The Art of Faith: A Guide to Understanding Christian Images
Have you stood in front of a painting and thought,What does this mean? The Art of Faithanswers this question again and again, with insight, wit, and verve, providing a thorough reference to Christian art through the centuries. Practical and easy to read, this book unfolds the ancient world of Christian images for believers who want to enrich their faith, college students studying art history, and travelers to religious sites. With this book in hand, you can visit museums, churches, or other sacred places and identify a work of art’s style and meaning. Or even explore the signs and symbols of your local church.Whatever your relationship to art or Christianity, open this book when you’re curious about a painting, sculpture, symbol, or other sacred work. It will answer your questions aboutThe Art of Faith.Praise forThe Art of Faith“Couchman offers a readable and user-friendly guide to deciphering and interpreting Christian visual art. She is rightly keen to meet the urgent need for a new depth of theological vision in the church and beyond.” —Jeremy Begbie, Duke Divinity School; Author ofVoicing Creation’s Praise: Towards a Theology of the Arts“Couchman offers a history of images in Christian art that we can assimilate into our own work. A must read for students of the Bible whatever your outlet for creativity.”             —Gary Bradley, Gallery Owner and International Director, Via Affirmativa, an International Arts Movement“For those of us who work professionally with Christian iconography in the twenty-first century,The Art of Faithis a book to keep close at hand.” —Edward Knippers, Visual Artist “This delightful volume opens for the reader the beauty and meaning of Christian art through the centuries. It teaches us a whole new vocabulary, a language of colors and forms, and equips us to take part in the faith of Christian artists of every century and continent, who worshiped the Lord in beauty and truth.”  —Frederica Mathewes-Green, Author ofThe Open DoorandThe Jesus Prayer