The Image of God

This photograph is my representation of the incarnation of God. The biblical truth that “God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16) is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. The woman in the photo symbolizes Mary as an expecting mother. She will soon “bear a Son” and he “will be Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

I chose this photo to represent my view of God because the idea of incarnation is fascinating to me. I put my faith in a God who saw the desperate condition of earth, and sent hope. I worship a God who took the sins of the world upon himself because of his great love for humanity.

The incarnation is taken much too lightly. So much of the time we participate in Christmas festivities without thought of the significance. The joy of Christmas should be inseparably bound to the incarnation. The joy of the Christian’s life should be inseparably bound to the incarnation as well.

Galatians 4:4-5: But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

image of God (2)

In Hindu and Buddhist religions, the word "Mandala" means circle. It is the same idea as a labyrinth. Mandalas are viewed as sacred art, and used as a religious teaching tool. Its symbolic nature allows for deep meditation. When looking at a Mandala, the goal is to reach a sort of "Oneness" with nature and the things around you.

This image caught my eye immediately. The colors, patterns, and shapes were interesting and very attractive to me. I have always thought the metaphor of life being a journey was an accurate comparison. The Mandala (or labyrinth) reminds me of the important journey of growth and wholeness that I am on. This colors and shapes in this piece are very confusing to me and when viewing this piece of art, I was reminded that I will never fully understand the God that I serve.

"We cannot comprehend what comprehends us."

-Wendell Berry

Although this piece of art is one of Hindu and Buddhist religion, many Christian truths were shown to me through it.

The Image of God: Rembrandt's Prodigal Son

This Baroque painting was completed shortly before the artist’s death in 1669. It is based on the parable told by Jesus in Luke 15. Throughout his life, Rembrandt was said to "reveal an understanding of the spiritual and emotional qualities of life."

This painting is currently located in St. Petersburg Russia.

I chose this painting because I have always especially appreciated the parable of the prodigal son. I believe that this painting portrays the story perfectly.

The fact that the father is bent over, aged, with a long white beard speaks to me of the amount of time the man has been waiting for this moment- the homecoming of his son whom he loves. The son is wearing ragged clothing and only one shoe, emphasizing his poor, helpless state. The thing I do not understand about this painting is the people present in the background.

The painting is dark and almost tragic looking, but the idea behind it is one of great joy.

I like how this painting is firmly based on scripture, making it accurate and truthful.

“It’s about radiating self-confidence by being assured in business or being a great mother or a sexy wife.” -Gucci designer Frida Giannini

I believe that the image of the American woman has changed drastically over the past years. Now more than ever, women are excelling in the political, corporate, educational, athletic world, etc. Why then, we might ask, are divorce rates and stress levels mounting while the number of happy women in our country swiftly declines?

“Each year since 1972, the United States General Social Survey has asked men and women: "How happy are you, on a scale of 1 to 3, with 3 being very happy, and 1 being not too happy?" Since 1972, women's overall level of happiness has dropped, both relative to where they were forty years ago, and relative to men. You find this drop in happiness in women regardless of whether they have kids, how many kids they have, how much money they make, how healthy they are, what job they hold, whether they are married, single or divorced, how old they are, or what race they are.”

From what I have observed, women today are expected to have it all together. In my photo, I tried to depict the idea of the modern American woman- a woman of veiled conflict. My model is dressed in an attractive outfit, emphasizing the importance of the exterior in today’s society. Tension is highlighted through the use of an unusual camera angle and strong diagonals.

The book (representative of education/ corporate rank) hides an American woman who might not have it all together.