A few days ago I posted some off-hand remarks about paintings on a wall in a church in Pavia. The flood of reaction was interesting. Almost all of it was about the “accuracy” of biblical history. Some readers were so upset they determined to leave the community. Others were challenged to rethink their assumptions. I…
Here is a painting of the last supper. It is in San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore in Milan. Of course, the entire interior is a superb work of art from floor to ceiling (as most of these building are), but there is something quite unusual, deliberately so, in this representation of the meal. Do you…
He has given freely to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be exalted in honor. Psalm 112:9 NASB Horn – In Hebrew, the word qeren means both the literal horn like the horn of an animal and the figurative expression of power. The mistranslation of this word as literal horns resulted in Michelangelo’s representation…
These are images from the cemetery in Milan. I think I should do a photo book on the way we express the pain of death. You don’t see much hope in these despite the Christian culture. Death really is the epitome of hopelessness in life. If we have no way to overcome this last bastion…
His heart is upheld, he will not fear, until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. Psalm 112:8 NASB With satisfaction – When you read this verse, what do you think it means? Does it mean that the man of God will find recompense for the abuse he has suffered at the hands of the wicked? Does it mean that…
Recently I visited Saint Teodoro in Pavia, Italy. On the wall is a magnificent painting. Actually, a whole story in paintings. When I was there, I spoke with a crew from the History channel filming a documentary of this wall. Why? Because it depicts the Italian victory over Charlemagne in the 8th Century. According to…
He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 NASB Steadfast – Hebrew is about reality. Hebrew doesn’t encourage fiction. And what’s the difference between fiction and reality. Fiction has to make sense. Today we look at the Hebrew word kûn. There are basically two forms of this word. One is about…
For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever. Psalm 112:6 NASB Righteous – What do you want on your tombstone? Born: xxxx. Died: xxxx. And then some words about who you were. Hopefully: ṣaddîq, the one word that will be the final marker of your life here. The one word that describes what…
It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment. Psalm 112:5 NASB Gracious – Exodus 34:6 and 7 are crucial verses. They communicate God’s own self-description. The words He uses as He passes by Moses reveal the character of the God we serve, worship, and love. If a…
Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous. Psalm 112:4 NASB Compassionate – The consonant structure of raḥûm, the Hebrew word for “compassionate,” offers an interesting linguistic insight into its meaning and application. You see, raḥûm, can be slightly altered by changing the vowels. Then it becomes raḥam, the word…
