Art and Polarity—Towards a Theology of Art, with Special Reference to Ezekiel's Prophetic Sign-Acts

Abstract

This dissertation is dedicated to the research of art and its theological significance. A summary of theologically relevant, art-theoretical conceptions of the underlying phenomenon serves as a starting point and allows for a reconsideration of prophetic sign-acts as artistic performances. Both art in general as well as prophetic sign-acts, particularly those in the book of Ezekiel, reveal polarity as a common and arguably defining feature. Thus, four polarities, which are art-theoretically relevant and prominently featured in Ezekiel's prophetic sign-acts, are studied in detail. The resulting insight, that polarity is a necessary element within the emergence of art, is associated with the revelatory nature of the latter. Thus, it is concluded that art should be considered as a manifestation of divine revelation. Finally, this conclusion is supplemented by an overview of its practical consequences within different theological disciplines as well as contemporary art.