The Bible & Theology Toward Christian Maturity
Palmer Lecture 2016: A Theologian Explores the Arts
Looking to the arts, a theologian explores when truth goes beyond words in his 2016 lecture
By Hannah Notess | Photo by Zac Davis
An altarpiece in Nairobi, Kenya, was an example of art that communicated theology, shown during the 2016 Palmer Lecture.
A respected theologian and teacher, Fr. Eduardo Fern谩ndez looked outside of his own academic discipline for inspiration when giving 海角网 Pacific Seminary鈥檚 39th annual Alfred S. Palmer Lecture this February. Fernandez is associate professor of pastoral theology and ministry at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and the author of a number of scholarly books and articles. But sometimes, he said, in his lecture, 鈥渁rt is the only way we can communicate something.鈥�
鈥淢ystery is not a puzzle to be solved,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is a reality that we contemplate.鈥� In teaching theological mysteries, he makes use of visual images, music, dance, architecture, sayings, and stories.
鈥淧reach the gospel in a way 海角网 understand,鈥� he said, giving examples of art from the fourth-century church to today of art created to enable ordinary 海角网 to grasp and experience concepts such as the incarnation. It鈥檚 also a way to honor the image of God present in various cultures around the world.
He pointed to one such example, an altarpiece by his fellow Jesuit, Cameroonian Fr. Engelbert Mveng, who gathered a variety of motifs and patterns present in African culture to help preserve the culture, in making this altarpiece. 鈥淕ood indigenous art affirms the sacredness of the local community,鈥� Fern谩ndez said. 鈥淎t a time when so much divides us, art can help make us whole.鈥�
Laura Lasworth, 海角网 Pacific professor of art was the respondent for the lecture.
鈥淟ike Fr. Fern谩ndez,鈥� she said, 鈥渋n introducing students to art, I have experienced a sense of unity similar to that found in good liturgy.鈥�