Crayon Exegesis (Or Paint)

Photo by JD Hancock

And now for something completely different . . .

Actually, I was looking for some notes on an activity that I remember doing back in grad school a few times. I remember it being called "crayon exegesis" but it may have just been called "painting exegesis".  I will give credit to my friend and mentor, Rob Gallagher, but he may have ripped it off from someone else.  Who knows.  Anyhow, since I can't find it on the web anywhere else, I shall put it here.  Enjoy!

Instructions for Crayon (or let's make it finger paint) Exegesis:

1.  Set up -

• Prayerfully choose a passage of Scripture ahead of time.  A narrative passage will usually work better for this exercise.  
• Provide participants with printouts of the passage.  I recommend that the type face is as large as possible. Consider printing on larger sheets of paper like 11X17" or even larger if possible.
• Provide participants with plenty of crayons, markers, or finger paint.  Colored pencils are boring.

2.  Begin your time together with prayer, worship, and one or two readings of the chosen passage.

3.  Explain to the participants that the purpose of this time is to reflect deeply upon this passage of Scripture, to begin to exegete it and to listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to them.

4.  Now begin to guide the group through a few readings of the text (alternatively, you may group the following into a single reading).  Be sure to insert prayer and silence as you go.  It is probably best to wait until the end before allowing any discussion.

First Reading - All participants will read silently and use the following colors to shade, highlight, or otherwise mark themes:

Red = passion, blood, anger, sacrifice
Orange = youth, immaturity, insanity
Yellow = happiness, friendship, ease
Green = Growth, nature

Second Reading - Again the participants will read the text and shade, highlight, or otherwise mark the following themes:

Blue = peace, serenity, quiet, purity
Purple = royalty, stature
Black = death, threat, darkness

Third Reading - Participants may now choose any other color and as they read silently through the passage again, mark the text with the following symbols whenever they observe:

Strength = I (vertical line)
Rest or Death = __ (horizontal line)
Growth or Nurturing = @ (swirl)
Action = / (forward slash for "advance" and backslash for "setback or failure")
Movement or Vibration = ~~ (wave)
Unity or Wholeness = O (circle)
Separation = Y (fork)

Final Reading - Leader should slowly read the passage aloud to give participants one last chance to reflect.  They may want to make additions based on the previous instructions.  They should also be encouraged to choose one last color and make any kinds of markings, drawings, short comments or phrases, or whatever they like.  

5. Supply participants with tape and post the creations all around the room.  Give everyone a few minutes to walk around and look at one another's pictures.  End with the following discussion followed by prayer for one another:

• What new insights or observations did you see today in our passage?
• What questions about the text do you have?
• What do you hear God saying to you in His word today?

Prem Mandir (Gujurat, India)

I honestly can't remember if I've shared this video with you before or not.  But, I just watched it again and thought that I wanted to be sure it was something that you were aware of.  I don't endorse the Prem Mandir (featured in this video) in its entirety.  However, I deeply appreciate their use of contextual art forms, architecture, music and dance from Gujurat.  I find it stirring and would love to visit the Prem Mandir some day.

By the way, the Prem Mandir is a part of the Roman Catholic Rajkot Diocese and is located in Gujurat, India.  The images that you see are mosaics of Christ, some of which I have made use here.

Sacred Art Meditation: The Last Supper

My friend, Scott Rayl, on his killer blog has recently highlighted a website called "Sacred Art Pilgrim". I've been looking it over and it seems fantastic. So, on this Maundy Thursday, I want to direct you straightaway to the site's meditation on the Last Supper.  And, for a taste of what awaits you there, this picture is from the site. It is by an unknown Ethiopian artist -- "this injera is my body, which is for you."

Indigenous Jesus: Christian Folk Art from India

Have I mentioned that I am a big fan of Scott Rayl's blog "Indigenous Jesus"? Scott is a gifted artist and passionate follower of Jesus who loves the pursuit of contextualization in mission. I read every post that appears on his site sometimes can't help but re-post it here. Such is the case today. Scott has come across an exhibition of Christian folk art from India that has been used in travelling story-telling efforts.  Included in the showing is this beautiful piece portraying the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.  I like it a lot!

Indigenous Jesus: Christian Folk Art from India:

Camping, "I forgot to carry the 2!" (by Angel Contreas)

The Basis of Interfaith Dialogue

Today, I wanted to share a really cool missiological design that my dear friend, Vincent Lee, created for me.  I came across a simple diagram in an article by another friend, Knud  Jørgensen in an article he had written on the subject of interfaith dialogue and missions.  I thought the diagram could use a little sprucing up, so I sent it to Vincent.  What follows is a few paragraph's from Knud's paper and Vincent's diagram:

We may not set limits to God’s grace, but at the same time we must reject an inclusivism that regards other religions as instruments for salvation in a Christian sense. Perhaps, says Newbigin, we could use a simple sketch, developed by Walter Freytag, to indicate the basis for dialogue between Christians and those of other faiths:

The staircase represents the many ways by which we learn to walk up towards God’s purpose. Here we find all the ethical and religious achievements of humankind, including the Christian religion. But in the middle of them and at the bottom is placed a symbol that represents something different – the historic place and the historic deed in which God exposed himself: God comes to meet us at the bottom of our stairways, not at the top – “I came to call not the righteous, but sinners” (Newbigin 1978: 204f). As I meet my neighbour, I meet him or her at the bottom of the staircase.