Sacred Art and the Passion Narrative

From its earliest history Christianity has been attended by images and other art forms to facilitate personal devotion and corporate contemplation. In this course we will consider these practices and the vital role of the aesthetic. As an example we will turn to the Passion narratives of the Gospels with specific attention to the Stations of the Cross. Drawing on theological, liturgical and artistic resources ancient and modern will allow us to discern their value and shaping influence for spiritual life. These resources embraced by the imagination can serve to impact both personal and social practices taken up by the faith community. The material we cover will highlight the important relationship between the aesthetic, the theological and the spiritual and will provide a glimpse into the rich interplay of art and theology in the liturgy of the church and in the lives of ordinary believers. Through lectures, class discussions and weekly readings we will gain fresh perspective on how to engage the energy of the arts for the life of faith. Lectures for the various topics covered will draw on faculty from the TST community of colleges. This course is scheduled to coincide with an International Exhibition of original art by Canadian artists taking place during Lent of 2022, responding to the Scriptural Stations of the Cross. Much of the exhibition will be located on the University campus. See crossingstoronto.org