Wisdom and Power of the Cross

The Wisdom and Power of the Cross is the fifth and final entry in Richard Viladesau's well-regarded series on the theology of the cross, from the historical crucifixion of Jesus to the present day. Continuing his analysis of theological history through cultural contexts, this volume correlates theoretical approaches with artistic representations, showing the relation of theoretical to imaginative approaches. The Wisdom and Power of the Cross examines modern and contemporary thought and images, which look at the cross in the light of modern historical and scriptural studies, science, and the novelties of modern and post-modern art and music. Viladesau here considers how the passion of Christ has been thought about by theologians and portrayed by artists in the modern world. Contemporary art and music reveal the lasting power of traditional images of the passion, as well as new possibilities for expression. The Wisdom and Power of the Cross surveys both traditional approaches to soteriology and revisionist theologies that take up the challenge of the meaning of the cross today, in light of critical historical studies and modern science, providing new understandings of traditional concepts like "original sin" and "redemption". Through his in-depth exploration of the interweaving of aesthetic and conceptual theology, Viladesau once more deepens our understanding of the foremost symbol of Christianity and its role in salvation history.

Richard Viladesau is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Theology at Fordham University.
A priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., he obtained his doctoral degree at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. His work concentrates on philosophical questions in theology, including the relation of aesthetic modes of thinking to empirical and conceptual thought.

Introduction
Part I - The Conceptual Mediation: The Cross in Theology
Chapter 1: The Classical Tradition Renewed: Satisfaction and Vicarious Substitution
Chapter 2: Revisionist Theologies
Part II - The Aesthetic Mediation: The Cross in Piety and the Arts
Chapter 3: The Cross in Spirituality and Piety
Chapter 4: The Cross in the Fixed Visual Arts.
Chapter 5: The Cross in Film
Chapter 6: The Cross in Music
Chapter 7: Conclusion. Retrospect and Prospect
Appendix 1: Locations of artworks
Appendix 2: Discography
Bibliography
Index