On good art and fine shavings

It is good to settle into sabbath.

Sunday's worship service was a great send off. Not only did we get an affirming word from the congregation, through worship and afterwards over cake, but Rev. Scott Hoezee preached a fine message. He took up the second commandment (no graven images) as taught by the Heidelberg Catechism, and connected it with John 4, Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. He pointed out that the incarnation of Jesus is itself a revealing of the image of God, one which we are ourselves blessed to share in. It was a great start, and a thought provoking introduction to the theological and historical tensions regarding the visual arts in the Protestant tradition. Thanks Scott!

I read a great little book that also helped to lay the ground work. Two essays by Francis Schaffer are found in "Art and the Bible" (IVP, 1973 and 2006). The first reviews the many ways that the arts are recommended in Scripture, either by call or example. The second essay does a great job laying out 11 different perspectives for Christians to consider when viewing, considering or critiquing art. It's a fairly quick read, only 94 pages. Buy it or call me and borrow it.

But the last three days have also included a lot of non-theological activity. I've been cooking, sorting through bills, getting vehicles repaired and cleaning up my woodshop. We had a great presentation at the woodworkers' guild meeting tonight on bending wood -- the presenter brought in, among other samples, a piece of solid cherry (a hardwood), about 4 feet long, 6 inches wide and 2 inches thick, bent into a semicircle. Impressive.

The highlight though was working with Eric on his Michigan lighthouse model project. Yesterday and today we turned the body of it on the lathe. We did it together, with him standing in front of me, holding and guiding the chisel as I gave support and direction. He did a fine job, and it was for me a great way to find renewal.