the lens of phenomenology and neuroscience. Julio has widely lectured, led symposia, taught, published, or appeared in the media covering these areas. Current projects include three neuro-phenomenological studies of sacred vs. secular architecture. He has received several national and international recognitions.​In this conversation, Julio and I look at how sacred spaces are designed to evoke transcendental experiences. We discuss various architectural principles that contribute to the creation of these spaces, the scientific studies that analyze human responses to sacred architecture, and the differences between Catholic and Protestant church designs. Our talk also covered the importance of community in church architecture and the tension between modern and traditional forms of church architecture. Additionally, we considered the challenges posed by consumerism on the design of contemporary worship environments.

Charles is vicar of St. Laurence, Catford, London and a trustee of "Art & Christianity Enquiry." He is on the editorial board of "Art & Christianity," and until recently a visiting scholar at Sarum College. Charles regularly contributes articles to books and magazines on art and spirituality, as well as lecturing in the UK and abroad. He is on the board of the UK branch of AICA (the International Association of Art Critics), and is chair of the Fabric Advisory Committee of Southwark Cathedral.​In this conversation, Charles and I explored the relationship between contemporary art and faith, and how he balances his roles as a priest and art critic. We discussed the shared ground between art and religion, and the Trinity as a framework for interpreting art. We also examined the spiritual dimensions of still life paintings as a Western parallel to Eastern Orthodox icons, as well as the evolving relationship between churches and museums, the intersection of sacred and secular themes in contemporary art, and how viewers can find deeper connections with artworks in a distracted society.

Ani is an Assistant Professor in Armenian Christian Art and Theology, holding a post in Grace and Paul Shahinian Lectureship, at the St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York. She earned her doctorate in History and Theology at the University of Oxford. She holds a M.A. degree in Near Eastern and Languages and Cultures from UCLA, and diplomas in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford. Ani’s doctoral research addressed the question of Christian martyrdom in the context of political, socio-economic, and ecclesiastical history in Late Medieval Armenia.In this conversation, Ani and I explored the multifaceted topic of martyrdom, examining its evolution from early Christian martyrs to contemporary times. We discussed the Armenian perspective on martyrdom, including its historical significance during the Armenian Genocide and its role in shaping Armenian identity. We also considered how martyrdom resonates beyond religious contexts, reflecting universal themes of suffering, justice, and hope.

Cecilia is professor of Theology and Theological Aesthetics at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. She is the recipient of the 2024 Virgilio Elizondo Award from the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, the 2023 Ann O’Hara Graff Award from the Catholic Theological Society of America, and was named 2020 Alumna of the Year from the Graduate Theological Union. She was also titled a Visionary by the Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts.​ Among her celebrated works is the book "Bridge to Wonder: Art as a Gospel of Beauty." She is President-elect of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States.​In this conversation, Cecilia and I discussed the significant links between art, theology, and social justice, focusing on art's transformative power in shaping ethical perspectives and fostering community resilience. We explored the role of aesthetics in marginalized communities, and how the grotesque can challenge our perceptions. Our dialogue also touched on the impact of digital media on art, the importance of media representation, and the role of community-based art as both resistance and a celebration of resilience and solidarity.

Thomas is the Alice Mary Baldwin Distinguished Professor of English at Duke University and Professor of Historical Theology in the Duke Divinity School. He is the author of four monographs: "Wordsworth Profession: Form, Class, and the Logic of Romantic Cultural Production," "Romantic Moods: Paranoia, Trauma, and Melancholy, 1790-1840," "Minding the Modern: Human Agency, Intellectual Traditions, and Responsible Knowledge," and "Incomprehensible Certainty: Metaphysics and Hermeneutics of the Image." ​In this conversation, Thomas and I explored theological aesthetics through a focus on the distinction between pictures and images and especially how images mediate spiritual realities. We discussed the transformative potential of art, the role of attention in perceiving the deeper meaning of images, and the implications of apophatic theology in understanding visual culture. Our dialogue also touched on viewing nature and art through a sacramental lens, the impact of consumerism on perception, and the need for humility and wonder to reclaim the mystical dimensions of images and their connection to the divine.

Elissa is an associate professor of art and art history at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, and a Norris and Billie Little Endowed Scholar. She received her M.A. and PhD in art history from Washington University in St. Louis, where her research focused on contemporary art, the body, and empathy. Her scholarly publications include essays on contemporary Black female photographers, patronage of Hawaiian landscape paintings, and photographs of the Japanese American internment. Elissa’s broader writing and teaching explores representations of race and gender and the relationship between art and spiritual formation. Her first book, "Redeeming Vision: A Christian Guide to Looking at and Learning from Art " was published in 2023 and won several awards.​In this conversation, Elissa and I explored how art can play a transformative role in our spiritual journey. We discussed the role of the Christian viewer, the ethical dimension of visual culture, and the importance of engaging with art in a way that helps us grow in our faith. We talked about how art can challenge our perceptions, encourage curiosity, and foster deeper connections with the divine and with each other.

Peter has been a Professor at Duke Divinity School since 2020. Before Duke, he taught at Notre Dame and was the founding director of DePaul’s Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology. He has published a monograph, Word as Bread: Language and Theology in Nicholas of Cusa. On November 15, 2024, his edited volume of the essays of Louis Dupré, Thinking the Unknowable, appeared with the University of Notre Dame Press.​In this conversation, Peter and I explored the relationship between art and theology with a focus on both theological aesthetics and the prophetic role of art. We discussed the influence of the Holy Spirit in the creative process, the significance of cultural symbols, and the contributions of Santero artists in Latin American culture. Our dialogue also touched on the impact of Thomas Merton in visual art, the role of reredos and moradas in Christian art history, and the blending of Spanish and indigenous traditions in Latino art as a reflection of cultural identity and spirituality.

Rina Arya is a Professor of Critical and Cultural Theory at the University of Hull, UK. She started her academic career working on the role of the sacred in death of God culture, especially in the paintings of Francis Bacon and writings of Georges Bataille, resulting in her acclaimed book "Francis Bacon: Painting in a Godless World". Her work on Bacon led to research in abjection where she wrote a number of articles and books on the subject, notably "Abjection and Representation." Rina is completing her next book on the cultural appropriation of Hinduism.​ In this conversation, Rina and I explored the areas of intersection between contemporary art and theology, focusing on theological aesthetics, embodiment, abjection, and the role of materiality in religious practices. We also discussed how contemporary artists engage with religious motifs, the impact of digital culture on spiritual experiences, and the importance of contemplative spaces in art. Additionally, we spoke about the evolving nature of religious expression in art and considered the potential for interfaith dialogue through artistic practices.

Jennifer is the Associate Professor and Program Director of Theology and the Arts at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Her recent publications include "The Good Shepherd: Image, Meaning, and Power" and "The Ashburnham Pentateuch and its Contexts." Jennifer earned her PhD in Religion (Historical Studies) from Vanderbilt University, where she focused on early medieval art and theological controversies. Before that, she graduated with an MAR in Visual Studies from the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale Divinity School.​ In this conversation, Jennifer and I explored the agency of images, the implications of iconoclasm, and the evolution of religious representation as it applies to the concepts of the Good Shepherd and the Trinity. We also delved into ritual theory, viewer reception, and the impact of digital culture on our engagement with religious images. Our conversation also addressed the materiality of art, the way perspectives on imagery vary across different Christian traditions, and the importance of presence in both religious and secular art.

Mark is Professor of Theology and Founding Co-Director of the Claritas Initiative on Beauty, Goodness, and Truth at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a constructive and historical theologian with interests in theological aesthetics, theology and the arts, mystical theology, and theories of perception, along with other arenas of inquiry. He is the author of "Balthasar on the Spiritual Senses: Perceiving Splendour," and co-edited "Image as Theology: The Power of Art in Shaping Christian Thought, Devotion, and Imagination," and "The Oxford Handbook of Hans Urs von Balthasar." In this conversation, Mark and I discuss the meaning and importance of theological aesthetics and its emphasis on materiality as a means of divine disclosure, as well as how it might address ideas about judgment and the problem of evil. We also consider the influence of Hans Urs von Balthasar on contemporary ideas related to art and religion, the meaning of beauty as a divine attribute, and the role of beauty, truth, and goodness across various disciplines, including education and science.

In this season we focus on the varieties of Christian visual representation and their influence on religious belief. Join me as I speak with experts on theological aesthetics and related fields about how our material world conditions our perceptions of the transcendent. From ancient Christian art to contemporary expressions of faith, this season will chart new directions and unpack thought-provoking ideas at the intersection of images and theology.

David taught for fourteen years at Oxford and for seventeen at Durham before becoming Professor of Theology, Aesthetics & Culture at the University of St. Andrews in 2007. In recent years he has focused on interactions between theology and the arts and indeed culture more generally. This resulted in a series of five books for Oxford University Press: "Tradition and Imagination," "Discipleship and Imagination," "God and Enchantment of Place," "God and Grace of Body" and "God and Mystery in Words." David was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2002, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2012. His most recent book is "Gospel as Work of Art: Imaginative Truth and the Open Text." In this episode, David and I discuss architecture, worship, and imagination. From the symbolism of stained glass to the impact of architectural design on the worship experience, we draw parallels between Hindu temples, Jewish synagogues, and churches as we explore the nature of sacred space. We also talked about how aesthetic and religious experience overlap but also differ in important ways.

Christina is the author of four books and over 100 articles and essays on medieval Armenian art and architecture, including most recently, "The Art of Armenia." Her 2015 monograph, "Vigilant Powers: Three Churches of Early Medieval Armenia" won the Karen Gould Prize for Art History from the Medieval Academy of America as well as the Sona Aronian Prize for best Armenian Studies monograph from the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research. She has worked on issues of cultural heritage for over a decade, with a focus on the at-risk Armenian churches and monasteries in what is now Eastern Turkey. ​In this episode, Christina and I discuss the distinctive traits of Armenian religious architecture, its significance in Christian and architectural history, and the interplay between exterior and interior elements in creating sacred space. From their reflection of Orthodox theology to the unique history of Ani, we delved into how Armenian churches differ from other traditions.

Saurav is a writer and filmmaker primarily known for his work on the crime-noir graphic novel Mumbai Confidential and his collaboration with Deepak Chopra for the comic book series Deepak Chopra Presents India Authentic. He is also the author of the essay “Echoes Of Eternity” for the Graven Images anthology that examined Hindu reincarnation motifs in American Superhero comics, especially in the work of Grant Morisson’s “Animal Man” and Alan Moore’s “Supreme.” ​In this episode, Saurav and I discuss the intriguing intersection of religion and comic books as we compare aspects of Hinduism and Christianity. We explored how themes like sacrifice, morality, and resilience in superhero narratives resonate with theological concepts from these two traditions, revealing the universal aspects underlying both religions. Whether examining parallels with ancient religious art or the modern dilemmas of comic characters, we navigated the rich landscape where theology and comics converge.

Petra is professor of systematic theology and head of the Center for Theology, Ecology, and Culture at Stockholm School of Theology. She does research in the borderland of theology, art, performance, and environmental activism. She is co-founder of a surrealist and theology collective called The International Congress for Infrathin Studies. She is the author of "Mysticism as Revolt", "Foucault, Art, and Radical Theology: The Mystery of Things" and "Avantgarde Art and Radical Material Theology: A Manifesto". Petra is also an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church of Sweden. ​In this episode, Petra and I discuss the intersection of aesthetics, spirituality, and theology, exploring Michel Foucault's groundbreaking work on painting and its impact on the contemporary understanding of materiality and corporeality in spirituality. From 20th-century philosophers bridging the gap between art and theology to the use of diverse imagery in representing religious beliefs, we navigated the complex terrain where radical theology, mysticism, and political artistic activism converge.

Robert is a cultural theologian residing in Los Angeles. He currently serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, and as a Tutor at the Honors College, Azusa Pacific University. He directs the Center for Pastoral Residents, Christ Church Sierra Madre, and works as the Director of Vocational Discipleship at the Center for Faith + Work Los Angeles.​ Robert’s 2020 book “Fashion Theology" was nominated for the Grawmeyer Award in Religion. In addition, Robert has over 70 publications, including the newly released “Neo-Calvinism and the Arts” in the T & T Clark Handbook to Neo-Calvinism.​ In this episode, Robert and I discuss the intriguing relationship between fashion and theology, exploring their historical intersections, the symbolic aspects of fashion, and the impact of clothing on spirituality.

Ali Hussain is a musician and poet. He has a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Michigan, Department of Middle East Studies. His research focuses on the image of Jesus in the writings of Muslim polymath Muhyiddin Ibn Al-Arabi and later Muslim scholars. His other research interests include Islam and Sufism in America, art and creativity in Islam and the creative engagement that Sufi mystics have with Arabic through the mediation of the Quran. In 2018, he founded "The Adhwaq Center for Spirituality, Culture and the Arts", a nonprofit organization focused on spirituality and creativity in contemporary culture. ​In this episode, Ali and I explore the intersection of Christian mysticism and Sufism in the realm of art and spirituality. As representatives of Christianity and Islam, we share a love of the mystical schools in each tradition, and we had an amazing interfaith dialogue. We discussed everything from the mystical nature of the creative process, to the influence of the great Sufi mystic Ibn Arabi, the search for the sacred in everyday life, and the role of representation in visual art and popular media.

Rachel is Gilkison Distinguished Professor of Art History at Taylor University. She has been a Visiting Scholar at the American Academy in Rome on two occasions, a participant in NEH Summer Seminars on Medieval Art in Paris and York, has been a seminar leader for artists and scholars in the US and abroad, and has taught in South Africa, China, Italy, and British Columbia. Rachel is a founding director and current President of the Board of The Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art. The recipient of the Best Article of the Year Award from the journal Explorations in Renaissance Culture, she publishes on a wide range of topics in the arts. ​In this episode, Rachel and I discussed questions around the place and role of spirituality in contemporary art. We talked about her recent book on the subject and her various projects across a broad range of projects and exhibitions. We also explored how diverse artists navigate spirituality, cultural differences, and environmental consciousness through their artwork.