"The Garden of Earthly Delights" - Visited Again

At Madrid's Prado Museum, we viewed the original art work by Hieronymous Bosch, entitled "The Garden of Earthly Delights."

I first encountered this piece in March 2009, when we attended an off-Broadway play in New York City, based on the painting of the same name.

In this triptych, Bosch gives the viewer a sense of the Creation, Fall, and Hell, though some critics argue about the middle theme.

I actually considered buying a copy on linen (Spain has reasonable prices!), but decided against it. This time the third panel disturbed me most of all. I sensed that Bosch was dwelling on the punishment and not the opportunity for amendment of life or, MOST importantly, the possibility of forgiveness. Perhaps we live in a time that needs to view representations of end-times punishment for sin, as so many seem oblivious to any judgment for personal actions. On the other hand, the church's job, I believe, is not so much to shout condemnations, but to raise the reality of the end and then proclaim the promises of new life in Christ, as well as renewed life for Christ's own. Thanks, Bosch, for the wake-up call. I will try to take it from here and preach the power of Christ to change lives!