Theoria

Abstract: Preface Introduction 1. From pondering Scripture to the first principles of Christian theology 2. From cosmology to doxology: reading Genesis alongside Plato and Darwin 3. From creation to re-creation: nature and the naked ape 4. From image to likeness: Incarnation and theosis 5. From Adam and Eve to Mary and Christ: sin, redemption, atonement 6. From inspiration to sanctification: discerning the work of the Holy Spirit 7. From the Church to Mary: towards a critical ecumenism 8. From dogma to theoria: the Christian God Epilogue.

Abstract: This is a re-issue of a book by one of Britain's art critics and theorists. The essays ask how psychoanalysis can help us understand art - both its creation and our enjoyment of it. Fuller's subjects range from Freud's reading of Michelangelo's "David" to detective work on reconstructions of the "Venus de Milo" in the light of Melanie Klein's theories; from Marion Milner's work on perspective to "object relations" theory and the work of American abstract painters like Natkin and Rothko. Peter Fuller's previous books include "Beyond the Crisis in Art", "Images of God" and "Marches Past". He is also the author of "Theoria: Art the Absence of Grace". His television programmes include "Naturally Creative". His articles have appeared in art magazines and he is Editor of "Modern Painters" journal.

Abstract: The totality with which postmodern Christian theology asserts its right to proceed independently of philosophy is, in fact, philosophically situated and determined. Heidegger, primarily, defines theology's project by his narration of Western Fate in terms of onto-theology. Two trinitarian differences are required of theologians who understand theology's situation thus: the first, associated with the procession of the Logos, requires getting beyond philosophy; the second, associated with the Spirit, requires getting beyond theology to poesis. Following Heidegger transforms theology into poesis and praxis. Beginning from a criticism of Aquinas implicit in a contrast made by Milbank between true trinitarian differential ontology and that possible from within Aristotelian categories like potency, act and actus purus , the paper considers what response might be made on behalf of medieval western philosophical theology and its development of trinitarian difference within theoria. The argument is that its union of Neoplatonic negative theology and metaphysics does not escape being onto-theology but does provide genuine trinitarian difference.