Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T14:27:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eduardo Bueno Fraguas.pdf: 1282545 bytes, checksum: 31db7b08c8ee2d594216959da9df29c7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-10 / The concept of witness (martyr) has enhanced throughout history. This term has been habitually utilized both inside civilian and religious environment, however for Christian language, its root is of the essence of what is "bear witness"; in particular, what presents the Gospel. This paper presents a reflection on the concept of witness and its evolution, beginning with the development of this term in Greek culture, from the Old Testament and Jewish culture to reach the New Testament. The center of this reflection is the Gospel of John, with a focus on chapter 19 verse 35: And he who has seen has borne witness . This has been presented by Johannine Tradition and posteriorly by Church History development. The testimony is the key to biblical language and therefore also becomes something essential for today´s Christians / O conceito de testemunha (mártir) se desenvolveu de diversas formas ao longo da história. Este termo é utilizado comumente nos ambientes civis e religiosos, porém, para a linguagem cristã a sua radicalidade está na essência do que é ser testemunha , em especial, naquilo que apresenta o Evangelho. Este trabalho visa apresentar uma reflexão sobre o conceito de testemunha e sua evolução, iniciando com o desenvolvimento desse termo na cultura grega, passando pelo Antigo Testamento e cultura judaica até chegar ao Novo Testamento. O centro desta reflexão é o Evangelho de João, com um foco no versículo 35 do capítulo 19: E o que viu testemunha . Isso baseado no que é apresentado pela Tradição Joanina e, posteriormente, seu desenvolvimento na História da Igreja. O testemunho é algo fundamental para linguagem bíblica e, por isso, se torna também algo necessário para a vivência cristã na atualidade

During the premodern era, images corresponded to the doctrines of ”The Word”, but in contemporary society this relationship is open and does not correspond to the divine Word. Because of our perceived, postmodern inability to respond to ancient Christian symbols, there is a need to revision these symbols and Christian spirituality. The result of such a revisioning would include an ”opening up” of ”The Word” and of traditional, worn symbols which have lost vitality in this milieu. Art produced with this in mind needs to make ”The Word” more currently accessible and relevant. Further, this revisioning would add significance and enhance the possibility of resurrecting language dealing with ”The Word”. In the process of revitalising old Christian imagery and language, I aim to show that the primary role of contemporary Christian art is to function metaphorically. Finally, I argue that Christian images can take on significance as contemporary images. / Art History Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (Visual Arts)

During the premodern era, images corresponded to the doctrines of ”The Word”, but in contemporary society this relationship is open and does not correspond to the divine Word. Because of our perceived, postmodern inability to respond to ancient Christian symbols, there is a need to revision these symbols and Christian spirituality. The result of such a revisioning would include an ”opening up” of ”The Word” and of traditional, worn symbols which have lost vitality in this milieu. Art produced with this in mind needs to make ”The Word” more currently accessible and relevant. Further, this revisioning would add significance and enhance the possibility of resurrecting language dealing with ”The Word”. In the process of revitalising old Christian imagery and language, I aim to show that the primary role of contemporary Christian art is to function metaphorically. Finally, I argue that Christian images can take on significance as contemporary images. / Art History Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (Visual Arts)