I haven’t read the book yet, but I did pick up a copy at a used book sale not long ago.

By the way, since you are familiar with Rookmaaker and enjoy “stories” as I do, I thought that I’d pass on this link where Dr. Edgar tells a bit of his story in a recent article review relating to Rookemaaker’s works.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/
bc/2006/001/15.12.html

Best,
Cynthia

Here is an excerpt from a work in progress called “Mentors” which will remain in progress for ever:

Date late summer 1970, friends and colleagues take a trip from Seattle to Bellingham (160miles) to hear Hans Rookmaaker:

The group:

My close friend and colleague Ann Baramore was working on her MA in English lit, writing a critique of the “New Criticism” and a defense of author (ala E.D. Hirsch). Ann’s best friend was Naomi Collins (headed for a Phd in art History) who was engaged to Rodger (taught philosophy at MIT), Rick J. was headed for a Pepperedine PhD in Psychology, Darrel G. for a Phd in Music History, Dave Hastings (artist, M.Div Denver Seminary), Steve Graham was just back from a year at L’Abri (F.Schaeffer) and touring Europe and the middle east.

… we packed up some sandwiches and beer and drove up to Bellingham to hear and address by H. Rookmaaker (Art Historian). We had our picnic on Lake Whatcom before the lecture.

After Rookmaaker finished speaking and opened up for questions Naomi Collins (art history guru) remained silent which I found totally amazing, she wasn’t the silent type, turned out she was just remaining aloof. I asked him a pointed one about the rock opera “Tommy” by The Who. How can a deaf dumb and blind boy be saved? The issue was the efficacy of mystical encounters which by-pass the spoken and written WORD. Rookmaker instantly understood where I was going and reacted with an angry dogmatic pronouncement that mystical encounters are not efficacious for salvation. I don’t remember anyone else from our group asking a question. We were almost the entire audience, not much interest in art history among evangelicals in 1970.

We had long discussions of Rookmaaker over the next year or two. Dave Hastings (artist) borrowed my copy of Modern Art and the Death of A Culture and Steve Graham’s dog got a hold of it and chewed it up. We discovered that the book was out of print for some reason and couldn’t find another copy.

another story from Clay, who likes to tell stories

It will be great to see Dr. Edgar. I am not presenting (however several UD students are presenting papers), and unfortunately will only be able to attend Dr. Edgar’s Friday lectures–but that’s at least something!

FYI: The weather in Texas has been cold and rainy too–so I’m pining away as well.

Hi Mike,

It is sortof ironic isn’t it:)

Cynthia, Are you presenting and/or participating in the conference?

It looks like a lot of fun!
-a pining aesthetic intellectual soul here in cold wet Philly