Such an inspiration that it brought tears to my eyes. You show why the study of art history has a value today, not despite the crushing demands and appeal of our technology and social media, but precisely as an antidote. We need this to remain grounded in the greater higher reality of the spiritual world.
Not to rain on anyone's parade. I studied art history intensively back in the day, as did my daughter, who went on to major in it, and Italian language, and live in Italy for a year. Being a Christian "artist" myself (novelist; story-telling) I have a big category for Christian art, whether visual, literary, musical, or whatever. BUT, THAT SAID...
This recent sermon by Pastor Voddie Baucham (he of 'Fault Lines' fame) opened my eyes to a bunch of things about the Sistine Chapel (and things like it) which I had not previously considered:
Definitely worth a listen, but the gist is this: Sistine cost hundreds of millions in today's dollars, most of it extracted from poor-naive penitents via the cynical fraud machine of indulgences, based on the un-Biblical lie of purgatory rather than the finished work of Christ as justification.
Ah, I see. I don't think you were a subscriber yet, but on April 18 I wrote about Pope Julius II laying the cornerstone for St. Peter's Basilica in 1506. The Reflection that day was all about indulgences. Needless to say, I'm not a fan.
That thought provides the sobering sadness to viewing any of the great historical, monumental, artistic creations. Certainly also true of the monuments of Egypt, Versailles Palace, the great cathedrals of France, and the museum in St Petersburg. Even at a more petty end of the scale, consider the statue to Ismail Somoni in Dushanbe, completed in times of great poverty at the end of a civil war that killed 60,000, and displaced 600,000. Yet the idealistic, triumphal, processional design testifies to the great humanism of the intellectual class. The communist government erected two contrasting visions of the same man. One as an oriental despot on a very tall plinth, another as a conquering warrior on a horse.
Not only is what he did amazing in and of itself, the fact that he did this in the 16th century makes it all the more incredible. His work in the Sistine Chapel reminds me of seeing the intricate workings of the Incas in Machu Picchu, Peru, some 40 years ago. All of it, just remarkable beyond words. And once again, thank you for using your intellectual skills in research and writing to provide this look back. And if I may ask (feel free not to answer if you prefer), how far ahead do you plan these excellent lessons?
Thank you, Jeff. I usually write pretty far ahead. It's really the only way to make sure I have time to do the research, pray about it, write the lesson, rewrite the lesson, wonder why it's not working the way I want it to, rewrite the lesson, doubt whether the Reflection is a solid lesson, pray about it again, rewrite the lesson, lose two days to a migraine, rewrite the lesson, get it posted in the correct format on Substack, and finally schedule it.
I launched on January 1, but I started writing last October. I'm not nearly that far ahead now, but I try to stay far enough ahead so that my chronic migraines and apparent problems with perfectionism don't prevent me from getting it out on time. Haven't missed one yet!
At any given time, I'll have multiple lessons in various stages of research and writing. I've also been known to change a historical event a day or two before the date and have to rush to put it out. But no matter how far ahead I write something I always read it again multiple times in the day or two before it posts. Sometimes I change things. Sometimes God changes things. Those are the moments when it's the most stressful.
Thanks for this explanation. I have been marveling at your productivity. You are far beyond anything I could ever do. No wonder the quality is so consistently high—the fruit of your extended meditation and prayer. My wife and I feel very blessed by your hard work. May your audience abound more and more!
I understand all of that. At one time I ran a daily baseball trivia quiz on FB, and it really taxed me. I did it in 2020 when everything was so shut down, but it wore me out, and I finally gave it up. I'm sure it wasn't close to the extent that you have to go to get all the background. Thanks again, praying for you, my friend.
Irving Stone's The Agony and the Ecstasy is a great read that details the entire process, including the Pope's slow payment for work done.
A very famous book that I've a lot about but have yet to read. There just aren't enough hours in the day...
Yes, I remember this powerful work
Wonderful article. Now I want to visit Rome to see this.
Such an inspiration that it brought tears to my eyes. You show why the study of art history has a value today, not despite the crushing demands and appeal of our technology and social media, but precisely as an antidote. We need this to remain grounded in the greater higher reality of the spiritual world.
I agree.
This is incredibly interesting, and the God-given talent of Michelangelo is still awe inspiring. Nice work, Jason!
Not to rain on anyone's parade. I studied art history intensively back in the day, as did my daughter, who went on to major in it, and Italian language, and live in Italy for a year. Being a Christian "artist" myself (novelist; story-telling) I have a big category for Christian art, whether visual, literary, musical, or whatever. BUT, THAT SAID...
This recent sermon by Pastor Voddie Baucham (he of 'Fault Lines' fame) opened my eyes to a bunch of things about the Sistine Chapel (and things like it) which I had not previously considered:
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/102724719176977
Interesting. I'll have to check it out when I get a chance.
Definitely worth a listen, but the gist is this: Sistine cost hundreds of millions in today's dollars, most of it extracted from poor-naive penitents via the cynical fraud machine of indulgences, based on the un-Biblical lie of purgatory rather than the finished work of Christ as justification.
Ah, I see. I don't think you were a subscriber yet, but on April 18 I wrote about Pope Julius II laying the cornerstone for St. Peter's Basilica in 1506. The Reflection that day was all about indulgences. Needless to say, I'm not a fan.
https://christiandevotionals.substack.com/p/april-18-st-peters-basilica-cornerstone
Thanks, Jason! I'll check it out now.
Re. indulgences: I know. If you were, I wouldn't be a subscriber! :)
That thought provides the sobering sadness to viewing any of the great historical, monumental, artistic creations. Certainly also true of the monuments of Egypt, Versailles Palace, the great cathedrals of France, and the museum in St Petersburg. Even at a more petty end of the scale, consider the statue to Ismail Somoni in Dushanbe, completed in times of great poverty at the end of a civil war that killed 60,000, and displaced 600,000. Yet the idealistic, triumphal, processional design testifies to the great humanism of the intellectual class. The communist government erected two contrasting visions of the same man. One as an oriental despot on a very tall plinth, another as a conquering warrior on a horse.
Compared to the glory of Christ, all human art will fade into 'meh'.
Not only is what he did amazing in and of itself, the fact that he did this in the 16th century makes it all the more incredible. His work in the Sistine Chapel reminds me of seeing the intricate workings of the Incas in Machu Picchu, Peru, some 40 years ago. All of it, just remarkable beyond words. And once again, thank you for using your intellectual skills in research and writing to provide this look back. And if I may ask (feel free not to answer if you prefer), how far ahead do you plan these excellent lessons?
Thank you, Jeff. I usually write pretty far ahead. It's really the only way to make sure I have time to do the research, pray about it, write the lesson, rewrite the lesson, wonder why it's not working the way I want it to, rewrite the lesson, doubt whether the Reflection is a solid lesson, pray about it again, rewrite the lesson, lose two days to a migraine, rewrite the lesson, get it posted in the correct format on Substack, and finally schedule it.
I launched on January 1, but I started writing last October. I'm not nearly that far ahead now, but I try to stay far enough ahead so that my chronic migraines and apparent problems with perfectionism don't prevent me from getting it out on time. Haven't missed one yet!
At any given time, I'll have multiple lessons in various stages of research and writing. I've also been known to change a historical event a day or two before the date and have to rush to put it out. But no matter how far ahead I write something I always read it again multiple times in the day or two before it posts. Sometimes I change things. Sometimes God changes things. Those are the moments when it's the most stressful.
Thanks for this explanation. I have been marveling at your productivity. You are far beyond anything I could ever do. No wonder the quality is so consistently high—the fruit of your extended meditation and prayer. My wife and I feel very blessed by your hard work. May your audience abound more and more!
Thank you. Your words mean a lot.
I understand all of that. At one time I ran a daily baseball trivia quiz on FB, and it really taxed me. I did it in 2020 when everything was so shut down, but it wore me out, and I finally gave it up. I'm sure it wasn't close to the extent that you have to go to get all the background. Thanks again, praying for you, my friend.
I appreciate it, more than you know.