Spirit of the Arts

A contribution to the field of theological aesthetics, this book explores the arts in and around the Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements.  It proposes a pneumatological model for creativity and the arts, and discusses different art forms from the perspective of that model. Pentecostals and other charismatic Christians have not sufficiently worked out matters of aesthetics, or teased out the great religious possibilities of engaging with the arts. With the flourishing of Pentecostal culture comes the potential for an equally flourishing artistic life. As this book demonstrates, renewal movements have participated in the arts but have not systematized their findings in ways that express their theological commitments—until now. The book examines how to approach art in ways that are communal, dialogical, and theologically cultivating.  

“The book is a noteworthy accomplishment … . Nine photographs of paintings and art exhibits punctuate the book and serve as examples of some of Félix-Jäger’s claims.” (Christopher A. Stephenson, Religious Studies Review, Vol. 46 (1), March, 2020)



“Spirit of the Arts is a worthwhile read not only for specialists but also for students in advanced seminars on theology, theological aesthetics, ethics, and the study of religious practices.” (Bryan Ellrod, Pneuma, Vol. 40 (3), 2018) “Steven Félix-Jäger's Spirit of the Arts is surprising in a number of ways. First, it's remarkable that the book exists at all, given that pentecostals and charismatics historically have given such little attention to aesthetics. Even when we have done so, we've failed to take seriously arts like dancing or architecture; music and orality have been much more our style. Thankfully, Félix-Jäger's thinking runs as broadly as it does deeply. Second, only the rarest theological/philosophical texts in any tradition actually have the power to move the conversation forward. But this work should prove to be an exception. Equal parts learned and creative, irenic and curious, it is a book Pentecostals and charismatics need to read. Who knows where the conversation might go?” (Chris Green, Associate Professor of Theology, Pentecostal Theological Seminary, USA)

“Pentecostals have been comfortable to engage applied art but not engage the world of fine art.  Now, a pathway has been forged. This volume provides for Pentecostals, and those located in contexts of charismatic renewal, a pneumatological model to engage the public artworld. But it doesn’t end with description, it envisions a creative future for the Pentecostal community. For those desiring to explore both a theological and phenomenological study of the arts in the renewal tradition, I heartily commend this book.” (Jacqueline Grey, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Alphacrucis College, Australia)

“In this theologically informed interdisciplinary study Félix-Jäger constructs a ‘pneumatological aesthetics’ that reflects the character and values of Pentecostal and charismatic communities. At the same time, he calls those same communities to a finer appreciation and experience of the arts, beyond their mere usefulness for worship, confident this will result in more imaginative and visionary appropriations of various art forms that will significantly enrich the embodied and communal dimension of renewalmovements.” (Blaine Charette, Professor of New Testament, Northwest University, USA)

“Faithful to his tradition and imminently open to fresh discoveries, Félix-Jäger performs a great service for the broader conversation regarding theology and the arts with his creative proposal toward a ‘renewal aesthetics.’ In this remarkable project, he manages to balance the potentially disparate concerns of maintaining a distinct ecclesial tradition and demonstrating generous and generative engagement with a multiplicity of art forms. Few scholars have attempted such endeavors, and even fewer have demonstrated such astounding fidelity to both concerns. Félix-Jäger provides a theological model for understanding and stewarding the arts that will both encourage and inspire.” (Taylor Worley, Associate Professor of Faith and Culture, Trinity International University, USA)

Steven Félix-Jäger is a visual artist and theologian. He is the author of Pentecostal Aesthetics: Theological Reflections in a Pentecostal Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics (2015), and With God on Our Side: Towards a Transformational Theology of Rock and Roll (2017), as well as several articles on theology and art.