Theology of the Body Institute Press releases the first-ever English language edition of a long-lost treasure from the St. John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) archives. Originally delivered in 1962 for artists, "God Is Beauty" features Karol Wojtyla's penetrating spiritual exercises on divine beauty and its reflection in our humanity (and in the art we produce). The retreat itself, of course, forms the heart of this attractive volume. To aid you in mining its many riches, it is followed by an extensive commentary by Dr. Christopher West and various shorter reflections from authors who are distinguished in the fields of theology and art and whose hearts and works have been transformed by the themes in this retreat.In this book, you will be shown:* The interior journey of "the ache" an artist must take to produce transcendent art.* How artists should process the tensions in life that can inform their work.* The one thing necessary to make everyone's life a reflection of divine beauty.Reflections from artists and theologians who are living out the themes of this retreat. * A road map for the Church to reclaim its role as the world's Patron of the Arts. Saint John Paul II (born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in 1920) was an actor, poet, and playwright before being ordained to the priesthood in Communist-occupied Poland in 1946. Ordained a bishop in 1958, he contributed significantly to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and was made a cardinal by Saint Paul VI in 1967. After the second papal conclave of 1978, Wojtyla became the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years. Having successfully fulfilled what he considered to be his mission to lead the Church into the third millennium, he died as one of the longest reigning popes in history on April 2, 2005. He was beatified by his immediate successor Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2011, and canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014.

Innovative and lavishly illustrated, Painting the Gospel offers an indispensable contribution to conversations about African American art, theology, politics, and identity in Chicago. Kymberly N. Pinder escorts readers on an eye-opening odyssey to the murals, stained glass, and sculptures dotting the city's African American churches and neighborhoods. Moving from Chicago's oldest black Christ figure to contemporary religious street art, Pinder explores ideas like blackness in public, art for black communities, and the relationship of Afrocentric art to Black Liberation Theology. She also focuses attention on art excluded from scholarship due to racial or religious particularity. Throughout, she reflects on the myriad ways private black identities assert public and political goals through imagery. Painting the Gospel includes maps and tour itineraries that allow readers to make conceptual, historical, and geographical connections among the works.

Is contemporary art a friend or foe of Christianity? Art historian, critic, and curator Daniel Siedell, addresses this question and presents a framework for interpreting art from a Christian worldview in God in the Gallery: A Christian Embrace of Modern Art. As such, it is an excellent companion to Francis Schaeffer's classic Art and the Bible. Divided into three parts--"Theology," "History," and "Practice"--God in the Gallery demonstrates that art is in conversation with and not opposed to the Christian faith. In addition, this book is beautifully enhanced with images from such artists as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Enrique Martínez Celaya, and others. Readers of this book will include professors, students, artists, and anyone interested in Christianity and culture.

Is the Trinity biblical? Is it necessary to affirm God as three persons in one being? Despite a renewed interest in the Trinity in recent years, many Christians, including most evangelicals, either relegate the Son of God to creaturely status or repudiate the personhood of the Holy Spirit. In addition, numerous scholars affirm that the doctrine of the Trinity is not clearly revealed in Scripture. Is the Trinity merely a philosophical construction, or is it essential to orthodox Christianity? Drawing on hermeneutics and biblical and historical theology, Malcolm Yarnell crafts a careful and clear response to these issues through exegesis of pivotal texts from both testaments. He meticulously examines the foundational Hebrew confession known as the Shema, Matthew's great commission, the divine relations in the Gospel of John, Paul's Corinthian benediction, the opening hymn of Ephesians, and the throne room vision of the Apocalypse. Also considered are the relationships of language to revelation and history to metaphysics, along with recent appeals to recover patristic exegesis and the Christian imagination. He also challenges the reader to discern the implications of the Trinity for personal salvation as well as corporate worship.

Ministering doesn't have to be complex to be effective. As you prayerfully consider how best to serve those you minister to, check out this supportive guide for creative activity ideas and ready-made, beautifully designed quotes and scriptures you can tear out and deliver with a thoughtful note to show how much you care. It even includes ways you can involve your entire family as you serve others. Pair your inspiration with this resource to meet the needs of those around you.

What does art have to do with faith? For many Christians, paintings, films, music, and other forms of art are simply used for wall decoration, entertaining distraction, or worshipful devotion. But what if the arts played a more prominent role in the Christian life? In Discovering God through the Arts, discover how the arts can be tools for faith-building, life-changing spiritual formation for all Christians. Terry Glaspey, author of 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know, examines: How the arts assist us in prayer and contemplation How the arts help us rediscover a sense of wonder How the arts help us deal with emotions How the arts aid theological reflection and so much more. Let your faith be enriched, and discover how beauty and creativity can draw you nearer to the ultimate Creator.