When it was first published in 1982, this important work by the German Catholic cardinal and theologian Walter Kasper argued for a ‘theological theology’ that makes the explanation of the confession of the triune God its first priority. In this new edition, Kasper’s introduction addresses recent changes as theology reassesses itself in relation to science, culture and the Church; and he emphasizes the importance of the existential and pastoral meaning of the doctrine of God in this new situation.

From Paul’s ‘transformation of the Gospel message into a worldwide church’, represented by Il Bassano’s Sermon of Saint Paul, to Repin’s Procession in the Province of Kursk, depicting the persecution of Christians during the communist revolutions, this book traces the story of the Christian church through art. For each of 100 paintings, the authors discuss the historical events shown, their religious meaning and cultural background, providing a thoughtful and visually engaging history of the Church.