The Artist’s Dilemma, Is There More We Can Do?
“I could have done so much more.” Schindler’s Regret Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist living in Poland at the onset of the second World War. As the Nazi war machine began taking Jewish prisoners, Schindler saw an opportunity to make money. Because of his position and influence he wasContinue Reading
Saint Hildegard, Fallen Stars, and the Depiction of Evil
“evil may be depicted but it must be depicted beautifully.” How do we depict the demonic and the devil in sacred art? In September, September 17 to be precise, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Hildegard von Bingen. Saint Hildegard was a truly remarkable woman. She was born inContinue Reading
The Virtue of Prudence
“Prudence is not only the virtue of discerning right from wrong,” What is prudence? The Franklin Expedition In 1845, two ships under the command of Sir John Franklin left England. Their goal was to discover a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean, across the Arctic, to the Pacific Ocean. NeitherContinue Reading
Do We Squander What God Has Given to Us?
“do we squander the gifts that God has freely given to us?” To Squander The Holy Land in the time of Jesus was largely an agrarian culture and so it is no surprise that many of terms we find in scripture have their origins in agricultural practices. When the grainContinue Reading
How God Guides Us
“He (God) searches for us not because He does not know where we are but because He seeks the most effective path for us to return” Corrie Ten Boom Corrie Ten Boom lived in Denmark during World War II. She and her family helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust.Continue Reading
Is “Originality” Overrated?
“Creativity and originality certainly have their place in the art world,…but it is only a part” The division between sacred art and and secular art is centuries old. It began largely as a matter of patronage. The popular idea of the artist creating works of art based on his ownContinue Reading
A Question of Priorities
“we can certainly learn from them the value of priorities and how modern technology can work for us rather than enslaving us.” The Amish Many of us are familiar with the traditions of the Amish from movies such as Witness. We know that theses traditionalist Christians generally avoid modern technology.Continue Reading
Mary, Undoer of Knots
Mary, Undoer of Knots is an ancient devotion of the Church popularized by Pope Francis. Mary is sometimes referred to as the new Eve. Her obedience to God’s plan, undid the knot of Eve’s disobedience. In the second century, Saint Irenaeus wrote, “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied byContinue Reading
The Gothic Activist
“A revival of Gothic art was not limited to late 19th and early 20th century Christian sacred art.” Art can serve many functions. I believe the primary function of the gift of artistic talent is the same as all of the gifts of the Spirit, to build up the KingdomContinue Reading
King Canute and the Value of Humility
“Humility is the virtue that allows us to put our personal wants and desires to the side,” King Canute was once ruler of England. The members of his court were continually full of flattery. “You are the greatest man that ever lived…You are the most powerful king of all…Your highness,Continue Reading