Theology in Stone

Thinking about church architecture has come to an impasse. Reformers and traditionalists are talking past each other. In Theology in Stone, Richard Kieckhefer seeks to help both sides move beyond the standoff toward a fruitful conversation about houses of worship. Drawing on a wide range of historical examples with an eye to their contemporary relevance, he offers refreshing new ideas about the meanings and uses of church architecture.


"A fascinating, richly detailed, and readable account of church architecture. An elegantly written, learned and stimulating book." --Spiritus
"A brilliant contribution to the growing literature on church architecture....an insightful study that draws on a wide range of visual evidence from many layers--liturgical, architectural, historical, aesthetic--and from throughout the Christian world, suggesting that historians as well as lay
people could greatly benefit from a theological vision of church architecture that understands its own history but is still relevant for today's needs: looking backwards and forwards for new forms of sacred experience."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion
, .."a brilliant contribution to the growing literature on church architecture.... Theology in Stone contributes to the field of religious architecture studies through emphasizing the importance of historical reflection and meditation on the purposes of church architecture as sacred spaces."--Journal
of the American Academy of Religion
"Richard Kieckhefer has given us a remarkable book on church architecture--rich in history but also aware of contemporary debates, and thoroughly engaging in its dialogue with theology, liturgy, and aesthetics. I cannot think of a more timely study of the topic, nor one in which strong claims are
expressed in such a non-dogmatic and truly edifying fashion." --Frank Burch Brown, Frederick Doyle Kershner Professor of Religion and the Arts, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis
"An informed and well-written volume that stands above most other current work in the field....Essential."--Choice
"Far too many books dealing with church buildings are content either to remain historical, or indulge in architectural details to a point of tedium. Richard Kieckhefer presents a paradigm of how to read a church, both liturgically and theologically. Not overburdened with technical jargon, this study
represents an important contribution to a theology of sacred space."--Bryan D. Spinks, Professor of Liturgical Studies, Yale University Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music
"Masterfully interweaving history, theology, and aesthetics in his examination of well-chosen case studies, Kieckhefer transforms our understanding of church architecture by showing how, in practice, churches have been used and experienced by Christian worshipers through the centuries and in the
present day."--Arthur Holder, Dean, Graduate Theological Union


"A fascinating, richly detailed, and readable account of church architecture. An elegantly written, learned and stimulating book." --Spiritus
"A brilliant contribution to the growing literature on church architecture....an insightful study that draws on a wide range of visual evidence from many layers--liturgical, architectural, historical, aesthetic--and from throughout the Christian world, suggesting that historians as well as lay
people could greatly benefit from a theological vision of church architecture that understands its own history but is still relevant for today's needs: looking backwards and forwards for new forms of sacred experience."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion
, .."a brilliant contribution to the growing literature on church architecture.... Theology in Stone contributes to the field of religious architecture studies through emphasizing the importance of historical reflection and meditation on the purposes of church architecture as sacred spaces."--Journal
of the American Academy of Religion
"Richard Kieckhefer has given us a remarkable book on church architecture--rich in history but also aware of contemporary debates, and thoroughly engaging in its dialogue with theology, liturgy, and aesthetics. I cannot think of a more timely study of the topic, nor one in which strong claims are
expressed in such a non-dogmatic and truly edifying fashion." --Frank Burch Brown, Frederick Doyle Kershner Professor of Religion and the Arts, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis
"An informed and well-written volume that stands above most other current work in the field....Essential."--Choice
"Far too many books dealing with church buildings are content either to remain historical, or indulge in architectural details to a point of tedium. Richard Kieckhefer presents a paradigm of how to read a church, both liturgically and theologically. Not overburdened with technical jargon, this study
represents an important contribution to a theology of sacred space."--Bryan D. Spinks, Professor of Liturgical Studies, Yale University Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music
"Masterfully interweaving history, theology, and aesthetics in his examination of well-chosen case studies, Kieckhefer transforms our understanding of church architecture by showing how, in practice, churches have been used and experienced by Christian worshipers through the centuries and in the
present day."--Arthur Holder, Dean, Graduate Theological Union

"A fascinating, richly detailed, and readable account of church architecture. An elegantly written, learned and stimulating book." --Spiritus
"A brilliant contribution to the growing literature on church architecture....an insightful study that draws on a wide range of visual evidence from many layers--liturgical, architectural, historical, aesthetic--and from throughout the Christian world, suggesting that historians as well as lay
people could greatly benefit from a theological vision of church architecture that understands its own history but is still relevant for today's needs: looking backwards and forwards for new forms of sacred experience."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion
,.".a brilliant contribution to the growing literature on church architecture.... Theology in Stone contributes to the field of religious architecture studies through emphasizing the importance of historical reflection and meditation on the purposes of church architecture as sacred spaces."--Journal
of the American Academy of Religion
"Richard Kieckhefer has given us a remarkable book on church architecture--rich in history but also aware of contemporary debates, and thoroughly engaging in its dialogue with theology, liturgy, and aesthetics. I cannot think of a more timely study of the topic, nor one in which strong claims are
expressed in such a non-dogmatic and truly edifying fashion." --Frank Burch Brown, Frederick Doyle Kershner Professor of Religion and the Arts, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis
"An informed and well-written volume that stands above most other current work in the field.... Essential."--Choice
"Far too many books dealing with churchbuildings are content either to remain historical, or indulge in architectural details to a point of tedium. Richard Kieckhefer presents a paradigm of how to read a church, both liturgically and theologically. Not overburdened with technical jargon, this study
represents an important contribution to a theology of sacred space."--Bryan D. Spinks, Professor of Liturgical Studies, Yale University Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music
"Masterfully interweaving history, theology, and aesthetics in his examination of well-chosen case studies, Kieckhefer transforms our understanding of church architecture by showing how, in practice, churches have been used and experienced by Christian worshipers through the centuries and in the
present day."--Arthur Holder, Dean, Graduate Theological Union