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A particular paint stroke. A certain shaft of light. A precise placement of a chisel.

For centuries, the Bible’s powerful accounts have inspired artists to express the beauty, emphasize the power, and elaborate on the meaning of God’s Word.

In God’s Word on Canvas you’ll experience the artistry of six classic paintings while discovering and discussing the scriptural inspiration behind each one.

Hope | van Gogh’s Still Life with Bible | Isaiah 53

•

Belief | Caravaggio’s The Incredulity of Saint Thomas | John 20

•

Purpose | Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait as the Apostle Paul | Acts 22 and 1 Timothy 1

•

God’s Will | Vermeer’s Christ in the House of Mary and Martha | Luke 10 and Ephesians 2

•

Strength | Van Dyck’s The Descent of the Holy Spirit | John 14 and Acts 2

•

History | Tintoretto’s The Last Judgment | Revelation 20, 21

G o d ’ s W o r d ON CANVAS

•

Th r o u gh A r tis t s ’ E y e s

Find the links between Scripture, art, and your life as we investigate:

Enjoy rich, full-color images of these six paintings and other associated works, read about the lives of their creators, and learn from the Master Artist in a creative way through questions designed for personal or group study.

Go d ’ s W o r d on c a n v a s

Also available in the Through Artists’ Eyes Bible study series God’s Word in Stone

|

God’s Word Through Glass

RELIGION / Biblical Studies / Bible Study Guides ISBN 978-0-7847-2486-6

Through Artists’ Eyes An Explor ati on of Bible-inspired Art | 6 Studies

9 780784 724866 021534910

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Adult

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Contents How to Use These Studies......................................... 16

Session 1 Is there any reason for hope?.................................. 17 Images for Session 1.................................................................4

Session 2 How can I believe this?.............................................. 25 Images for Session 2................................................................ 6

Session 3 Can God really use someone like me?...................... 33 Images for Session 3................................................................ 8

Session 4 What does God want from me?.................................. 41 Images for Session 4............................................................... 10

Session 5 Will I have the strength to do what God wants?.... 49 Images for Session 5............................................................... 12

Session 6 Does history have meaning?...................................... 57 Images for Session 6............................................................... 14

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Still Life with Bible 1885 44

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Terrace of the CafĂŠ at Night 1888

La Berceuse 1889

Sunflowers 1889

5

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How to Use These studies

G

od’s

Word

Canvas

is designed to help you learn more about classic paintings and the Book that inspired them. While we recommend that these studies be done in a group setting, they also can serve as engaging personal reading. on

Each session follows this general outline:

Preparing the canvas An introductory, group-building activity that allows you to share opinions about the big issue of the study.

Painting the big picture An examination of the work, life, and thoughts of the artist.

Framing the art A Bible study that helps place the work of the artist within a biblical perspective.

Adding it to the gallery Discussion that will help you apply the principles of the study to daily life.

In addition, the first page of each study contains a fun activity that can lead into initial discussion of the topic. If you have enough time in your session to begin this way, it can serve as a good group-building activity.

Finally, each session includes a page of resources. The Bible study resources can prepare the group leader to go even more deeply into the Scripture text of the session.

A leader may want to have one or more of the art book resources available for the group to review. We also may suggest a video or other resource that could be used to augment a session at the leader’s discretion.

The masterpieces featured in this book have awed art lovers for centuries. Furthermore, the Book that has inspired these masterpieces continues to touch the hearts of those who seek a deeper understanding of it. May you benefit in both ways from God’s Word on Canvas!

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SESSION 1

I s t here any r e a s o n f or hope?

Painting Still Life with Bible, Vincent van Gogh, 1885 Scripture Isaiah 53 Theme of study Because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, we can overcome the most difficult times of life.

L

ook at one clue at a time. Try to guess the word that is the subject of all of these clues with as few clues as possible. The first clues will be very difficult, but they will get easier. (No fair peeking ahead!)

• Emily Dickinson compared it to a bird perched in one’s soul. (1 million points) • In The Shawshank Redemption, Red said that in prison it was a dangerous thing that could drive a man insane. (750,000 points) • It has been symbolized as an anchor. (500,000 points) • Solomon said that when it is deferred the heart is sick. (375,000 points) • In its plural form it is described as “high” in a Frank Sinatra novelty song about an ant and a rubber tree plant. (250,000 points) • Along with faith and charity, it is one of the three great Christian virtues.

(100,000 points) • It “floats” according to the title of a 1998 Sandra Bullock movie. (75,000 points) • Poet Alexander Pope said it “springs eternal.” (50,000 points) • It is the last name of comedian Bob and the first name of actresses Davis and Lange. (25,000 points) • President Barack Obama refers to it along with the words change and audacity. (10,000 points)

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Answer to quiz on preceding page: HOPE Hope—we need it. Hope energizes us and gives us direction. But is hope real or just an illusion? If it is real, what is its source?

PREPARING THE CANVAS 1

Turn to another group member and complete one or more of these sentences: “The one thing that gets me up in the morning is . . .”

“I don’t think I could live without . . .”

“I find my life’s purpose in . . .”

2

Consider those responses. How do you think they would be different if asked when a person was 7 years old? . . . 90 years old?

3

In your opinion do the reasons for hope vary with a person’s situation and preferences, or is hope based on something universal and transcendent? Explain.

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PAINTING THE BIG PICTURE

Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 in Holland. His father was a Protestant minister, and his mother was talented in drawing and watercolors. His brother Theo was an art dealer and would support Vincent throughout his life, both financially and emotionally. The more than 700 letters Vincent wrote to Theo (often including sketches of paintings in process) have provided us insight into the life of this great artist.

1

Let’s turn our attention to the painting on page 4, Still Life with Bible. Examine it closely. Compare the colors to some of his other works shown on page 5—Sunflowers, Terrace of the Café at Night, and La Berceuse.

2

Van Gogh claimed that his ultimate goal was to express emotional states in paint. Point to some examples of how you think he has done so in one or more of these works.

3

Suggest some ways you notice that the latter three paintings differ from the first.

4

What emotions do you sense are brought out in Still Life with Bible?

5

Give close attention to all of the elements in the painting including light, shadows, and items pictured. What might Van Gogh be saying?

This is one of Van Gogh’s earlier works, painted in 1885 just months after the death of his father. Van Gogh’s father, a minister, did not support Vincent’s artistic desires and considered him to be a failure.

I s t he re any r eas o n fo r ho p e?

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6

With those facts in mind, what might some of the images in the painting symbolize?

The book on the table is La joie de vivre (The Joy of Living) by Émile Zola. The novel was published a year before Van Gogh painted this still life, and it became a favorite of his. He was said to have referred to it as a “bible for modern life.”

La joie de vivre tells the story of Pauline, an orphan girl who comes to live with relatives. Over a span of about a decade, Pauline’s caregivers steal her inheritance and become increasingly hateful toward her. Despite her depressing circumstances, Pauline remains cheerful and optimistic and demonstrates generosity through service to the poorest people of her community.

7

There has been considerable debate over the meaning of this painting. Was Van Gogh denigrating the faith of his father or celebrating it? Note the two books in the painting. Consider their colors, relative sizes, and position. Try to make a case for both sides of the argument.

8

Talk about the hope Pauline demonstrates in that novel. What might be the source of her hope? How lasting does it seem to be?

We get a glimpse of Van Gogh’s relationship with God in this quote from one of his letters: “Christ alone has been the only one of the philosophers, magi etc. to have stamped eternal life, the infinity of time, the nullity of death, the necessity and sense of serenity and dedication, as the most important certainty. He lived serenely, as an artist greater than all other artists . . . Try to understand the essence of what the great artists, the serious masters, are saying in their masterpieces, you will recognize God in this. One has written or said it in a book, the other in a painting.”

9

Explain what that quote means to you.

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FRAMING THE ART 1

Look closely at the Bible in the painting. Note that it is opened to Isaiah 53. Why do you think Van Gogh would choose to make a particular book and chapter reference visible in this painting?

Isaiah was a prophet (an intermediary between God and his people), who courageously and boldly spoke God’s Word. He told about a coming king (Messiah or Christ), whom he identified as “the servant.” Although Isaiah lived 700 years before Jesus was born, his words present a clear picture of what Jesus did on earth.

2

Imagine that God would send his special king to earth in order to bring hope to all humankind. List some characteristics of that king and some actions such a king might take.

3

Read the following verses and compare and contrast what you read there to the type of king you just imagined: • Isaiah

53:2, 3 • Isaiah

53:4-8 • Isaiah

53:10

4

Why do you believe that there is such a great difference between our image of a God-sent king and Isaiah’s prophecy of a suffering servant?

I s t he re any r eas o n fo r ho p e?

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It is not unusual for the protagonist of a work of fiction to be called a “Christfigure.” Such a character in a novel, short story, or film brings lasting hope and change to a community at large through courageous self-sacrifice and service.

5

Consider again Pauline from Zola’s novel La joie de vivre (The Joy of Living). Referring to verses from Isaiah 53, tell why she might be considered to be a Christ-figure.

6

Suggest some other characters in literature or cinema that could be considered to be Christ-figures. Why do you think that this type of character often appears in our fictional stories? Why might such characters offer us hope?

7

Contrast the type of hope a reader receives from reading a fictional story with the type of hope that one receives by reading a true story.

8

Why do you think the Bible continues to be a perennial best-selling book, long after popular fiction such as La joie de vivre (The Joy of Living) has been forgotten?

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ADDING IT TO THE GALLERY 1

Contemplate the promise of hope being portrayed and promised by a suffering servant king sent from God, as found in Isaiah 53.

Then devise a definition of the word hope that is consistent with that promise.

2

Turn back to page 17 and examine the quotations about hope found there. Evaluate each one based upon what we find in Isaiah 53. In what ways do these agree with what we find there? In what ways do they fall short?

3

Here are some places people look to give them hope: physical strength intellect communication skills personal wealth youth and energy attractive personal appearance

Give examples of how people count on one or more of these to give them hope. What are the limitations of each?

4

How could an aspect of your life change if you were to rely on God’s suffering king to ensure your peace, to take your guilt, or to alleviate your fears?

I s t he re any r eas o n fo r ho p e?

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Resources Bible Study Books Briley, Terry R. Isaiah. The College Press NIV Commentary. (College Press, 2000).

Nelson Impact Bible Study Guide: Isaiah (Thomas Nelson, 2005).

Peskett, Howard. Isaiah: Trusting God in Troubled Times. A LifeGuide Bible Study.

(InterVarsity Press, 2001).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Comforted: Feeling Secure in the Arms of God. An Old Testament Study—Isaiah. (Victor, 1992).

Art Books 100 of the World’s Most Beautiful Paintings (RTV Sales, 1966).

Leighton, John. 100 Masterpieces in the Van Gogh Museum (Van Gogh Museum, 2002).

Walther, Ingo F., and Rainer Metzger. Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings (Taschen, 2006).

Web Sites www.askart.com www.biblegateway.com www.oxfordartonline.com

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A particular paint stroke. A certain shaft of light. A precise placement of a chisel.

For centuries, the Bible’s powerful accounts have inspired artists to express the beauty, emphasize the power, and elaborate on the meaning of God’s Word.

In God’s Word on Canvas you’ll experience the artistry of six classic paintings while discovering and discussing the scriptural inspiration behind each one.

Hope | van Gogh’s Still Life with Bible | Isaiah 53

•

Belief | Caravaggio’s The Incredulity of Saint Thomas | John 20

•

Purpose | Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait as the Apostle Paul | Acts 22 and 1 Timothy 1

•

God’s Will | Vermeer’s Christ in the House of Mary and Martha | Luke 10 and Ephesians 2

•

Strength | Van Dyck’s The Descent of the Holy Spirit | John 14 and Acts 2

•

History | Tintoretto’s The Last Judgment | Revelation 20, 21

G o d ’ s W o r d ON CANVAS

•

Th r o u gh A r tis t s ’ E y e s

Find the links between Scripture, art, and your life as we investigate:

Enjoy rich, full-color images of these six paintings and other associated works, read about the lives of their creators, and learn from the Master Artist in a creative way through questions designed for personal or group study.

Go d ’ s W o r d on c a n v a s

Also available in the Through Artists’ Eyes Bible study series God’s Word in Stone

|

God’s Word Through Glass

RELIGION / Biblical Studies / Bible Study Guides ISBN 978-0-7847-2486-6

Through Artists’ Eyes An Explor ati on of Bible-inspired Art | 6 Studies

9 780784 724866

021534910

95180 GodsWordCanvasCover-SC.indd 1

Adult

2/12/10 1:29:45 PM