The Christian Studies Shelf

Jesus in Art and Literature
Pierre-Marie Dumont
Distribution General
c/o University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9781639670062, $50.00, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Art-Literature-Pierre-Marie-Dumont/dp/16396700=
68

Synopsis: Throughout history, Jesus of Nazareth has unquestionably been an = inspirational subject for great works of art and literature. His life and m= essage have strongly permeated Western art of all periods, influencing gian=
ts such as Fra Angelico, Picasso, Tolstoy, and Houellebecq.

With the publication of "Jesus in Art and Literature", Pierre-Marie Dumont = has chosen nearly one hundred eclectic iconographic works of art, analyzing=
and comparing them to passages from the Bible and excerpts from great lite= rary texts. Richly illustrated, "Jesus in Art and Literature" offers the re= ader an extraordinary variety of aesthetic interpretations of the life of J= esus and his teaching, from early Christian to modern art. Through works as=
diverse as The Hand of God by Auguste Rodin, The Resurrection of Lazarus b=
y Rembrandt, and the "Hidden God" by Blaise Pascal, Mr. Dumont highlights t=
he evocative power of the figure of Jesus, who for Christians is the "Chris=
t of God."

Critique: A simply magnificent and impressively informative coffee-table st= yle volume (9.33 x 11.25, 1.79 pounds), "Jesus in Art and Literature" by Pi= erre-Marie Dumont is ably translated into English by Michael J. Miller and =
an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, church, communi= ty, and academic library Christian Studies and Art History collections and = supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Editor and author of many books about art and spirituality,=
Pierre-Marie Dumontis (https://www.magnificat.net/foundation/about_us.asp)=
the creator and founding publisher of Magnificat, a monthly Catholic magaz= ine with a readership of 500,000 in the United States and editions in five = other languages throughout the world. The preface is by Edwart Vignot, an a=
rt historian specializing in 19th-century painting, as well as an author, j= ournalist, visual artist, and videographer. Appointed an officer of the Ord=
er of Arts and Letters in 2016, he notably wrote Eugene Delacroix (Place de=
s Victoires, 2017) and L'aquarelle et ses maitres (Place des Victoires, 201= 8).

New Testament Readings & Devotionals, Volume 3
C.M.H. Koenig (compiler)
C.M.H. Koenig Books (through IngramSpark)
www.cmhkoenigbooks.net
9781956475302, $14.99, PB

https://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Readings-Devotionals-3/dp/1956475303

Like its predecessors, the third volume of New Testament Readings & Devotio= nals represents an opportunity to better absorb, understand, and study the = New Testament with an eye to contemplating and discussing God and Christian= ity.

It profiles the works of thinkers Robert Hawker, Charles H. Spurgeon, and O= ctavius Winslow, juxtaposing their reflective writings with Biblical passag=
es and insights designed to both enlighten readers and lead them to think d= eeper about Biblical passages and their contemporary meaning. Readings from=
Acts, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1& 2 Timothy, and othe=
r books from the New Testament offer reflections from AD 50/60 up to Revela= tion's end times warnings, creating insights which range from historical se= ttings and background information to analytical and critical explorations t= hat lend particularly well to group discussion and Bible study.

Footnotes (some extensive) provide further cross-references to relevant Bib= lical sections which expand and augment the three writers' insights, allowi=
ng Biblical study groups the food for thought and cross-referenced passages=
necessary to better understand the Bible's wording, concepts, and presenta= tion.

As in the other books in compiler C.M.H. Koenig's growing reference library=
, this offers Biblical students a unique opportunity to pair the reflection=
s of three Christian thinkers to the basic tenants of the Bible. The focus =
on these works in this manner translates to an effective method of applying=
traditional Biblical events and concepts to contemporary life and thinking=
, making New Testament Readings & Devotionals another rich tool in the Chri= stian thinker's arsenal of spiritual understanding and reflection.

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