THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS AS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN THEOLOGY IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article analyzes theological aesthetics in the context of the works of Ukrainian theologians. It is shown that the first elements of theological aesthetics are inherent in the works of theologians of Kievan Rus. These ideas were organically combined with folk beliefs about the relationship between beauty and the spiritual world, and thus theological aesthetics was not only a theoretical form of theology but also a manifestation of living faith. During the Middle Ages, in the writings of Ukrainian theologians, theological aesthetics was often used as a contrast between the Orthodox faith and the Catholic faith. In modern Ukrainian theological thought, theological aesthetics is represented by two directions: its critical analysis and the development of its fundamental ideas. The review of the evolution of theo-aesthetics in the works of Ukrainian theologians of the past and present, though certainly not exhaustive, shows the relevance of this area of theological thought both locally for Ukraine and the world as a whole. The most important thing is that it is not only a theoretical form of theological reasoning, but can become a tool for solving numerous theological problems of our time. In particular, in the context of the development of modern Ukrainian theology, which should now finally become an expression of the Ukrainian spirit, it will be extremely useful to combine the traditionally inherent sensual expression of faith of the Ukrainian people, which is reflected in the works of such prominent Ukrainian writers as Taras Shevchenko, L. Ukrainka, H. Skovoroda, etc., with theology within the framework of theo-aesthetics, which will be useful not only for Orthodoxy but also for humanitarian thought in general. In the context of war, theological aesthetics can also be set as a leading direction in Ukrainian theology, as it is an effective method of confronting evil and violence, in contrast to which it promotes the healing of the world “lying in evil” with the ideas of love and beauty.