Beyond the Material: Toward a Proper Understanding and Engagement with the Material in Christianity

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A proper Christian understanding of venerating material objects can be recovered by examining the philosophical and historical trajectory from Plato through Ockham and iconoclasm. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Aaron T. Lockhart

doi:10.17613/2bk3q-1bh78

August 24, 2026Open Access

Beyond the Material: Toward a Proper Understanding and Engagement with the Material in Christianity

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Key Points

Examine the philosophical and historical trajectory of material engagement in Christianity from Plato through William of Ockham to recover a theological basis for venerating material objects.
Traced historical and philosophical developments regarding materiality from Platonism through Ockhamism.
Analyzed the theological debates and historical episodes of iconoclasm regarding the engagement with sacred physical objects.
Identified foundational philosophical shifts that contributed to iconoclastic attitudes and skepticism toward physical matter in Christian tradition.
Constructed a theological framework supporting the proper recovery and practice of venerating material objects.

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Implication

Historical philosophical analysis traces theological perspectives from Plato to Ockham, suggesting a renewed framework for venerating material objects in Christian practice.

Abstract

Aaron T. Lockhart traces Plato through Ockham and iconoclasm to recover a proper Christian understanding of venerating material objects.

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Aaron T. Lockhart (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8fe9b910c91c1e92621a02 https://doi.org/10.17613/2bk3q-1bh78

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Beyond the Material: Toward a Proper Understanding and Engagement with the Material in Christianity

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Beyond the Material: Toward a Proper Understanding and Engagement with the Material in Christianity

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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