Seeing Salvation

Seeing Salvation was the name of an exhibition at the National Gallery a few years ago, which brought together a selection of paintings of Christ from over the ages.

At St Peter's this afternoon we held our own 'Seeing Salvation' event for Good Friday, focussing on 7 paintings of the crucifixion dating from the 15th C to the 20th C.

The afternoon was led by Rev Bill McIlroy, formerly Minister of Woodmansterne Baptist Church. Bill did a superb job of introducing each painting with a bit of background, giving his own interpretation and then drawing out the thoughts of those gathered. The hour around the cross on Good Friday is usually silent, but the paintings caused some excellent discussion not just about the paintings but the theology and doctrine behind them. 

The paintings all (bar one) attempted to depict the crucifixion as a historic event, but also to add something of the meaning of the cross. In other words, not just to show that 'Christ died', but that 'Christ died for our sins' (1 Corinthians 15:3). Rubens, Dali, Sutherland and El Greco all showed themselves to be theologians as well as painters, who brought a particular emphasis to the subject of the crucifixion. 

My personal favourite was the one above - 'The Trinity' by Tomasso Masaccio, painted in 1425 on the wall of a church in Florence. As one of the congregation commented this afternoon,as the Son hangs on the cross, the Father seems to say 'This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased'. The Spirit is cleverly depicted as part of the Father's clothing, but hovering between the other two members of the Trinity. Bill commented as follows: 'The Father is not remote from the suffering of his Son, but actually holds the cross. His eyes staring forward intent upon their eternal work of salvation, and presenting his Saviour to suffering sinful mankind'.

Excellent stuff that took us to the heart of the cross and the heart of the saving work of God - Father, Son and Spirit. Thanks, Bill.