Actually, the appearance of a brilliant glow, something like a halo, around visions of heavenly beings is related in both the Old and New Testaments — but not as a shiny three-dimensional ring hovering over someone’s head; that’s an invention of (Renaissance?) artists. It’s a similar thing with angels as Nordic-looking adolescent girls with bird-like wings, or God as an old man with a beard sitting on a cloud. Those are only are modern cultural notions, some of them borrowed from other religions. The scriptures have none of those things.
The big problem with religious art is that the artist has to translate into a mundane image what was originally described as something that would defy description, except by poor comparisons. The cultural clichés of the artist’s time and place take over, and I suspect that the writers of the scriptures would have found our visual images to be pretty stupid.
here are some evil EVIL devils banished to the hell of Arizona State University Campus, where they belong:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7OC0YbG2fek/Rz1-9TaAUWI/AAAAAAAADl0/dO7pC8xbqiY/s400/SunDevils.jpg
I wonder where the idea of angels being dead people came from. That certainly isn’t Biblical! (Or Christian.) And no, they don’t have wings. Cherubim do, but they are a different, unrelated species, and none of them are human.
It’s all similar to the Gospel According to Hallmark. How do you know there were Three Wise Men? The Bible doesn’t give any number. “But my Christmas card shows three, and Hallmark wouldn’t make that up!”
Night-Gaunt49: Not to argue, but suffice it to say that your last paragraph is legitimately open to scholarly disagreement. (Personally, I don’t see much of a practical distinction…but that too would be argued by those who want to get into such things.)
I love using lots of Medieval art conventions (because I work as a Baronial scribe and do illumination and calligraphy) but I love Ruthie’s always slightly unconventional explanations! They do NOT need to be based on historical or theological facts of any kind! -JUST FUN and “Ruthie logic”.
Hillbillyman over 13 years ago
Happy Easter Ruthie
GROG Premium Member over 13 years ago
And it take a lot to earn your wings like Clarence did, Ruthie.
peter0423 over 13 years ago
Actually, the appearance of a brilliant glow, something like a halo, around visions of heavenly beings is related in both the Old and New Testaments — but not as a shiny three-dimensional ring hovering over someone’s head; that’s an invention of (Renaissance?) artists. It’s a similar thing with angels as Nordic-looking adolescent girls with bird-like wings, or God as an old man with a beard sitting on a cloud. Those are only are modern cultural notions, some of them borrowed from other religions. The scriptures have none of those things.
The big problem with religious art is that the artist has to translate into a mundane image what was originally described as something that would defy description, except by poor comparisons. The cultural clichés of the artist’s time and place take over, and I suspect that the writers of the scriptures would have found our visual images to be pretty stupid.
But Ruthie’s version is a lot more fun. :)
Nighthawks Premium Member over 13 years ago
it’s true. the devils were banished to hell.
here are some evil EVIL devils banished to the hell of Arizona State University Campus, where they belong: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7OC0YbG2fek/Rz1-9TaAUWI/AAAAAAAADl0/dO7pC8xbqiY/s400/SunDevils.jpg
Destiny23 over 13 years ago
I wonder where the idea of angels being dead people came from. That certainly isn’t Biblical! (Or Christian.) And no, they don’t have wings. Cherubim do, but they are a different, unrelated species, and none of them are human.
It’s all similar to the Gospel According to Hallmark. How do you know there were Three Wise Men? The Bible doesn’t give any number. “But my Christmas card shows three, and Hallmark wouldn’t make that up!”
peter0423 over 13 years ago
Night-Gaunt49: Not to argue, but suffice it to say that your last paragraph is legitimately open to scholarly disagreement. (Personally, I don’t see much of a practical distinction…but that too would be argued by those who want to get into such things.)
yohannbiimu over 13 years ago
I agree with minor. Ruthie ROCKS. You guys have rocks in your heads…
COWBOY7 over 13 years ago
You’re one of a kind, Ruthie.
mrprongs over 13 years ago
Of course, we don’t know for sure angels don’t eat fairies.
shytimes2, SHHH! Don’t you know? Speak of the Doty, and he shall appear? And act all know it all like.
vldazzle over 13 years ago
I love using lots of Medieval art conventions (because I work as a Baronial scribe and do illumination and calligraphy) but I love Ruthie’s always slightly unconventional explanations! They do NOT need to be based on historical or theological facts of any kind! -JUST FUN and “Ruthie logic”.
bmonk over 13 years ago
Go, Ruthie! Your explanations make (too much) sense…