Religious Education and Via Pulchritudinis
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444). This special issue belongs to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2023) | Viewed by 26820
Special Issue Editors
Interests: catechetics; religious education; education and values
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue of Religions is dedicated to the topic of religious education and aesthetics, or the path of beauty (via pulchritudinis). It is a topic that we can understand very broadly and that encompasses different dimensions of the relationship between religion—especially the Christian faith—and art. The goal is, on the one hand, to deepen knowledge about theology, beauty and art, as well as their interaction. On the other hand, we want to explore the via pulchritudinis as a privileged path of evangelization, religious education and dialogue.
Culture and art have always been woven into theological considerations. Contemporary popes as well as the Pontifical Council for Culture have emphasized the complementarity of art and religion and highlighted the importance of the via pulchritudinis for dialogue and the transmission of faith. Even ancient philosophy promotes the ideal of the unity of truth, good and beauty as a path towards the greatest Good. A work of art can open the eyes of the mind and heart, and direct the human spirit towards transcendence. Artistic beauty awakens inner emotion, evokes rapture in silence and leads to "coming out of oneself", to ecstasy. This especially comes to the fore in the context of the liturgy, in which artistic creative transfiguration and transformation of thinking and action pervade. For believers, however, beauty goes beyond the question of aesthetics. Every work of Christian art, such as paintings and mosaics, sculptures and architecture, works of poetry and prose, music and dance, as well as photography, film and theatre pieces, is a reality that points to the admiration of the Absolute and, thus, to a deeper discovery of meaning.
Works of art of Christian inspiration, which constitute a significant part of the artistic and cultural heritage of humanity, arouse considerable interest among people of different origins. At the same time, there is a growing lack of knowledge of the content and meaning of religious culture, which is also true for Christian art. In fact, the common character of religion and art is the language of symbols. Religious education plays an indispensable role in understanding the depth of symbolic meanings. Therefore, within the framework of religious education, special attention should be paid to the path of beauty. However, the criterion of its authenticity cannot be only aesthetic. Authentic beauty must be distinguished from the seemingly beautiful but empty forms and from the superficiality of kitsch. Beauty is inextricably linked with goodness and truth. Contemplating beauty evokes feelings of joy, satisfaction and fullness, opening a person to transcendence. Therefore, it is necessary to sensitize catechists, pastoral workers and theologians to the path of beauty so that their preaching could lead to divine beauty.
Papers that explore and present the relationship between theology and art and the relationship between the path of beauty, evangelization, religious education and dialogue are more than welcome. Theologians, philosophers, artists, historians and religious educators are invited to publish their papers in this Special Issue.
Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Catechesis, evangelization and via pulchritudinis
- Theology and art
- The power of imagery in religious education
- Methods of working with imagery in religious education
- Aesthetic learning
- Sacred and religious art
- Efforts in the promotion of sacred art
- Contemplation (prayer) and beauty
- Via pulchritudinis as a privileged path of dialogue
- Languages of Christian art and beauty
- Biblical literacy in understanding Christian art
- Formal and substantive aspects of sacred and religious art
- Art and kitsch
- The speech of symbols in art and religion
- Creativity and imagination in art and religion
- Cultural and artistic heritage of the Church in evangelization and catechesis
- Sensitization of pastoral workers, catechists and religious education teachers for Christian art
- Critical evaluation of different aesthetic models in the context of religious education and theology
- Synthesis of faith and culture within the religious and sacred art of the local Church
- Art in liturgy
- Aesthetic and religious experience
- Communication of religious truth through a work of art
We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the guest editors (ruzica.razum@gmail.com; nenad.malovic@vz.t-com.hr) or to the Religions editorial office (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the guest editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.
Prof. Dr. Ružica Razum
Dr. Nenad Malović
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- via pulchritudinis
- religious education
- theology of beauty
- religious art
- culture
- Christian art
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