Courage

New York City photographer Krystyna Sanderson has an online store up now that is featuring her piece "Courage" from our book Light at Ground Zero. As we get closer to the tenth anniversary of the horrible attacks made against our country, it is good to be able to look at  Light at Ground Zero and see how God's work of mercy was carried on behind the closed doors of St. Paul's Chapel.

The Four Holy Gospels

The artist Makoto Fujimura is quite a favorite of ours. We first featured him in It Was Good. Then he was interviewed (twice) in our book Objects of Grace. And just recently we did a small book showcasing his art alongside the paintings of Georges Rouault.

But enough about us.

This post is to let you know that Mako has recently partnered with Crossway to create a an illuminated harmony of the Gospels to celebrate the KJV's 400th anniversary. It is easy to imagine how lovely the book would be, based on the reproductions of his paintings in our Square Halo titles, but to see it in your hands is breath taking. It is like holding a new Book of Kells. It is a joy to page through and discover the decorated caps at the beginning of chapters, the marginalia gracefully littering the pages, and of course, the full paintings. My favorite of the larger works was the piece that begins the gospel according to John called In the Beginning.

Mako's art is what I'd call semi-abstract because he often brings in visual elements that the viewer recognizes—like a tree, or a fish, or a flower, etc. This made it especially delightful to page through The Four Holy Gospels. The marginalia is a combination of representational and abstract paintings. The art draws you in, making you want to discover what aspect of the text Mako is bringing out visually. There were so many of these "incidental" pieces that captured my imagination, but I was especially pleased to see the last page, where Mako had painted a blood-stained tree reminiscent of the Shalom lithograph that hangs in our home.

This amazing new book looks lovely displayed on a bookshelf, but it resists becoming merely a decoration. Seeing it makes you want to come up with reasons to take it down and read it (when my eldest daughter saw this book she commented on it by saying, "THAT'S what it should be like to read the Bible").

So I urge you, if you are able, get a copy of The Four Holy Gospels. When you read it your heart and your mind will be changed as the words of our Lord mingle with the beauty in the art. Soli Deo Gloria.

Duke Divinity School . . . and Zombies

Our book, "It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God" was included on a list "of key texts which treat the arts from a theological perspective" compiled by DITA's Director, Dr Jeremy Begbie. To see our book on the same page as books by Begbie, Dyrness, Rookmaaker, Ryken, Seerveld, etc. is quite an honor. 

But it isn't just deep thinkers about theology who are mentioning our book. Recently IWG was mentioned favorably in a response to a blog about zombies!

Hearts & Minds Christmas List

Our friends at Hearts & Minds put the newest Square Halo book on their gift giving guide! We must say, it does strike us as an ideal stocking stuffer -- or as the perfect present for the person who has everything. Buying a gift for someone only to find out that they already have it is such a disappointment, isn't it? That is just one more reason to love this book . . . it is pretty safe to assume that the people on your list this year don't already have this "truly wonderful little gift; rare, important, inspiring." Follow the link above to read the whole entry about this book. And then order it from Hearts & Minds to give this Christmas!

Books and Culture and Soliloquies

Square Halo's recent book, Rouault-Fujimura: Soliloquies, was mentioned today in a post by John Wilson, the editor of Books & Culture. Half of the post is about Baylor's show Sacred Texts, Holy Images. Bill Dyrness has said that our little book "could go a long way toward helping art literati see the natural connections of faith, tradition and contemporary styles." Hopefully the Baylor show will will be a similar help to those who visit the exhibition.

Remembering 9/11

As Americans it is important that we not forget the tragedy of 9/11.

As Christians, it is crucial that we remember God's mercy shown through His people.

Light at Ground Zero: St. Paul's Chapel After 9/11 documented the "miracle of St. Paul's" and the mercy ministry that was carried out within that tiny sanctuary. Click here for a sample of this book.

Rouault-Fujimura: Soliloquies

Christianity Today ran a review of our newest book about the art of Makoto Fujimura and Georges Rouault. We were also glad to hear an interview with Thomas Hibbs on Mars Hill Audio about this book.