Symbols of the Christian Faith

Symbols of the Christian Faith

Author: Alva William Steffler

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2002-02-21

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9780802846761

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Symbols of the Christian Faith is an illustrated guide to the major visual symbols used by the Christian church throughout history. These stylized illustrations, designed by artist Alva William Steffler, are intended to provide usable, up-to-date resources for contemporary church worship and Christian education. Throughout church history symbols have been used to aid worship and to communicate difficult spiritual ideas. Steffler here collects these symbols, from early Christian catacomb art to the present, offering fresh graphic interpretations of old visual forms. The accompanying text notes the biblical sources for the various symbols and traces their use in church tradition and their links to Greco-Roman culture. Extensive glossaries and indexes round out the book. Broadly inclusive and sensitive to the perspectives of every church tradition, this volume will be an invaluable resource for churches using Christian art as well as for general readers curious about the meaning of common Christian symbols.


A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art

A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art

Author: Gertrude Grace Sill

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2011-01-18

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 1439123845

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Explore one of the richest and most rewarding aspects of Western art with this comprehensive easy-to-use, portable guide to Christian symbols. Organized like a primer, with hundreds of entries in 50 categories—from A for Angels to Z for Zodiac—this handy pocket reference enables you to recognize at a glance the identity and meaning of all the elements in any Christian work of art. 162 paintings from every century illustrate the enduring themes of our biblical heritage. A short introductory essay explains how to use the handbook and the functions of symbols in art. Cross-references, illustrations, a detailed index, and the pocket-book size make A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art an invaluable work for museum-goers, students, travelers, art collectors, and general readers.


Our Christian Symbols

Our Christian Symbols

Author: Friedrich Rest

Publisher: Tpp

Published: 1954

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780829800999

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A classic sourcebook for those interested in the devotional and educational interpretations of the symbols of faith, from Acacia Bush to Yoke of Obedience. In print since 1954, this illustrated guide continues to inform those interested in the meanings of Christian symbols.


Signs and Mysteries

Signs and Mysteries

Author: Mike Aquilina

Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor

Published: 2008-08-04

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 1592767745

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Imagine the dangerous life of an early Christian. You've embraced your newfound faith in Christ but fear the risk of persecution or death at the hands of the pagans living around you. Then a trusted friend tells you about some of Jesus' followers who secretly meet. He whispers into your ear, "Look for a fish carved in a paving stone" by a certain home on the Via Tiburtina. You smile in gratitude. Still today, modern society recognizes those Christian symbols that kept the early Christians safely connected: they appear on churches, bumper stickers, mugs -- even mints and stuffed animals. Yet we are often ignorant of the rich meaning of these symbols: their origins in Scripture, in ancient culture, and in the preaching of the Church Fathers. In this book, noted author Mike Aquilina conducts an intriguing and insightful tour of the symbols that expressed the life and devotion of the Church through the first four centuries of its existence. He explains how Christians freely borrowed pagan and Jewish symbols, giving them new, distinctly Christian meanings. Recover the zeal of our spiritual ancestors as you learn to read their symbolic language -- and discover the impact the symbols still have on your life today. More than a hundred illustrations, reproduced by artist Lea Marie Ravotti from the ancient originals, beautifully complement the text. View a mulitmedia presentation and listen to an interview of the author here.


Signs & Symbols in Christian Art

Signs & Symbols in Christian Art

Author: George Ferguson

Publisher: New York : Oxford University Press

Published: 1959

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780195014327

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Examines the use and meaning of Christian symbols found in Renaissance art.


The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs and Symbols

The A to Z Guide to Bible Signs and Symbols

Author: Neil Wilson

Publisher: Baker Books

Published: 2015-02-10

Total Pages: 763

ISBN-13: 1441221883

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

How might our understanding of God's Word be deepened if we recognized the significance of the signs and symbols found within its pages--signs that would have been obvious to the original readers? From the tree of life to Noah's ark, from circumcision to animal sacrifice. From the feasts, the Passover lamb, and the manna in the wilderness to the furniture in the tabernacle and the visions of prophets. From the Lord's Supper to baptism and from the cross to the empty tomb. Throughout the Scriptures, signs and symbols weave a consistent message of God's presence, grace, and faithfulness. This illustrated resource will help readers understand key biblical images that reveal God's purposes and truth. Each entry includes multiple illustrations, explanations, and key Bible passages. Sidebars, quotes, and photos make this guide approachable and engaging.


Saints, Signs, and Symbols

Saints, Signs, and Symbols

Author: Hilarie Cornwell

Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.

Published: 2009-07-01

Total Pages: 167

ISBN-13: 081922765X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This thoroughly updated and comprehensive edition enhances the classic work as a guide to symbolism in Christian liturgical art, architecture, manuscripts, stained glass, and more. This edition is more heavily pictorial in an effort to provide an even stronger resource for artists and researchers, as well as the general browsing public. It addresses the rich history of Christian symbolism, presented for the twenty-first century reader. This unique resource offers page after page of line drawings depicting sacred monograms, saints, crosses, altars, flowers, fruits and trees, plus symbols of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, the Church Year, the Apostles, the Holy Trinity; and much more. Completely updated and with ecumenical appeal, this useful new reference book expands on its earlier and well-earned reputation for providing clear and reliable information on Christian symbolism.


Christian Symbols, Ancient Roots

Christian Symbols, Ancient Roots

Author: Elizabeth Rees

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Ancient peoples articulated and made sense of their lives through the powerful world of symbol, and Christianity absorbed such symbols as blood, corn, fire and water, adding new dimensions of meaning to each one. By medieval times, these symbols provided access to a many-levelled world in which pagan and Christian truths shed light upon each other. During the Age of Reason, the language of symbol was spoken less, and now that symbols are valued once again, Christians often fear to reconnect religious symbols with their ancient roots. As a result the symbol world of modern Christians is often a pale shadow of the world their forebears inhabited. This book selects dominant Christian symbols and places them against the archaic background from which they grew, drawing on myths and rituals of both ancient and contemporary cultures, thereby integrating the worlds of symbol and reality, sacred and secular, myth and history.


Jesus Christ, Sun of God

Jesus Christ, Sun of God

Author: David Fideler

Publisher: Quest Books

Published: 1993-10-01

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 9780835606967

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The early Christian Gnosis did not spring up in isolation, but drew upon earlier sources. In this book, many of these sources are revealed for the first time. Special emphasis is placed on the Hellenistic doctrine of the "Solar Logos" and the early Christian symbolism which depicted Christ as the Spiritual Sun, the illumination source of order, harmony, and spiritual insight. Based on 15 years of research, this is a unique book which throws a penetrating light on the secret traditions of early Christianity. It clearly demonstrates that number is at the heart of being. Jesus Christ, Sun of God, illustrates how the Christian symbolism of the Spiritual Sun is derived from numerical symbolism of the "ancient divinities."