Aesthetic Revelation: Reading Ancient and Medieval Texts after Hans Ur von Balthasar

*Presents a rigorous reexamination of von Balthasar's interpretation of major ancient and medieval texts*

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988), long considered one of the most important Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, is a central figure in the field of theological aesthetics. His "poetic" reading of ancient and medieval texts was intended to retrieve the role of the aesthetic in discerning the Divine in a modern, technological world. Aesthetic Revelation reexamines von Balthasar's study of ancient and medieval theological aesthetics in his Glory of the Lord and confirms and critiques certain aspects of his analysis of traditional texts.
Oleg Bychkov begins with a methodological introduction on the hermeneutics of traditional texts and addresses the question of whether it is feasible to examine ancient and medieval texts in contemporary terms. He then presents a critical outline of the history of the discipline of aesthetics, von Balthasar's idea of theological aesthetics, and a unique analysis of von Balthasar's hermeneutics of ancient and medieval texts. The second part of the book offers a groundbreaking study of several ancient and medieval authors and the traditions they inspired—Platonic, Stoic, Augustinian, and late medieval—with a view to confirming von Balthasar's insights in aesthetics and correcting his approaches to textual criticism.
Besides contributing to a wide range of disciplines and areas, the book clarifies certain methodological issues concerning the hermeneutics of ancient and medieval texts—a theoretical area often neglected by classicists and medievalists. Oleg Bychkov's masterly exposition also shows how the textsanalyzed have significantly influenced the development of Western theological thought.

Oleg V. Bychkov is professor of theology at St. Bonaventure University. Recognized for his expertise in aesthetic theory and late medieval thought, he has co-edited and co-translated the Greek and Roman Aesthetics and the first book of John Duns Scotus' Parisian Lectures. He has published many articles in journals specializing in ancient and medieval thought including Vivarium, Classical Quarterly, Cithara, and Classical Review.

ADVANCE PRAISE

"A remarkably well-researched work, impressively carried out, which makes a significant contribution to the interpretation of numerous ancient texts, ideas, and authors relevant to the study of aesthetics. Bychkov's work should become an invaluable resource for the ever-growing number of students of Hans Urs von Balthasar."—Frank Burch Brown, Frederick Doyle Kershner Professor of Religion and the Arts, Christian Theological Seminary; Professor of Religion and the Arts, University of Chicago

"An excellent, insightful, and thought-provoking study. Its historical portion alone makes a valuable contribution to the history of ancient and medieval thought. The value and appeal of the book are heightened by the chapters on the notion of aesthetics and Balthasar's theology."—Richard Viladesau, professor of theology, Fordham University