Abstract
The collective monograph is based on the research of scholars from the Catholic Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague and other specialists from both Czech and international institutions. Aside these institutions, most authors are members of the editorial board of International Catholic Review Communio.
Thus, the first part reflects the topic of beauty with regard to the Old Testament, considering the aesthetic aspect of Israel's cult and ethics. The second part is devoted to the theme of beauty and spiritual life.
The first chapter contains an Essentials theological reflection about spiritual beauty. The following chapter deals with the liturgical usage of beauty.
The last chapter of the second part introduces practical and pastoral aspects shown in some results of empirical examination in attitudes of children towards beauty in their religious education. The third part is devoted to several theological accents concerning beauty as described by the famous theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar and the popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
The last part is focused on the Czech Christian environment and includes chapters about Tomaš Špidlik's notion of beauty and mysticism, about the beautiful church in the vision of Jan Karafiat, and the infinite beauty of poverty in the work of the writer Jaroslav Durych. This emerging theological discipline can bring new synthesis of knowledge, which is developed by various scientific, philosophical and theological attitudes.
Beauty has a spiritual potential, which includes the contemplation of nature, rational reflection on human and mystical transcendence towards supernatural values. Beauty enables us to regard the visible world in its organic interconnectedness, and, with this mysterious intuition, to enter the dynamics of inner life in its focus to perfectness and holiness.