The Bible In Art

An examination of the relationship between art and the Holy Scriptures.

"The lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts," writes Francis Schaeffer. "A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God, not just as tracts, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God." Many Christians, wary of creating graven images, have steered clear of artistic creativity. But the Bible offers a robust affirmation of the arts. The human impulse to create reflects our being created in the image of a creator God. Art and the Bible has been a foundational work for generations of Christians in the arts. In this book's classic essays, Francis Schaeffer first examines the scriptural record of the use of various art forms, and then establishes a Christian perspective on art. With clarity and vigor, Schaeffer explains why "the Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars."

A beautiful and informative exploration of the illuminated manuscripts of the Bible over a millennium and across the globe, shedding new light on some of the most significant, yet rarely seen, paintings of the Middle Ages

Painting the Bible is the first book to investigate the transformations that religious painting underwent in mid-Victorian England. It charts the emergence of a Protestant realist painting in a period of increasing doubt, scientific discovery and biblical criticism. The book analyzes the position of religious painting in academic discourse and assesses the important role Pre-Raphaelite work played in redefining painting for mid-Victorian audiences. This original study brings together a wide range of material from high art and popular culture. It locates the controversy over the religious works of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in debates about academicism, revivalism and caricature. It also investigates William Holman Hunt's radical, orientalist-realist approach to biblical subject matter which offered an important updating of the image of Christ that chimed with the principles of liberal Protestantism. The book will appeal to scholars and students across disciplines such as art history, literature, history and cultural studies. Its original research, rigorous analysis and accessible style will make it essential reading for anyone interested in questions of representation and belief in mid-Victorian England.

A collection of works of art featuring Biblical themes.

Published on the occasion of the exhibition organized by the Kimbell Art Museum and shown there November 18, 2007 - March 30, 2008.

This book explores the revelation of Godâ (TM)s love in the mystery of the covenant, and shows how this potent theological concept has inspired artists through the ages to reflect on the nature of divine interaction with mankind. It traces the development of the covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish people as given in the Hebrew Scriptures, and examines the Christian concept of the New Covenant, portrayed by Gospel writers and those of the early Church in the New Testament. Alongside this, the book matches a variety of artistic work in which these texts are made visible. The reference to over 300 works of art is a mere sample, and will inspire readers to research this hugely rich resource both for their own interest and for use in teaching about the Christian faith and its important Jewish roots. Learning in the contemporary world often lifts the emphasis from mere words to illustration, and this book shows clearly that, throughout history, the Christian world has sought to use art to aid understanding of biblical texts. Art continues to be used hand-in-hand with the Scriptures in present-day classrooms, as well as in group and individual study. This volume provides a basis for the exploration of Godâ (TM)s love in his covenantal relationship with the People of God, ancient and modern, and will serve to inspire an investigation of the huge range of artistic interpretation which is available through twenty-first century technology.

Explores the works of five major American Jewish artists: Jack Levine, George Segal, Audrey Flack, Larry Rivers, and R. B. Kitaj. Focuses on the use of imagery influenced by the Bible.