Judith Couchman ~ Living with Purpose & Passion
  • About Judith
  • Enduring Books
  • Free Resources
  • Contact Judith

The Art of Faith 
 Exploring Sacred Images
Scroll down to read the blog.

xx

Visit the Living on Purpose Blog

12 ~ What Would Jesus Do (in Art)?

9/9/2012

8 Comments

 
Picture
Jesus Calls the Disciples by Duccio
What did Jesus do? In the fourth century, pilgrims to Jerusalem obsessed about this question. They wanted to not only see, but experience the places where Jesus lived and died. Devout pilgrims wanted to “walk in the footsteps of the Master” and respond with emotion and devotion.

In the fourth century Paula of Nola explained, “No other sentiment draws men to Jerusalem than the desire to see and touch the places where Christ was physically present, and to be able to say from our very own experience ‘we have gone into his tabernacle and adored in the very places where his feet have stood.’”

Every week Christians gathered to reenact the Thursday through Sunday events of the Passion. Pilgrims wept, prostrated, worshiped, communed, and imagined themselves agonizing with Jesus as he prayed in the garden, stood before Pilate, and hung from the cross. These believers wanted to imitate Christ.

Realistically, a Holy Land pilgrimage offered a few Christians a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary and spiritual high point. Being like Christ required a daily commitment to his teachings. For this, faithful followers listened to stories about his life and the apostles’ letters to the earliest Christians. Each Sunday priests read pages that admonished them to emulate Christ in their spiritual devotion and everyday relationships.

In the same century as Paula’s pilgrimages, Church leaders collected these writings into a canon of approved Scripture, the New Testament. Artists enhanced people’s motivation to walk with Christ by illustrating the people and events of this newly formed Testament. During the eras when most Christians couldn’t read, these images acted as visual Scripture. Looking at Jesus pulling a fearful Peter from the water reminded them not to fear. Observing the prodigal son embracing his father taught them forgiveness.


Centuries later, as literacy expanded, visual interpretations of the New Testament increased, too. Word and image powerfully taught the imitation of Christ.     

Read more about Christian art in Judith Couchman’s book, The Art of Faith: A Guide to Understanding Christian Images (Paraclete).


8 Comments
bestessays.org link
8/17/2013 04:47:22 pm

In the fourth age Paula of Nola explained, “No further emotion induces men to Jerusalem than the care to detect furthermore taste the arranges where Christ was physically now, besides to be efficient to speak from our exceedingly confess ordeal ‘we hold gone toward hellos tent also adored in the same arranges where hellos feet enjoy stood.

Reply
accounting firms encino link
8/22/2013 04:37:58 pm

Thanks for such a great post and the review, I am totally impressed! Keep stuff like this coming.

Reply
free-essay-examples.org link
9/27/2013 10:57:10 pm

Realistically, a Blessed Dominion expedition offered a handful Christians a previously-in-a-day itinerary also holy intoxicated pinpoint. Soul same Christ essential a regularly promise to hellos instructions.

Reply
term paper link
2/10/2014 04:47:45 pm

Nice painting! "Walk in the footsteps of the Master" would be a great piece of art and it really impressive idea. And i'm looking forward to have more!

Reply
friv link
10/2/2014 05:17:24 pm

What can not be stopped enthusiasts

Reply
اقاريو العربيه agar link
4/6/2016 02:25:22 pm

GAME AGARIO ARABICC

Reply
Unblocked link
7/6/2016 08:00:37 am

Really unbelievable, is not as easy as you can see, the posts difficulty and challenge waiting for you and that's the main difficulties that make us interesting.

Reply
Coursework Writing service link
5/17/2022 01:04:54 am

I like to see more pictures which you have painted in this blog. I appreciate the artists who have printed such art and we are all shocked after seeing it.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Get The Art of Faith
    blog postings by email.
    Sign up below.

    judith@judithcouchman.com

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Blog Author

    Judith Couchman is an author, speaker, and college art-history instructor. Her recent book release is The Art of Faith: A Guide to Understanding Christian Images (Paraclete Press). Scroll down to view the book cover and video trailer.


    Archives

    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All
    Art Techniques
    Christ's Face
    Cross Images
    Early Christian Art
    Early Christian Artists
    Eastern (Byzantine) Christian Art
    Florence Cathedral
    Icons
    Illuminated Manuscripts
    Michelangelo
    Mosaics
    Painting
    Power Of Images
    Reformation
    Santa Costanza
    Sculpture
    Trinity
    Working With Our Hands


    A Sampling of Books
    by Judith Couchman


    Picture
    The Art of Faith: A Guide to Understanding Christian Images by Judith Couchman. Click on the photo to purchase the book through Paraclete Press.
    Picture
    The Mystery of the Cross by Judith Couchman. Inspirational readings about images of Christ's cross and how early believers used and respected this sign. Click on the photo to purchase from InterVarsity Press.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.