tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post195351248946089256..comments2024-03-01T04:59:47.946+00:00Comments on The Bible illustration blog: Guest Bible Artist interview #4Bible artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-27062136205372907562008-05-22T19:40:00.000+01:002008-05-22T19:40:00.000+01:00It is disturbing hearing about stuff like this.It is disturbing hearing about stuff like this.Bible artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-74187855195276795262008-05-20T20:28:00.000+01:002008-05-20T20:28:00.000+01:00An example of the abuse of Bible art Graham. Today...An example of the abuse of Bible art Graham. Today I received a letter in the post from some church in America. It included an illustration of the face of Jesus with a crown of thorns and eyes closed. The said to "look and the eyes will open". They called it a "Prayer Rug". It was just a piece of paper. Elsewhere in the mailing it had a photo of a smiling woman. "I looked at the Prayer Rug and won $46,000!"<BR/>This is a good example of abuse of Christian art. And it's sanctioned by a church!!Paul Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087250570346996589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-58728544078890397652008-05-20T02:39:00.000+01:002008-05-20T02:39:00.000+01:00Paintings and sculptures have often been used as f...Paintings and sculptures have often been used as focal points of devotion by people of most religions. It's a matter of debate if devotion to a simple cross is that much different than devotion to a statue or image. They can be seen as aids to meditation and prayer in that they focus our attention. <BR/>When statues are worshipped because they display tears or blood or appear to move in low light then superstition replaces devotion. And that is where the danger lies. It is easy to cross that line for some. And certain cultures actually encourage it. <BR/>I don't like plain church interiors. I personally prefer to see paintings, carvings and sculpture. That doesn't mean I'll worship the painting etc. But I will find it inspiring.Paul Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087250570346996589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-73643547261407678992008-05-07T21:50:00.000+01:002008-05-07T21:50:00.000+01:00It's funny you should say that Paul, because we ha...It's funny you should say that Paul, because we had a situation not long ago when I'd sent some coloring pictures for missionaries to use in Guatemala.<BR/>One of the pictures was a fairly detailed picture of the crucifixion. One missionary made the point that some of the parents would actually worship that picture!<BR/><BR/>I sent them one of an empty cross instead! I think in situations like that it's good to be wise and not put an image into a situation where there's a good chance that it will be used for worship.<BR/><BR/>Hey! What makes you think that only a "Strange cult" would worship my pictures! lol!Bible artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-87222878500614680452008-05-07T14:50:00.000+01:002008-05-07T14:50:00.000+01:00Then I think it's safe to say it's okay in your ca...Then I think it's safe to say it's okay in your case Graham. Unless some strange cult exists somewhere that is using your drawings for worship. :)) Even then, that's their problem. If you illustrate with the intention to educate and someone uses your illustration for other purposes it's out of your control. It's not something the artist should spend time worrying about. You have enough problems researching and illustrating the work.Paul Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087250570346996589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-74717308196425461932008-05-07T09:24:00.000+01:002008-05-07T09:24:00.000+01:00Dr Ritmeyer makes an interesting point which I bel...Dr Ritmeyer makes an interesting point which I believe has a bearing on the question "Should we draw pictures of Jesus?" Most of the arguments against pictures of Jesus are based on the fear of breaking the second commandment "You shall not make for yourself a carved image..."etc. Ex 20:4-6.<BR/><BR/>As Dr Ritmeyer points out, the second commandment, like the forth, is fairly long, (3 verses), and needs to be taken in context. Some people stop reading at verse 4 of Exodus 20 and forget that verses 5 and 6 are part of the same commandment.<BR/>Leen Ritmeyer clearly demonstrated this when he answered my question regarding the use of the 12 bronze oxen that supported the "Sea" which was the 12,000 gallon basin used by the priests to wash in just outside Solomon's Temple. See 1 kings 7:23-26. <BR/>When we compare this story with the story of the 'Golden calf' in Exodus 32 we could get a little confused, as in both cases we find the children of Israel making an image of cattle out of precious metal, yet one is right and the other very wrong. So what was the difference? The difference was that the golden calf in Ex 32 was made with the intention of worship, whereas the 12 bronze oxen were not.<BR/><BR/>If a Bible artist is producing pictures of Jesus with the only intention that they should assist the telling of Bible stories, there should be no problem. If an artist or sculptor produced an image of Jesus with the intention that people should worship it, that would be different.Bible artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-73621892604901224852008-05-03T23:07:00.000+01:002008-05-03T23:07:00.000+01:00That's great news! Thanks so much.That's great news! Thanks so much.Bible artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-1512372499633639722008-05-03T22:48:00.000+01:002008-05-03T22:48:00.000+01:00Thanks Graham for putting up the interview. I have...Thanks Graham for putting up the interview. I have made a link on my blog.Leen Ritmeyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02587731460106930740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-7719651361124176222008-05-02T12:26:00.000+01:002008-05-02T12:26:00.000+01:00Received my copy of 'The Quest' this morning.This ...Received my copy of 'The Quest' this morning.<BR/>This is a 'must have' for Bible artists who are serious about depicting the Temple at the time of Jesus.<BR/><BR/>The Quest is packed with illustrations, photos and diagrams of every aspect of the Temple Mount site.Bible artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-81926308867231216712008-05-02T07:35:00.000+01:002008-05-02T07:35:00.000+01:00Yes indeed. I would love to visit the Temple Mount...Yes indeed. I would love to visit the Temple Mount site and sit there imagining all the events that had taken place on that spot.<BR/><BR/>I've ordered a copy of Dr Ritmeyers book 'The Quest' which should arrive any day now. I'm really looking forward to reading that.Bible artisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11875939553176288499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35459855.post-17314795652764428402008-05-02T04:16:00.000+01:002008-05-02T04:16:00.000+01:00Thanks for the interesting interview Graham. Dr. R...Thanks for the interesting interview Graham. Dr. Ritmeyer is a multi-talented guy. It must make a world of difference to work at the actual locations you are researching.Paul Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087250570346996589noreply@blogger.com