Balaam and Simon Magus

The Old and New Testaments contain cautionary tales regarding those who, respectively, use a religious position to gain money or use money to gain a religious position.  Both of these problems continue to plague today's churches, so it is a good time to be reminded of the stories of Balaam and Simon Magus.

Two Asses (2005) (24" x 18")

The story of the prophet Balaam is given in Numbers 22-24. He was paid by the enemies of Israel to prophecy against that nation, but everytime he tried, only blessings came out of his mouth. It took his jackass to alert him to the spiritual forces he was trying to work against.

It is probably difficult to see all of the details in the above collage picturing these events--and impossible to discern the fact that certain of the rectangular units (spelling out Balaam's name in Hebrew) have a higher luster than the other units.

The Power Called Great (2005) (24" x 18")

The above companion piece takes as its theme the story of Simon Magus found in Acts 8. Simon noted that the apostles had been given the power to impart the Holy Spirit to believers through the laying-on of hands. He then offered money to Peter if he would share that power with him. He was naturally denounced by Peter, who replied (in the vernacular), "You and your silver can go to Hell!"

Simon's name (in Greek) is highlighted through use of a glossier finish on certain of the rectangular units.The same basic technique is used in both collages-- small collaged canvases are glued to a larger canvas background colored with acrylics.