Theology of Beauty (with Dr. Mark McInroy)

Do you, or maybe a friend of yours, enjoy cultivating beauty within your home? Maybe you’re not much of a decorator but you can certainly appreciate a beautiful space such as a home altar, well-decorated prayer corner, or just a cozy living room.

On a broader scale, there’s nothing like stepping into a historic church (such as the Cathedral) and being struck by the beauty of the architecture, the soaring ceilings, and the detailed artwork. The Catholic Church has a long and complex history with sacred art and beauty in general: beautiful artwork, music, scripture, and vestments are all ways to engage the faithful and also to draw in people who’ve never even experienced Catholicism.

Dr. Mark McInroy of the University of St. Thomas’ Theology Department has a special interest in theological aesthetics and will be joining us today to discuss this all-encompassing idea of theology of beauty: what it is, and what it isn’t.