tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post2476403150350837162..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: If it ain't baroque. . .Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-89853519927274509972018-05-21T13:59:11.248-05:002018-05-21T13:59:11.248-05:00Follow up on "Magnificent Faith" (our co...Follow up on "Magnificent Faith" (our copy is on its way):<br /><br />https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-magnificent-faith-9780198737575?cc=us&lang=en&<br />Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777514643611989502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-20817002808931765712018-05-18T16:25:44.676-05:002018-05-18T16:25:44.676-05:00Tens of thousands of people have been crucified in...Tens of thousands of people have been crucified in the course of human history. Only one of those crucifixions has effected the forgiveness of sins for the whole human race. We put a depiction of this God-Man's body with the precise title sign (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews) on a cross to identify this one and only one crucifixion of God. This counters in powerful iconography many false ideas about the Christ, His body, His blood, and His work upon the cross. Orthodox Lutheran theology has no discomfort with this way of depicting the body of the Christ. It's a simple and powerful image of incarnation very similar to the image of Jesus in the crib at Bethlehem.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777514643611989502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-15813434320861738092018-05-18T08:45:44.810-05:002018-05-18T08:45:44.810-05:00I have noticed a moving away from graphic, literal...I have noticed a moving away from graphic, literal depictions in Christian art, e.g. removing of Christ’s body from the Crucifix and claiming, “Why seek the living Lord among the crucified. Christ has risen and is no longer nailed to the cross.” Crosses have become more abstract with added dimensions and geometry to make them more aesthetic and appealing to the eye. There is no sense of its former cruel and lethal purpose. The building architecture has also emptied itself of graven images and icons becoming stark and theatrical, closing out the natural light of day and preferring instead stage lighting, sound amplification, and fog machines. Stained glass is a relic of the past or so it seems.<br /><br />If you haven’t seen it yet, take a look at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Houston courtesy of Crosspointe Architects: https://archinect.com/firms/project/19549714/our-savior-lutheran-church/19552127<br /><br />It is an absolutely stunning counterpoint to all the “big box” warehouse churches that have become so popular. It’s worth a look-see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-8749630345965193012018-05-17T19:42:33.144-05:002018-05-17T19:42:33.144-05:00The very earliest implementations of the visual ar...The very earliest implementations of the visual arts in Lutheran liturgical space, were of course in the German Renaissance style of the 16th Century. I'm rather partial to the style, myself. I continue to recommend the website, kirchbau.de, a huge database of church buildings in Germany. One may spend hours snooping around Lutheran churches in Germany online. Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09777514643611989502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-81095617805811527982018-05-17T11:01:02.544-05:002018-05-17T11:01:02.544-05:00I have just the book for you, Larry, unfortunately...I have just the book for you, Larry, unfortunately it is insanely expensive, but is a real gold mine that proves beyond any shadow of your doubt that you have so correctly indicated in this article.<br /><br />In fact, the single most important image for orthodox Lutheranism, in print, mixed media, paint and sculpture was the .... CRUCIFIX.<br /><br />Here's the book:<br /><br /><br />A Magnificent Faith<br />Art and Identity in Lutheran Germany<br />Bridget Heal<br /><br /> The first comprehensive history of the Reformation origins and seventeenth-century emergence of the Lutheran baroque, thoroughly grounded in art, religion, and politics<br /> Invites readers to rethink the relationship between Protestant piety and visual media<br /> Incorporates visual evidence into the broader frameworks of Reformation history, using images to illuminate current debates about religious culture and identity<br /> Based on extensive engagement with archival and printed texts and with images and artifacts<br /> Bridges the traditional disciplinary gaps between history and theology, and history and art history<br /> Accessibly written and richly illustrated, drawing on simple printed images (woodcuts) and magnificent church interiors<br /><br />Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.com