An Online Seminar on the Language of Theology and Visual Art Was Held, Featuring Contributions from Theologians, Art Historians, and Artists
On May 22, 2025, an open theological seminar was held on the topic “The Language of Theology and Visual Art: A Reading of the Book of Revelation.” The event was organized by the Eastern European Institute of Theology in partnership with the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary. The seminar was held online via Zoom, with simultaneous translation into both Ukrainian and English, and brought together forty participants.
Pieter Kwant, an international expert in theological publishing, opened with a presentation. He has been involved in publishing for over fifty years, mainly in the field of theology. Until 2022, he was the international director of the Langham Literature program at Langham Partnership International, as well as the publisher of Langham Creative Projects. All his life, Pieter has been actively interested in art, theology, music, and film, and after retiring, he returned to painting. He is the author of Inside the Rainbow: Seeing and Doing the Book of Revelation. In his presentation, he elaborated on the profound spiritual and symbolic meaning of the images presented in the Book of Revelation. Pieter illustrated his presentation with his own paintings, which flowed from personal, prayerful reflection and spiritual experience. His work “They Have Conquered. Woe to the Earth and the Sea” depicts Ukrainian martyrs, including Andrii Dyatlik, a Ukrainian military doctor who russians killed on the front line in July 2024. This painting powerfully reflected the brutal reality of Russia's war against Ukraine, emphasizing the art's ability to bring comfort and hope even in the midst of suffering.
The second speaker at the seminar was Khrystyna Kvyk, a Ukrainian artist working in sacred art. In her presentation, she showcased sacred art as a means of theological reflection and reinterpretation of contemporary realities through the traditions of Ukrainian icon painting. Khrystyna emphasized that true art is an expression of authenticity and spiritual freedom and can become an important tool for the emotional and spiritual renewal of society. Her works, especially contemporary icons and compositions on biblical themes, demonstrate the importance of preserving and promoting national and spiritual heritage, which takes on special significance in times of war and social crisis.
The third speaker, illustrator Anastasia Avramchuk, a member of the Association of Botanical Artists of Ukraine, presented botanical art as a form of theological reflection and worship of the Creator. Using watercolor and liner techniques, Anastasia creates works that, through the beauty and harmony of nature, remind us of the original Garden of Eden and the concept of creation's restoration. In her talk, she also emphasized the role of art as a means of expressing hope and memory in times of war, pointing out that even botanical illustrations can become symbols of spiritual resilience and hope for resurrection.
The moderator of the event, Denys Kondyuk, is a theologian, pastor of the New City Church (Kyiv), head of the Department of Worship at the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a graduate student at the Faculty of Theology at Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic). In his closing remarks, he noted that the seminar had become a platform for deep theological reflection on how visual art can not only illustrate biblical text but also play an active role in its interpretation. He emphasized that such an approach opens up new opportunities for dialogue between the Church and the secular world, broadening the horizons of understanding of the Holy Scriptures and creating room for mutual knowledge and understanding.
The topic chosen for the seminar is of great practical importance for contemporary public theology of the Church, not only in times of peace, but especially in times of armed conflict and war. Visual art is a powerful tool for communicating biblical truths that help society make sense of and endure difficult times. The images of the Book of Revelation, which reflect the struggle between good and evil, hope and despair, life and death, resonate particularly strongly in light of the trials Ukraine is currently facing. That is why visual art in the context of theology becomes an important source of hope, spiritual support, and a reminder of the ultimate victory of God's Kingdom over earthly suffering.
The recording of the seminar is available on the YouTube channel of the Institute..