I'm sure most of you have seen some medieval paintings, statues, carvings and books which show God "the Father" as an old man, slightly bulky or muscular, wearing a robe with long white hair and big, bushy white beard. However, these were made in countries where Catholicism or trinitarian Protestantism prevailed. According to Trinitarianism, the three are one essence and only Jesus has a physical body. From the earliest times, Christianity has taught that God is a Spirit.
Personally, I don't believe in trinitarian doctrine. I'm just curious as to why they used to portray God is this way.
2007-01-18 02:37:15 · 8 answers · asked by darth_maul_8065 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Around that time there was much going on in the world. It was much easier to convert people to "Christianity" with a picture of someone they could "See" and relate to. God was always portrayed as larger, stronger and wise. Most could not read in those times and a picture paints a thousand words. Same with the painting in the Sistien Chappel and the hand of God. This done by Michelangelo himself, a very religious man.
2007-01-18 07:38:51 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, you'll find hardly very few *medieval* artworks that portray God the Father as a man. This mostly developed during the so-called *Renaissance*.
In the true middle ages (i.e. prior to the 15th century), God, if he was portrayed at all, was usually just hand, reaching down to touch his creation, a gust of wind, or a flame. Christ, on the other hand, was portrayed realistically, and the Holy Spirit was portrayed as a dove decending.
2007-01-18 05:01:24 · answer #2 · answered by Elise K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darth, the prevailing religion during the Dark Ages and the Renaissance was Catholicism because the Vatican itself was a superpower, politically, economically and socially speaking. In order to reach out to such a vast number of illiterate believers it did it through art. How were artists supposed to portray God and spiritual beings if not in bodily forms?
Whether people then or now believe is a personal decision. Art is art, a means of expressing messages,be they true or false. What is your opinion, then, on Picasso's cubical paintings? Humans are not like we see in his canvasses but his art is appreciated as a personal creation.
2007-01-18 03:12:31 · answer #3 · answered by latinoldie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Trinitarian doctrines arose out of the controversies in basic terms earlier and surrounding the Council of Nicea. If we had a similar "council' for Christianity now it would want to be to make your ideas up the heresy or no longer of Psychotherapy. Jesus is the understand God, Incarnate. The e book of John, financial ruin One, obviously explains that. the "Trinity" isn't an previous testomony (aka previous Covenant) idea in any respect. that is a CATHOLIC doctrine.
2016-10-15 09:54:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's because God is being portrayed to show himself in a way that human eyes and minds can comprehend. God may have a definite image that is invisible at the present because we are not evolved enough to comprehend him in his natural form.
2007-01-18 02:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are made in God's image, there fore He looks something like we do. It is imposible to paint a spirit, but it is possible to paint one that looks like a human.
Also, angles have taken on the appearance of men many times in the Bible, so why couldn't God.
2007-01-18 02:58:35 · answer #6 · answered by tim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah....it's not right... and sometimes downright heretical....but, that's "art" for you. Such a portrayal would be forbidden in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. But, mankind, especially artists, will always try to capture the unknown in their works.
2007-01-18 02:43:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contradictions are an inherent part of all religions.
2007-01-18 02:41:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋