Images of the Divine : : The Theology of Icons at the Seventh Ecumenical Council / / Ambrosios Giakalis.

• Superior document: Studies in the History of Christian Traditions ; 54
• VerfasserIn: Giakalis, Ambrosios,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden; , Boston : : Brill,, 1993.
• Year of Publication: 1993
• Language: English
• Series: Studies in the History of Christian Traditions ; 54.; Studies in the History of Christian Traditions Online.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource.

This book examines the theology of icons in the eighth century, the most critical period in the evolution of the Eastern Church's teaching on images. The principal source is provided by the acta of the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787. The political circumstances which led to the outbreak of the controversy over icons are discussed in detail but the main emphasis is on the theological arguments and presuppositions of the participants in the council. Major themes include the nature of tradition, the relationship between image and reality and the place of christology. Ultimately the argument over icons was about the accessibility of the divine. Icons were held by the iconophiles to communicate a deifying grace which raised the believer to participation in the life of God.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / Ambrosios Giakalis and Henry Chadwick -- Foreword / Henry Chadwick -- Preface / Ambrosios Giakalis -- Chapter One Introduction / Henry Chadwick -- Chapter Two Icon and Tradition / Henry Chadwick -- Chapter Three Icon as an Agent of Truth / Henry Chadwick -- Chapter Four Icon and Reality / Henry Chadwick -- Chapter Five Icon and Christology / Henry Chadwick -- Chapter Six Icon and Worship / Henry Chadwick -- Chapter Seven The Significance of the Council / Henry Chadwick -- Abbreviations / Ambrosios Giakalis and Henry Chadwick -- Bibliography / Ambrosios Giakalis and Henry Chadwick -- Index of Names and Places / Ambrosios Giakalis and Henry Chadwick -- Index of Subjects / Ambrosios Giakalis and Henry Chadwick -- Studies in the History of Christian thought / Ambrosios Giakalis and Henry Chadwick.