Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty

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.

• Contents1. IntroductionFoundation in ScriptureOverview of the Book2. Luther's Use of PhilosophyThe Scope of Philosophy in the Late Medieval UniversityNominalism and RealismLuther's Divergences from NominalismAristotle's Inadequacies and AdequaciesEarly Appropriation of PlatoThe Question of Double TruthPriority of Grammar over LogicThe Semantics of the New TongueConclusion3. Luther on GoodnessBrief Overview of Medieval Views of GoodnessJustification and GoodnessOmnipotence and Divine GoodnessGoodness as the Heart of GodComparison with Medieval PerspectivesConclusion4. The Early Luther on BeautyProportionality, Light, and DesireBeauty as a TranscendentalBeauty in the Theology of HumilityBeauty and the Question of FormConclusion5. The Mature Luther on BeautyBeauty Sub Contrario in Selected Psalms (1530s)Beauty in the Lectures on Galatians (1535)Lectures on Genesis (1535 and Following)Conclusion6. Luther on the Theology and Beauty of MusicMusic as a Creation and Gift of GodLuther's Response to the Ancient Church's Mixed Receptionof MusicLuther's Response to Reformed Reservations about MusicThe Affectivity of Music as Embodied WordCriteria for Beauty in MusicPoetic Summary of Luther's View of MusicConclusion7. Luther on Visual ImagingThe Role of Images in the Early ChurchCritique of Medieval Veneration of IconsCritique of IconoclasmWord as PortrayalA Covered GodConclusion8. Luther and Nouvelle ThéologieThe Ambiguity of the InfiniteAn Enchanted WorldThe Strange Beauty of the CrossThe Goals of the Nouvelle TheologieThe Question of ParticipationThe Question of HierarchyThe Question of Pure NatureConclusion9. Luther for a Contemporary Theology of BeautySummary of ResultsBeauty of Christ RevisitedCreaturely Beauty RevisitedGod as Beautiful RevisitedLuther in Contrast to Modern Views of BeautyThe SublimeRevisiting FormBeauty and PreachingIndexes