I Corinthians 3:10-15 and John 14

With scraps of wooden molding left over from a redecoration project, I constructed several small "houses" that were subsequently covered with paper. These were then incorporated into two companion collages on hardwood, both dealing with Biblical references to houses in the context of the afterlife.



Parable of the Three Little Pigs (2010) (20" x 20")

Paul explains in I Corinthians 3:10-15 the fate of one's works in the afterlife in terms very reminiscent of the story of the three little pigs. Deeds on earth may or may not survive judgment fire depending on the foundation on which they were built, but believers will be saved nevertheless.



My Father's House (2010) (24 1/2" x 18")

When Jesus' disciples express concern regarding their future fate, he reassures them that there will be abundant room prepared for them in heaven (John 14:1-7).



Spiritual Possession

The Bible clearly teaches that human beings are capable of being influenced by spiritual entities, despite the fact that this contention runs counter to current sensibilities.  The paired 12" x 16" collages on canvas shown below illustrate two such examples, but they are quite different in nature.

Matthew 8 recounts the exorcism of demons from a possessed man while Acts 2 tells the story of Pentacost in which the Holy Spirit descended on the congregation of believers. These two events remind me of Jesus' story in Matt. 12:43-45 about an unclean spirit leaving a person but not being replaced by anything better. The spirit returns with seven other evil spirits so that "the last state of that person is worse than the first." Basically, in the words of Bob Dylan, "You've gotta serve somebody."



Legion (2005)

Peter Stood Up (2005)

Ezekiel 4-5

The Book of Ezekiel is well known for its bizarre visions. But even more bizarre, at least to those around him, was the behavior of the prophet himself when he was asked by God to act out various prophecies for the people of Israel. These included: going around with his hands bound with ropes, enacting the siege of a toy city, lying on one side for 390 days and the other side for 40 days, baking his bread on cow dung and measuring it before eating, cutting all the hair on his head and dividing it into three equal parts, and digging a hole in a wall and pushing all his belongings through it.

Most of these acted-out prophecies occur in chapters 4 and 5 of Ezekiel and are pictured in two companion collages made in 2009:


Strangely Normal (2' x 1')



Normally Strange (2' x 1')

Sodom and Gomorrah

The divine judgement on these two cities is described in Genesis in terms that appear to refer to a volcanic eruption. They thus presage a similar event occurring in 79 AD: the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum caused by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

The two canvases shown below were created by surrounding "before and after" collages, respectively, picturing the Genesis story with images from frescoes uncovered from the remains of the Roman cities.  Paper-mache and acrylic were used to blend the collaged elements together.

Entrance (2006, 3" x 2")

Lot greets the angels as they enter the city.



Departure (2006, 3' x 2')

Lot and his family flee Sodom.

Parable of The Prodigal Son

A better name for the so-called Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) would be the Parable of the Two Sons, both of whom have problems relating to their father. Verses 11-24 deal with the younger son while verses 25-32 are about the older son. Both sections end on the same note: "this son of mine (brother of yours) was dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found." The only difference is that verse 24 appends the words: "And they began to celebrate" whereas the end of the parable leaves it up in the air as to whether the older son will join in the celebration.  This open ending causes us to contemplate our own relationship to God and our siblings in Christ.

This story-telling technique used by Jesus mirrors exactly the abrupt ending of the Book of Jonah in which the prophet is chastized by God for his parochial attitude but we are left hanging as to the nature of Jonah's final response.

The central figure in this story is, of course, the loving father who extends his grace to both errant children.
Each of the three panels of the 2010 triptych shown below features one of the actors in the parable.

Taker (17" x 17"collage on masonite)

Giver (24" x 13" collage on masonite)

Earner (17" x 17" collage on masonite)

James 5

The last chapter of James, especially verses 7-20, serve as a wrapping-up of themes discussed earlier.



Hard Evidence (James 5:1-6)

James rails at the rich who have fattened themselves at the expense of the poor. He tells them they have only prepared themselves for the coming day of slaughter.

Patience (James 5:7-11)

Black and White (James 5:12)

"Let your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No' be no."

Proper Responses (James 5:13-18)

 "Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise."

Cover-Up (James 5:19-20)



James 4

Perfect Mayhem (James 4:1-10)

James 4 begins with a description of the "conflicts and disputes....disputes and conflicts" that are occurring within the church. The only solution, as he outlines it, is a humbling before the Lord.

One and Only (James 4:11-12)

One who sits in judgment against others, also sits in judgment against the law.

Misty (James 4:13-17)

In our eagerness to make more money, it sometimes forgotten that we are but a mist that will soon vanish along with our worldly wealth.



James 3

Two main subjects are covered by James in this short chapter, both dealing with contrasts.

The first twelve verses discuss the role of the almost untameable tongue, which can be used to either bless God or curse our fellow beings. James employs a wealth of imagery to make his point including horses, ships, forest fires, wild animals and fruit trees.

The remainder of the chapter contrasts the "wisdom" from below (which evidences itself in envy and malice) with that from above which yields fruit such as peace, gentleness and mercy toward others.

Out of Control (James 3:1-12)

Up and Down (James 3:13-18)



James 2

The Second Chapter of James' Epistle introduces his teachings regarding the relationship between faith and works. These verses have been misunderstood from the time of Martin Luther to be in contradiction with the teachings of Paul, especially as found in Galatians. However, even a brief glance at the relative contexts of these two books shows that each author defined his key terminology (faith, works, law) in quite different ways.

Briefly, Paul uses the word "faith" to include an active working out of its implications in our lives; James defines the word as mere intellectual assent.  Similarly, the two utilize the word "works" differently. Thus, Paul defines it as strict keeping of the Old Testament ceremonial laws and customs while for James it is equivalent to the two great commandments to love God and to love your neighbor.

Cross of Gold (James 2:1-7)

Transgressors (James 2:8-13)

Faith is a Verb (James 2:14-26)