The Beauty of the Infinite is a splendid extended essay in "theological aesthetics." David Bentley Hart here meditates on the power of a Christian understanding of beauty and sublimity to rise above the violence -- both philosophical and literal -- characteristic of the postmodern world. The book begins by tracing the shifting use and nature of metaphysics in the thought of Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Lyotard, Derrida, Deleuze, Nancy, Levinas, and others. Hart pays special attention to Nietzsche's famous narrative of the "will to power" -- a narrative largely adopted by the world today -- and he offers an engaging revision (though not rejection) of the genealogy of nihilism, thereby highlighting the significant "interruption" that Christian thought introduced into the history of metaphysics. This discussion sets the stage for a retrieval of the classic Christian account of beauty and sublimity, and of the relation of both to the question of being. Written in the form of a dogmatica minora, this main section of the book offers a pointed reading of the Christian story in four moments, or parts: Trinity, creation, salvation, and eschaton. Through a combination of narrative and argument throughout, Hart ends up demonstrating the power of Christian metaphysics not only to withstand the critiques of modern and postmodern thought but also to move well beyond them. Strikingly original and deeply rewarding, The Beauty of the Infinite is both a constructively critical account of the history of metaphysics and a compelling contribution to it.

* Includes many rare and unseen photos of Elizabeth Taylor* Features images from the archives of seven top photographers: Douglas Kirkland, Milton Greene, Gered Mankowitz, Norman Parkinson, Eva Sereny, Terry O'Neill and Gary Bernstein* Introduction by Terrence Pepper, OBE & former Head of Photographs at The National Portrait Gallery, LondonElizabeth Taylor was the face of classical Hollywood. As one of the 20th century's most loved stars, her image is instantly recognizable the world over. ACC Art Books and Iconic Images proudly present the work of seven wonderful photographers - Douglas Kirkland, Milton Greene, Gered Mankowitz, Norman Parkinson, Eva Sereny, Terry O'Neill and Gary Bernstein - who were fortunate enough to capture the star at different moments of her life. In addition, former Curator of Photographs for the National Portrait Gallery, Terence Pepper, provides a personal introduction, making this ode to Taylor truly unique. Throughout the book, the photographers share their memories of working with the icon. They present a wonderful mix of on-set, fashion, portrait and behind-the-scenes photographs, including contact sheets and never-before-seen images. Forever Elizabeth keeps the legend of Elizabeth Taylor alive.

As news reports of the horrific December 2004 tsunami in Asia reached the rest of the world, commentators were quick to seize upon the disaster as proof of either God s power or God s nonexistence, asking over and over, How could a good and loving God if such exists allow such suffering? In The Doors of the Sea David Bentley Hart speaks at once to those skeptical of Christian faith and to those who use their Christian faith to rationalize senseless human suffering. He calls both to recognize in the worst catastrophes not the providential will of God but rather the ongoing struggle between the rebellious powers that enslave the world and the God who loves it wholly.

INFINITY IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS… Infinity is commonly assumed to be a logical concept, reliable for conducting mathematics, describing the Universe, and understanding the divine. Most of us are educated to take for granted that there exist infinite sets of numbers, that lines contain an infinite number of points, that space is infinite in expanse, that time has an infinite succession of events, that possibilities are infinite in quantity, and over half of the world’s population believes in a divine Creator infinite in knowledge, power, and benevolence. According to this treatise, such assumptions are mistaken. In reality, to be is to be finite. The implications of this assessment are profound: the Universe and even God must necessarily be finite. The author makes a compelling case against infinity, refuting its most prominent advocates. Any defense of the infinite will find it challenging to answer the arguments laid out in this book. But regardless of the reader’s position, Forever Finite offers plenty of thought-provoking material for anyone interested in the subject of infinity from the perspectives of philosophy, mathematics, science, and theology.

Kay Channon's poetry is honest and raw. She shares images and thoughts which delicately convey the isolation, pain and melancholy of her circumstances. Yet her work echoes with a nuanced self-reflection, which draws hope and strength from the rain, a Slovenian philosopher, and ultimately, from poetry itself. This is the debut collection from a poet who is already bringing a new voice to the timeless themes of love, death and the search for meaning. 'Her voice speaks out with such feeling, ardour and memorable gentleness.' Faysal Mikdadi PhD FRSA Kay is studying poetry in the context of disability culture, cyberculture, and the formation of hybrid identities at the University of Chichester. Born at 26 weeks, and having to deal with lifelong health issues arising from this, Kay says, "The Dark Side of Light drifted in and out of an abyss which spoke of an unavoidable silence. As I became more familiar with this space, I realised there was so much more to listen to than the inaudible beat of my heart..."

Building on the insights of the ressourcement theology of grace, this sophisticated theological aesthetics offers a fresh vision of the doctrine of creation through a consideration of the beauty of time. Conventional eschatological accounts of life after death tend to emphasize the discontinuity between earthly life and the hereafter: whereas this life is subject to the contingencies of time, life after death is characterized by a stolid eternity. In contrast to this standard view, John E. Thiel’s Now and Forever articulates a Catholic eschatology in which earthly life and heavenly life are seen as gracefully continuous. This account offers a reconceptualization of time, which, Thiel argues, is best understood as the sacramental medium of God’s grace to creation. Thiel’s project thus attempts to rescue time from its Platonically negative resonance in the doctrine of creation. Rather than viewing time as the ambiance of sinful dissolution, Thiel argues for a Christian vision of time’s beauty, and so explicitly develops an aesthetics that views time as a creaturely reflection of God’s own Trinitarian life. This thesis proceeds from the assumption that all time is eschatological time and is thus guided by attention to the temporality implicit in the virtue of hope, with its orientation toward a fulfilled future that culminates in resurrected life. This interpretation of the beauty of eschatological time in its widest expanse presses further the insight of ressourcement theology that grace is everywhere, while appreciating how time’s graceful beauty manifests itself in the diversity of temporal moments, human communities, and most fully in the heavenly communion of the saints.

Inspired by Dennis' life and his lifelong search for balance between body and spirit, and by the research and learning he has gained through his life experiences, this book offers you the secrets of how you can live a life full of Power Passion and Vitality. Dennis believes that many of the secrets to living a balanced life are held in the past. Through this book, he will share these secrets with you. Wherever you are in your life right now - you can live a full life with happiness, power, passion and vitality, for the rest of your life.