Comparative Analysis of Environment and Art Statements

Author

D. Foy Christopherson, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Graduate Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies

Department

School of Theology and Seminary

First Advisor

R. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB

Subject Categories

Christianity | Liturgy and Worship

Abstract

This graduate paper was created for the course Theology of Art and Environment and is a comparative analysis of three environment and art books: Re-Pitching the Tent, by Richard Giles, Our Place of Worship, by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Principles for Worship (worship space and the Christian assembly section), by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

This paper intends to be a prototype for a future larger comparative analysis of the environment and art statements currently developed for the English-speaking Church. There are ten of which I am aware. This paper proceeds from the premise that environment and art statements are a relatively new theological genre that merit study and analysis. In that light, this paper intends to deal with the theological principles at the core or implicit in these statements. The companion elements that often accompany these theological principles will not be the focus of this comparative analysis.

Critical ecclesiological and sacramental underpinnings from each statement are examined. Included are comparisons of audience and purpose, stmctural analysis, form critical analysis, sacramental theology, ecclesiology, source critical analysis, concluding with work to be done beyond the scope of this paper.

As part of the research for this work I have developed two tools to manipulate the raw data: 1) A spreadsheet to document source material relevant to these major questions, and 2) a database of the complete text of these statements as I've fotmd them available electronically. Quick searches can be made on key words or topics using the database.

Comments

Access restricted to College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University on-campus users.

Recommended Citation

Christopherson, D. Foy, "Comparative Analysis of Environment and Art Statements" (2004). School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses. 870.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/sot_papers/870