Luke 5

Healing of the Paralytic (2009) (9" x 12")

collage on paper

Many of Jesus' miracles seem to necessitate the faith of the one being healed. In this case, the only faith in Jesus implied in the story is that of the paralytic's friends who bring him to Jesus.  Jesus' ultimate motive in healing was to demonstrate his love, not to test others' faith.

Luke 5

Gennesaret (2009) (9" x 12")

collage on paper

This is the miraculous catch of fish recorded in Luke 5:1-11. It is also the story containing the famous phrase "fishers of men."  Peter's actions are interesting to observe. First he agrees to Jesus' suggestion on where to cast the net even though this is an area in which Peter is the recognized expert, not the son of a carpenter.  And then, when Jesus' advice proves fruitful, Peter's reaction is to declare his unworthiness to be in Jesus' presence.

Most of us in the same situation would probably have sneered at Jesus' advice to start with. And if we did follow it, it would be only to prove Jesus wrong. Then after his words proved true, we would probably have said, "I was just going to fish on that side of the boat anyway."

The Prodigal Son: Part 3

Earner (2010) (17" x 17")

collage on hardboard

The elder brother is perhaps the most interesting character in the parable; at least he is the one we can identify with the most.  His major problem is not jealousy of his brother, although that certainly comes out clearly in the story. His problem lies in thinking that he can only gain love and respect from his father by his hard work.  The concept of grace is foreign to him.

The Prodigal Son: Part 2

Giver (2010) (24" x 13")

collage on hard board

The return of the prodigal son and his acceptance by his father is one of the clearest examples in the Bible of the principle of pure grace extended by God to all those who repent and turn to Him as their only hope of salvation.

The Prodigal Son

Taker (2010) (17" x 17")

collage on hardboard

Our home Bible study group is going through the Sermon on the Mount. To comment on Matt. 27:9 ("Which of you, if your child asks for bread, will give him a stone?"), I read a quote from George MacDonald collected in an anthology by C. S. Lewis: "The Father will never give the child a stone that asks for bread, bt I am not sure that He will not give the child a stone that asks for a stone."

One of the people in our group noted that this was exactly what the father in the parable did; he gave the younger son what he asked for, knowing that it was not best for him but realizing that the son needed to learn his lesson first hand, the hard way.

Luke 24

Road to Emmaus (2010) (16" x 20")

collage on canvas

Just as the beginning of Luke's Gospel describes the various witnesses to the miraculous events surrounding Jesus' birth, the conclusion describes the witnesses to his resurrection--including the two travelers on their way to Emmaus.

Acts 9

Road to Damascus (2010) (16" x 20")

collage on canvas

The concept of "road" or "way" is especially important in the New Testament. One of the first names for Christianity was actually The Way.  One fateful road was that taken by Saul on the way to persecute Christians in Damascus. This four-panel "cartoon" describes what happened to him, as related in Acts 9, 22 and 26.

The Seven Deadly Sins

Prisoners (2010) (12" x 16" x 10 3/8"h)

mixed media construction in antique vending machine

The concept of seven deadly sins is not present in the Bible but arose in early Catholicism. These sins were said to lead to all other sins.  Each of the polymer clay figures in the above assemblage represents one of the sins.

Joseph in Prison

Dreamers (2008) (34 3/4" x 23")

collage and metal grate on hardboard

Genesis 39-41 describes Joseph's stay in prison before being released by Pharoah. While he was dreaming of freedom, his fellow-prisoners were literally dreaming. In fact, it was Joseph's interpretation of their dreams which eventually led to his release. This piece is in the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas.

Chiasms in the Gospel of Mark

"Come" (Mark) (2008)

mixed media in modified cigar mold

Mark's Gospel has a number of symmetrical word patterns (such as chiasms) hidden in it. A simple example is found in all the appearances of Satan:

                                                                         Tempts Jesus (1:13)

                                                                               Against himself (3:23-26)

                                                                               Against believer (4:15)

                                                                         Tempts Jesus (8:33)

The triptych above is based on the most elaborate pattern in the Gospel, a 22-part symmetrical pattern formed with all the occurrences of the Greek word aperchoma ("come").  This work is now housed in the Museum of Biblical Art-Dallas.

Uriah the Hittite

Uriah ((2007) (12" x 16")

collage on canvas

The sympathetic figure of Uriah is another personage whose character can be analyzed in one of two ways.  On the one hand, he is portrayed in the Bible as being a warrior fiercely devoted to David and his cause. Thus, his betrayal and death at the hand of David makes for a truly tragic story.  On the other hand, one wonders whether his total devotion to his work hasn't alienated his wife, in which case Uriah himself is partially to blame for the consequences.

Bathsheba

Bathsheba (2007) (12" x 16")

collage on canvas

Bathsheba, the original bathing beauty, remains a somewhat enigmatic character. One could accuse her of purposely seducing David so that she could trade up husbands. On the other hand, she appears to act  passively in other episodes such as when Nathan has to urge her to get assurances from David that Solomon will succeed him and when she agrees to Adonijah's  dubious proposal that he be allowed to marry Abishag, David's "concubine."

King David

David (2007) (12" x 18")

collage on canvas

In most of us there is a mixture of our carnal and spiritual lives, but these two are possessed by David in the extreme. His nobility of character and reliance on God are demonstrated by his psalms and by the way he treats his enemies. However, his lust and betrayal of his loyal supporter Uriah come to the forefront in the story of David with Bathsheba.

Job 38-39

 Hard Questions (2006( 24" x 24")

collage on canvas

More Questions (2006) (24" x 24")

collage on canvas

God's long speech to Job toward the end of the book seems at first to have little to do with Job's complaint. It is a list of rhetorical questions regarding the physical world. However, its pertinence is seen in Job's reply, given in Job 40:4: "See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?"

It is only when we realize our smallness before God that we can stop trying to figure out what God is doing in any given situation in our life or the lives of others.

James 1:21

Rank Growth (2014) (18" x 14")

collage on canvas board

In this passage James describes quite a different garden through his imagery: "Therefore rid yourself of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls." (NRSV)

My wife and I have learned from sad experience that a plot of land must first be thoroughly weeded before introducing new plants. Otherwise, the weeds will grow up around them and be difficult to remove by spraying or digging up without also damaging the desirable growth.

The Song of Solomon

Garden of Delight (2014) (18" x 14")

collage on canvas board

All of the characters in the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) are present in this canvas. Surprisingly, there are some parallels to the Garden of Eden, including (besides the similar settings) a loving couple, the presence of God, an evil force (the little foxes that spoil the grapes) and guards--not angelic this time but city officials who figure in the lovers' dreams.

The Garden of Eden

A Momentary Eden (2014) (18" x 14")

collage on canvas board

I recently completed three canvases featuring gardens in the Bible. The first of these, of course, concerned the Garden of Eden. This was only a momentary Eden, however, to which mankind will never return. The new heaven and earth are not pictured as a garden, as Jacques Ellul has perceptively pointed out; the future is instead portrayed as a city even though many of the themes found in the early chapters of Genesis are repeated in the Book of Revelation.

Balaam: Numbers 22-24

Two Asses (2005) (18" x 15")

collage and acrylic on canvas

The Old Testament contains another story in which money and religious power come together. In this case, the prophet Balaam who already has supposed religious gifts, as opposed to the story of Simon Magus.  The enemies of Israel approach Balaam to pray to God against that nation, but Balaam is compelled to bless them instead.  Again, the moral is that God's favor cannot be purchased.

Acts 8

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

collage and acrylic on canvas

When Paul and his companions travel through Gentile territory, they encounter several people claiming to have supernatural powers. Simon Magus is a rare example of one of them who is convinced of the truth of the Gospel after hearing Philip speak and seeing miracles being performed. However, it is the power that the apostles have that really impresses Simon, and he steps over the line when he offers to purchase that ability from them.

This is a troubling story because it reminds us of Jesus' words that not all who call themselves Christians are so in reality.  As Peter tells Simon Magus, "your heart is not right before God" and "you are still in...the chains of wickedness."

Acts 16

Jailbreak (2005) (9" x 11" x 1.5")

collage and wax in shadow box

The apostles seemed to have spent a lot of time in prison, but managed to witness even there. In this case, Paul and Silas were thrown into jail at the request of some men who owned a slave girl who could divine the future. Paul exorcised the spirit out of her and thereby ruined a profitable business for her owners. Economic gain is just one of the underlying motives for persecution of Christians today.

Acts 2

Peter Stood Up (2005) (12" x 16")

collage on canvas

Reading the early speeches of Peter in the Book of Acts, such as the one he delivered on the Day of Pentacost, it is easy to get the idea that he is merely laying a guilt trip on the crowd for being responsible for the death of Jesus. However, the gist of the whole speech makes it clear that it is just one of several techniques Peter uses in order to try to save them. To look at someone laying on a real guilt trip, just read Stephen's speech a little later in Acts.

Matthew 6:19-21

Moth and Rust (2014) (14" x 14")

collage on canvas

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus advises his audience not to rely on material possessions that are subject to decay of one sort or another, but instead build up heavenly treasures. Interestingly, his brother James, whose epistle is almost a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, states that these same rotten and rusted possessions will be used as evidence against the rich at the Last Judgment. This is probably because these material goods should not have been hoarded, but could have been used to help others, thus purchasing the "pearl of great price" that Jesus speaks about elsewhere (and is shown in the center of the above collage).

Jael

Partial Portrait: Jael (2014) (6" x 6")

acrylic on canvas

That muscular arm actually belongs to a woman, named Jael. Her daring deed is recorded in Judges 4. She lured the enemy general Sisera into her tent and drove a tent peg into his head with a hammer. All in all, it was not a good day for Sisera since he was fleeing for his life at the time after his army had been defeated through the help of another woman, Deborah.  Never underestimate the power of the "weaker" sex.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Departure (2006) (36" x 24")

mixed media

The aftermath of the disaster at Sodom and Gomorrah is pictured here surrounded by images from the similarly destroyed cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Lot and the Angels

Entrance (2006) (36" x 24")

mixed media on canvas

Lot greets the angels at the gates of Sodom while storm clouds gather overhead prior to the tragic events that happen next.

Samson

Samson (2014) (6" x 6")

acrylic on canvas

The flawed hero Samson is shown in repose just before his hair is cut, rendering him helpless.

Ehud

Ehud (2014) (6" x 6")

acrylic on canvas

Judge Ehud is not a judge by our definition; he is a lone assassin who daringly ventures into the palace of King Eglon of Moab. Since Ehud is left handed, he is apparently able to better conceal his sword from any guards who wish to frisk him. He then talks Eglon into letting him into his inner chamber, where Eglon is stabbed to death. How Ehud manages to escape is somewhat of a mystery. But it has been proposed that he actually may have dropped down the king's privy to a lower chamber and exited that way.

Gideon

Partial Portraits: Gideon (2014) (6" x 6")

acrylic on canvas

This is the first of four in a series featuring characters found in the Book of Judges. They are called partial portraits for two reasons. The descriptions of the judges in this book are very brief (for the most part) and do not give a three-dimensional picture of the people involved. They are usually known only for one main event in their lives, usually a violent event.

The other obvious reason they are partial portraits is that they are blown-up details from medieval paintings. For example, the above picture only shows Gideon's foot right before he picks up the fleece he cast on the ground earlier looking for a sign from God. Gideon's act is not one to be emulated since it shows his lack of faith in God's earlier words to him.

Provision

Provision (2005) ((16" x 20")

collage and acrylic on canvas

The clearest statement regarding God's provision is found in the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus first argues from the greater to the lesser and then from the lesser to the greater: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they." (Matt. 6:25-26)

Plague

Plague (2005) (16" x 20")

collage and acrylic on canvas

A surprising amount of art in the Middle Ages was preoccupied with the various plagues to which they were subject.  Our current-day plagues may be different in some ways but are still present. We should constantly remind ourselves that all things, even those we consider to be "bad," ultimately come from God and therefore can be used by Him for our purification and edification.

St. Paul

Gold Icon: St. Paul (2005) (11" x 14")

collage and acrylic on canvas

This piece captures two moments in career of Paul. The first is at the very start of his life as a Christian when he was still blind (both physically and spiritually) and being tested by Ananias.  The second event is found at the very end of Acts when Paul and his companions have been shipwrecked on their way to Rome and he suffers no ill effects from a presumably poisonous snake bite.  Paul's story is a truly amazing one from start to finish.

St. Peter

Black Icon: St. Peter (2005) (11" x 14")

collage and acrylic on canvas

This composition captures Peter's amazing transformation from a simple fisherman to one whom Jesus entrusted to "feed my sheep."  Whether you consider him the first pope or a leader among leaders, his example is certainly one to follow.

John the Baptist

Red Icon: St. John the Baptist (2005) (8" x 10")

collage and acrylic on canvas board

Sometimes John is more known for the lurid and gory story of his death than for his role as the forerunner of Christ. According to the angel Gabriel's words found at the start of Luke's Gospel, this role was prophesied centuries earlier.  There is still controversy whether John's coming is the total fulfillment of the prophecy that Elijah will come at the Last Days, but the best interpretation is to take Jesus and Gabriel at face value and assume that this event has already happened.

St. John at Patmos

Blue Icon: St. John at Patmos (2005) (8" x 10")

collage and acrylic on canvas board

I created several "icons" in this style. This one pictures the aging Apostle Paul in exile on the Island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. The image I used for John is one of Ezra Pound, the American visionary poet who lived part of his life in exile in Italy.

Hell

Homage to Bosch (2003 (16" x 20")

collage on canvas board

I have been especially taken by the surrealist artists, including their precursor Hieronymous Bosch. This is my attempt to use the technique of collage to duplicate the bizarre visions of Hell that Bosch conjured up, whether or not they portray in the least the actuality of that place.

Epistle to the Romans

Romans (1986) (5 1/2" x 8 1/4")

mixed media construction in wooden box

This is the most elaborate of the three similar assemblages based on Paul's letters. It is composed of wax, Plaster of Paris, epoxy resin, pen and ink, and various metallic inserts.  The third row from the top pictures Paul's enigmatic metaphor in the eleventh chapter comparing the church to a tree in which the branches of a cultivated olive tree are broken off, others from a wild variety are grafted in, and then perhaps branches from the original tree will be re-grafted.  This passage has been the subject of endless debate between two different schools of theology--the Successionists who feel that the Church has taken the place of Israel as the people of God and those who feel that God has entirely separate plans for Jewish and Gentile believers.

II Corinthians

II Corinthians (1986) (6 1/2" x 5 1/2")

mixed media construction in wooden box

This is the second piece I completed in a series of boxes with colored wax. I found that it is an interesting and challenging exercise to try to represent a sky with clouds using only crayon shavings and a wood-burning tool.  As far as the symbology employed, at this point I will have to say with Robert Frost, "When I originally made it, only God and I knew what it meant. Now, only God knows."

I Corinthians

I Corinthians (1986) (5 1/2" x 5 1/4")

mixed media construction

The 16 chapters of this letter are portrayed visually through the inscribed symbols in the circles above. The whole construction is formed of colored wax and (appropriately) communion cups in a wooden box frame. I realize that the symbols are faint, but you might be able to figure out what they stand for.

James 5:19-20

Cover-Up (2009) (9" x 12")

collage on paper

The subject in James' final words is the serious, and controversial, topic of apostasy. The most straightforward reading of this passage leads to the inescapable conclusion that it is possible for one of our Christian brothers or sisters to wander so far from the truth of the Gospel that the consequence is spiritual death (although a minority of commentators feel that only physical death is being referred to here).  However, it is still possible for that person to be turned back to the truth, and it is our duty to try to help.

James 5:13-18

Proper Responses (2009) (9" x 12")

collage on paper

James outlines three situations when one should turn to God for help: when we are suffering, cheerful or sick. In addition, he appears to couple sickness with sinfulness in verses 15 and 16. But these are probably two separate thoughts in line with Jesus' teachings to his apostles that there is not necessarily a cause-and-effect relationship between the two.