Theology, ontology and the philosophy of art, with special reference to Paul Tillich and the Dutch Neo-Calvinists
This thesis examines the relationship between the philosophy of art on the one hand, and Christian theology and ontology on the other. In Part I, Paul Tillich's interpretation of art is presented against the background of the development of his metaphysics and ontology. It is argued that the connection between the two is close and the influence reciprocal. A critical evaluation of Tillich reveals that he fails to provide Christ-centred, non-symbolic, objective criteria of truth in art. In Part II, the Dutch Neo-Calvinist tradition is surveyed with reference to Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Klass Schilder, Herman Dooyeweerd, Hans Rookmaaker and Calvin Seerveld. By way of critisism, a dichotomy between creation and redemption is detected, due to an inadequate methodological grasp of the Headship of Christ. There is also a legalistic doctrine of God, a law-dominated doctrine of creation, and an undue emphasis on man's duty and obedience, particularly in culture. Although it is noted that the Neo-Calvinists offer objective Christian criteria of artistic value, their emphasis on beauty as the qualifying characteristic of art is rejected. In Part III, a Christological integration of creation and redemption is
Begbie, Jeremy S.
Philosophy
Theology, ontology and the philosophy of art, with special reference to Paul Tillich and the Dutch Neo-Calvinists. This thesis examines the relationship between the philosophy of art on the one hand, and Christian theology and ontology on the other. In Part I, Paul Tillich's interpretation of art is presented against the background of the development of his metaphysics and ontology. It is argued that the connection between the two is close and the influence reciprocal. A critical evaluation of Tillich reveals that he fails to provide Christ-centred, non-symbolic, objective criteria of truth in art. In Part II, the Dutch Neo-Calvinist tradition is surveyed with reference to Abraham Kuyper, Herman Bavinck, Klass Schilder, Herman Dooyeweerd, Hans Rookmaaker and Calvin Seerveld. By way of critisism, a dichotomy between creation and redemption is detected, due to an inadequate methodological grasp of the Headship of Christ. There is also a legalistic doctrine of God, a law-dominated doctrine of creation, and an undue emphasis on man's duty and obedience, particularly in culture. Although it is noted that the Neo-Calvinists offer objective Christian criteria of artistic value, their emphasis on beauty as the qualifying characteristic of art is rejected. In Part III, a Christological integration of creation and redemption is
theology ontology philosophy_art special_reference paul_tillich dutch neo examines_relationship philosophy_art one_hand christian_theology ontology other part paul_tillich interpretation art present background development metaphysics ontology argue connection close influence reciprocal critical_evaluation tillich reveal fails provide christ centred non symbolic objective criterion truth art part dutch neo calvinist tradition survey reference abraham hans calvin way dichotomy creation redemption detect due inadequate methodological grasp headship christ also doctrine_god law dominated doctrine creation emphasis man duty obedience particularly culture although note neo offer objective christian criterion artistic value emphasis beauty qualify characteristic art reject part_iii christological integration creation redemption