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God's Human Face: The Christ Icon Paperback – October 1, 1994

by Christopher Schönborn (Author), Lothar Krauth (Translator)

4.3 20 ratings

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The principal editor of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, presents the sources of meditation on the mystery of God's human face from the great Masters of early Christianity.

Artists and theologians have meditated upon the mystery of God's human countenance and tried to express it. This book seeks to present the great sources of this meditation--sources which today are widely unknown, or have become foreign or obscure. These sources are above all the great masters of early Christianity. In their meditation upon Christ, Cardinal Schonborn seeks the sources of the art on the Icon.

The reader will find not only an engaging introduction to the meaning and beauty of Icons, but an invitation to draw closer to the One who inspired these Masters of theological expression and holy art. Includes beautiful color Icon illustrations.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ignatius Pr (October 1, 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0898705142
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0898705140
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #484,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #841 in Christology (Books)

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4.3 20 ratings

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Sharon O.

Thoughtful and Readable

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2018

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I'm in about 100 pages, and am thoroughly impressed. This is a very deep, yet orderly and completely readable book on Jesus as God in the flesh. I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far, and can hardly wait to finish it!

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matt

Knowing the Father through Jesus Christ

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2004

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Schonborn does a masterful job in presenting the Trinitarian and Christological foundations of iconography. Actually, I use this book mostly for the Christological sections. It is VERY well done! All the major and minor aspects of Christology are examined and continually related to the role and meaning of the Incarnation and, thus, the meaning and role of icons. A few well chosen color icons are in the book.
This work is highly recommended. I wish I could buy it for you!

8 people found this helpful

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conan curry

Not for beginners

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2014

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A great perspective on the history of icon theology, but not recommended to anyone with little to no knowledge of christology. Make sure you have a good understanding of the first seven ecumenical councils before picking up this book.

One person found this helpful

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PeterS

Strong on conciliar sources; weak on Scripture

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2014

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In-depth exploration of the development of conciliar-ecclesiastical and patristic theologies of [and leading to] icons. Mostly weak on biblical sources.

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UnrepeatableBlessings

A recent classic

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018

Cardinal Schönborn's book is an excellent piece of scholarship. It covers major points of Christology through the lens of icon theology. It shows how patristic thinkers thought of Christ as the true image of the Father as well as the image of redeemed humanity. Thus there is a sense in which the spiritual life is a matter of being conformed to the image of Christ.

Importantly, Schönborn provides a great analysis of the iconoclast controversy and of major theological viewpoints on both sides. This makes it indispensable for an advanced Christology course; hence, I always assign it to my graduate Christology students. I could also see parts of the book being useful for upper-level undergraduate courses. Schönborn's prose takes some skill, especially since he is processing patristic texts, but he is also a good, clear writer, so it's not the most difficult or inaccessible text. In fact, it's the most accessible text I've ever found on the icon controversy.

It's a terrible shame that the book has now gone out of print. I will be surprised if Ignatius never reissues the book, because it is clearly a classic. In the meantime there is a Kindle version.

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Didaskalex

God's Human Face: Best ever written on anthropological theology of Icons

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2004

"Incarnation of God the Word, as a realization of the perfect man." As such his disclosure to us reveals who God is and who we are as perfected in God. (cited in Ouspensky 483)

Christ, God's supreme icon:
St. Irenaeus wrote, "When the Word of God became flesh, He showed forth the image truly, since He himself became what was His image; and He reestablished the likeness -- by rendering man altogether similar to the invisible Father." Christ is the supreme icon of God and the supreme icon of humanity divinized.
When we think of icons, it is almost, by default, that we think instantly of 'written' images of Jesus and the saints. Developing the New Testament implication of the image of God in Christ, Leonid Ouspensky, Orthodox theologian and icon expert wrote, "Christianity raises the image of Christ before the world. Christianity shows the prototype according to which man was created, now hidden because of his sin. This image lives in Tradition, the mystical memory of the Church, its inner life."

Christ, true image of God:
Eastern Orthodox and Greek Byzantines refer to icons as being 'written' rather than painted, since icons are treated as theological texts, a graphical depiction of scripture. Only Christ is the true image of God. Christ is the prototypical icon: Whoever experience Christ does enter mystically into the Father's presence, in fullness. The icon's place in the church liturgical life is derived from the living personal existence, in whom the unity of the nature of God with sanctified human beings is vividly clear. Through Christ and in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, human beings are called to something more. Humans are called and allowed to be images of Christ.

Creative Iconographic theology:
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn discerns the depth of the truth of Cyril's teaching on the unity of Christ, masterfully exposing Origen's Iconclastic Christology, and compares two of his students St. Athanasius and Arius place of image in their systematic theology of the Person of the Word. Eusebius' view, midway between the Orthodox and neoplatonist, expressed a third way of interpreting their common master Origen. The enlightened Cardinal presents the most fascinating expression in the real great Eastern Orthodox, Maximus the confessor, Love as the Icon of God. Part II, the Church sliding into paganism would appeal to Protestants, but is relevant to all of us.

Thanks, your Eminence:
I am amazed and humbled by those authentic Orthodox Catholics who know our fathers, doctors (teachers) of the Church, in such depth and loving understanding that preaches the real unity of the One Holy Universal Apostolic Church. This authentic teacher who wrote "From Death to Life, The Christian Journey," and further, "Living the Catechism: life in Christ," wrote the most compelling, in depth thorough study on the roots of iconography, and a reflection on its supporting Christologies.
I encountered no other book on the subject which ever explained, so deeply the true meaning of God's Human Face. So, read, learn, and meditate on anthropological theology, Christology, and Patrology, all flowing in order,logic and harmony.

12 people found this helpful

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matt

One of the best intros on the subject

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2000

Schonborn does a masterful job in presenting the Trinitarian and Christological foundations of iconography. Actually, I use this book mostly for the Christological sections. It is VERY well done! All the major and minor aspects of Christology are examined and continually related to the role and meaning of the Incarnation and, thus, the meaning and role of icons. A few well chosen color icons are in the book.
This work is highly recommended. I wish I could buy it for you!

23 people found this helpful

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ZiggyZ

Wonderful book; lousy Kindle adaptation!

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2011

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This is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to understand the Incarnation. The Kindle format is loaded with typos, including referring to Arius variously as "Arms" and even "Anus." We deserve better and so does Archbishop Schonborn! Please clean it up, Amazon!

6 people found this helpful

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God's Human Face: The Christ Icon Paperback – October 1, 1994

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