Mark Mattes and Paul Hinlicky
Luther’s theology of beauty and desire
Luthers Theologie der Schönheit und des Begehrens
This seminar will address Luther’s appropriation of ancient and medieval views of beauty and desire in his commentaries, spiritual writings, and sermons with the intent of discerning its current relevance of theology. Seminar members will explore how Luther treated the transcendental status of beauty in his teaching and preaching. Appropriate seminar papers will include themes dealing with the role of desire in Luther’s thinking, his view of Christ as beautiful, Adam’s attributes in the Genesis Commentary, the role of the senses in Luther, Luther’s attitude about images and music, and its effect on developments among Lutheran artists and musicians. Papers should ground their work in specific Luther texts, seek a distinctively theological focus, and draw out contemporary implications of his work (when appropriate).