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In this triptych, Bosch gives the viewer a sense of the Creation, Fall, and Hell, though some critics argue about the middle theme. Anyway, the play attempted to deal with the themes on stage -- a brave undertaking. I was impressed by the staging, but am still wondering about the message. I felt like the director or perhaps playwright were trying to do this without God! Is this the modern theater? On the other hand, interestingly, hell was depicted eerily parallel to the chaos that preceded the creation of Adam and Eve. That is truly worth pondering -- is "hell" not merely the repository of Satan and evil or even separation from God, but in fact, separation from the creative intention of God??? I will chew on that.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Bosch: Creation, Fall, Hell -- a New York City view
Well, even on a short vacation, I am doing "Church-y" things. Last weekend Sylvia and I went to New York City to visit her best friend. Beautiful views were seen and a wonderful time was had. On Friday night we attended an off-Broadway play, "The Garden of Earthly Delights," based on the painting of the same name by Hieronymous Bosch about 1500.
In this triptych, Bosch gives the viewer a sense of the Creation, Fall, and Hell, though some critics argue about the middle theme. Anyway, the play attempted to deal with the themes on stage -- a brave undertaking. I was impressed by the staging, but am still wondering about the message. I felt like the director or perhaps playwright were trying to do this without God! Is this the modern theater? On the other hand, interestingly, hell was depicted eerily parallel to the chaos that preceded the creation of Adam and Eve. That is truly worth pondering -- is "hell" not merely the repository of Satan and evil or even separation from God, but in fact, separation from the creative intention of God??? I will chew on that.
In this triptych, Bosch gives the viewer a sense of the Creation, Fall, and Hell, though some critics argue about the middle theme. Anyway, the play attempted to deal with the themes on stage -- a brave undertaking. I was impressed by the staging, but am still wondering about the message. I felt like the director or perhaps playwright were trying to do this without God! Is this the modern theater? On the other hand, interestingly, hell was depicted eerily parallel to the chaos that preceded the creation of Adam and Eve. That is truly worth pondering -- is "hell" not merely the repository of Satan and evil or even separation from God, but in fact, separation from the creative intention of God??? I will chew on that.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Lutheran Comic Book Heroes! ? ! ? !
Thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for passing on this extremely helpful site, if one wants to know the religious affiliation of your favorite comic book character -- http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_book_religion.html .
I am torn about the Lutherans: Superman's Jimmy Olsen seems to b
e the only faithful one! The others are mixed -- a Danish Lutheran -Atlantean? and a couple of probably lapsed guys. Maybe we Lutherans should advocate for more inclusion. Martin Luther himself was depicted as a superhero almost 500 years ago (see Luther as Hercules, courtesy of Holbein in 1523). For those readers and viewers centuries ago, the mythic stories were personalized in the struggles of Luther and those viewers/readers identified with Luther's frustration with the status quo, his "outsider" character, his challenge to the powers and the way things are just accepted. Right there is a great comic book copy AND the foundation of a great religious insight set!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Gotcha! Right between the eyes.
Ash Wednesday continues to flood through the Lenten Season. I shared a bit of my Ash Wednesday meditation when our area pastors convened on Tuesday. I latched on to that old-time shoot 'em term for real death -- "I got them right between the eyes." That is exactly where God gets us on Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent! That sign of the cross (right between the eyes!) which we might celebrate at a new Christian's Baptism is the same cross that marks our death -- the cross that is marked on the coffin as it is prepared for burial. That cross is both for life and death and ........ new life! So, I will embrace my cross for Lent and pray the Lord who marked me with the cross will embrace me for that new life.
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