In the Beginning Is the Icon: A Liberative Theology of Images, Visual Arts and Culture Sigurd Bergmann Trans Anja Kangelsen (Book Review‪)‬

London and Oakville: Equinox, 2009 ISBN 978 1845531720, 173pp, h/b, 50 [pounds sterling] In the Beginning is the Icon is a somewhat misleading title for Bergmann's study, dealing as it does far more with the image in general than the icon in particular. The title derives from one of the book's central themes, the tension within theology between eikon and logos. Bergmann's analysis of this often conflictual relationship of word and image is turned towards an attempt to develop an effective theology for art based upon a soteriological and liberation theology agenda, as its subtitle suggests. The title, of course, makes a direct reference to the conjunction of word and image evident in the prologue to John's gospel, within which both word and image are given their respective pre-eminence: 'In the beginning was the Word ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.' And indeed, John continues, we have seen his glory.