I Saw Angels Fly
Last night, around 7:30, Diane and I–along with several others–saw angels fly.
Five years ago, we heard our dear friend Jack Maxwell describe to our covenant group his dream of a sanctuary on the ACU campus centered on a sculpture of Jacob’s ladder.
Last night, after Jack had invested a tenth of his life (5 years) in this project, it came to fruition.
A monstrous crane lifted the sculpture from the trailer and moved it. No wonder it was such an emotional moment for Jill (yes, they really are Jack and Jill) — since Jack and their family had poured so much into this spiritual masterpiece.
There’s no way to describe this sanctuary to you adequately. The centerpiece is, of course, the sculpture — over 30 feet high. But all around there is a sense of God’s presence. The rocks have words blasted into them to remind you of the gospel. There is a baptistry. And the wall that encircles it gives a place where you can reflect. (From one place, you see the image of the cross through the rocks — which was part of Jack’s design.)
I’ll try to put up another shot later, but this one is from last night after the ladder was first attached.
He’s a photo from today:
This work of art is certainly awe-inspiring!! Jack is such a masterful artist, but I know he does not desire to recieve the praise and recognition for this sculture and the beauty that surrounds it. So, I will give it to the Father, to whom it belongs to in the first place for forming Jack’s incredibly gifted hands, heart, and spirit! Thank you, Maxwell family. We love you.
Mike, this spot on the ACU campus is amazing. I was there also last night but around midnight. I wrote about it this morning because it stayed with me all night. That is sacred space created by the Spirit.
That looks amazing, Mike. Thanks for the pic.
I can’t wait to see it in person! I’ve heard and read so much about this sculpture area and am very anxious to see it. Thanks for the photo….inadequate though it may be.
Wow. Beautiful! I’m so thankful for people with artistic talent who can create things like this sculpture to remind us about God.
* Each year over 8 million people die because they are simply too poor to stay alive.
* More than 800 million people go hungry every day.
* The gross domestic product of the poorest 48 nations is less than the wealth of the world’s three richest people.
* Thirty-thousand children die every day due to hunger and treatable illnesses.
* 6 million children die every year before their fifth birthday, as a result of malnutrition.
Hey, but let’s rejoice in the construction of this sculpture that reflects the greed of the West!
So very sad, John.
That’s a game that you’ll never win, I’m afraid. Your car could be less expensive. Your house could be smaller. You could live in a tent. Do you?
There is a point, of course: western materialism flies in the face of the needs of the world. I’m with you there.
But the judgments made about great works of Christian art are, IMHO, incredibly sad, sad, sad.
But as the great works of art were built through the centuries, there were always people murmuring: “This perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” (John 12:5)
Can you really from a distance (I suppose) know that this sculpture reflects the West’s greed? What if it reflects the yearning of hearts for the presence of God? What if it is a place of commissioning for tens of thousands of students through the years who are reminded that God is among us? What if it encourages artists among us to compose, write, draw, and sculpt?
How did I know you would say that?!
Art before human suffering. Amazing!
Using Judas’ hypocrisy to condone it, even more amazing!
I expected better from you! But then again, did I?
The poor will always be with us.
I rejoice on man lifting up our hope in praise of our King.
I also saw the lift last night – and had a little time to walk through the space at the dedication today. What an incredible space, moving in every way (e.g., spiritually, emotionally). I’m grateful for God-gifted artists who use their talent to glorify the Lord in such a powerful way – and for those who see the value of art for its own sake. As I recall, so did God’s instructions for the tabernacle and temple. I’ll venture to guess that the first and greatest artist (as Jack referred to God) is smiling and showing a few angels some beautiful work tonight.
anyone reading John’s post has at least $500 and an extra 5000 internet-free hours to give away. a family friend just moved to uganda for 3 months to train 100 kids who will get to tour North America. I live in a city where my dinner tab worth more than my doorman’s paycheck. Let’s do what we can to inspire faith. The Maxwells are a big part of why i live in brazil and still get to read from christian families who care about the same people in different ways. lets keep talking.
John, who do you know that is advocating art before human suffering? Do you always live in an either/or world?
I believe fully in participating with God in the rescuing of this hurting, fallen world — including the ministries of compassion. And I believe fully in unleashing the gifts of our gifted artists who call us beyond the drudgery of life to the hope and joy of the gospel. Some people are inspired by listening to a sermon; others are inspired by contemplating a powerful work of art.
Call it money wasted if you like, John. I call it an investment in the kingdom of the God who comes near.
Art inspires, evokes, imagines, and compels.
John sees our resources as limited. He’s right.
Mike sees God’s resources as unlimited. He’s also right.
So, to me, the solution is to appeal in prayer to the One whose resources are unlimited to glorify His name through our generosity toward all kinds of efforts to draw people closer to Him, to grow our gifts like loaves and fishes, and to make the whole results infinitely greater than the sum of its parts.
I believe He’s big enough to be able to do that.
AWESOME!!!!! What a place to go and appreciate not only the work of man, but the everlasting impressions of God on the minds of men. What a beautiful place. I would love to see some more pictures if possible. Thanks.
John,
You might want to read 1 Kings 6 – 8 and notice the money and time “wasted” on the dwelling place of God, money that could have gone to taking care of the poor, widows, orphans, homeless, etc., wood that could have built them homes, stones that could have been used to build a homeless shelter, gold that could have been sold to buy them clothes. How dare God not care about the suffering in Solomon’s day.
Seriously, your philosophy on addressing human suffering won’t hold up. Don’t you think there is room in this world for both, addressing the needy and honoring God with the work of our hands?
One final thought, if you sold that computer you were blogging on, it sure could feed several hungry families.
John, you are out of your league…….stop embarassing yourself.
I’m grateful for artists who have been blessed with the ability to not only impress us with their talents but, also, inspire us through their works of art. My prayer is that many followers of Jesus will be moved by this piece to reach up to God and reach out to others.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing this with us here!
To God be the glory!
-bill
That is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for posting these pictures – except that it makes me long to see it in person. And I don’t know that I’ll ever be in Abilene in the foreseeable future!
I’d like to see the baptistry and how it fits in if it would be possible to photograph.
Come on now, John. Where do we draw the line?
How much do you pay for the internet service you are using tonight?
How many bedrooms less could your house be?
You could take a bike everywhere instead of a car right?
Do you go to a church that puts a building over human suffering?
As Mike said, this is game that can never be won. If you don’t like the sculpture, fine, don’t go see it. But don’t judge others motives, desires, and priorities until you yourself are without home, car, and bank account, and have “sold everything and given it to the poor.”
Also….artist, designers, construction folks…need jobs too…I reckon someone paid their rent, grocery bill and car payment with funds they made constructing this beautiful santuary…There is so much yuck in the world…a moment of peace, a smile on someones face…a reflection of God’s story…priceless…
John,
I’m not sure, but I think your observation is being voiced at 3/4 of the Starbucks in this country, this very evening. Your world view about the “greed of the West”, other than being 180 degrees off, conveys an attitude of hopelessness. Good thing that most Americans don’t subscribe to your way of thinking, or the statistics that you noted would be exponentially worse. As far as hopelessness goes, that’s a disease far more devasting than AIDS, malaria, or malnutrition. Paul, by the Grace of God, did not surrender to hopelessness and expressed it by saying, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Rom.8:18.
I appreciate your compassion, but the most compassionate thing that you can do is lose the cynical attitude and spread hope.
I have been again to see this place that draws people to God and again have been moved. We went to the theater tonight at ACU and decided to walk over and experience it at night without a huge crane and the craziness of hoping that it comes together right. The only thing lit is the baptismal pool with the water flowing. The angels were lit by moonlight. There were students gathered around it. One girl had climbed to a ledge and was reading with a flashlight. I know that the Spirit has been guiding this space and will continue to guide the use of it. I know that hearts will be turned to God there. I know that people will turn to this space in times of trouble. Prayers will lifted on those angels’ wings. Students and families will be called to ministry. I believe that only good will come from this. I believe that God has blessed it.
Awesome!
I cannot wait to come to Abilene and see this work of art by Maxwell. Traveling from CA to AR on I-40 a few years ago at sunset we were passing through Groom,TX. From a great distance I could see a huge cross looming off in the distance. My wife, son and I stopped and watched the sunset near the base of this cross, which is surrounded by many other pieces of art. We were touched by the commitment of the people who constructed and maintained this “art”. BTW, there were around 100 travelers there while we were there, some Christian, some not. The non-christians were asking questions about Jesus. What a great time of conversation. Thank God for creating talented people who can bring His message to others who may not have been touched by “ordinary” means. Thanks for sharing Mike
Unbelievable…
This very same blog, and many of the very same readers, stopped just short of crucifying a church in Memphis, Tennessee a few weeks ago over their rendition of the Statue of Liberty holding a cross and the ten commandments. The comments seen on that discussion were about how the money could have gone towards feeding poor people, inner city missions, missionaries, etc…
Yet, when one of your own does the very same thing, albeit with a bit more avant-garde taste (I’ll admit, it is beautiful, and much more tasteful than the one in Memphis…), you rush to defend him, and excoriate someone (John) who presents the same arguments you were making three short weeks ago.
Logic would leave us with two possible answers to the hypocrisy many of you are displaying:
1. You are arguing about a matter of taste. Your view is that as long as art fits your standard of good taste and meaning, that it is acceptable. You are elitist, and, considering the demographic makeup of the church in Memphis, possibly racist (whether you know it or not).
2. You are arguing that because the “church of Christ” did this statue, it is acceptable. I thought this blog and its readers were nothing if not the opposite of that attitude.
Since #2 cannot be right, then #1 must be right.
I sincerely hope that nobody on here is so blind that they cannot read the comments from several weeks ago, compare them to those above, and say that they see no hypocrisy in this matter. This is the smugness and attitude of “you should come up to our level and then you’d understand” that turns the stomach of so many of us on the conservative side of things. Until everyone here says they were wrong about the statue in Memphis, nobody should be defending this VERY SIMILAR man-made object (aside from matters of taste, proportion, and talent…).
Thank you.
John –
“Art before human suffering. Amazing!”
Why must all of ACU’s resources be pooled into a single area? Each year, we send out dozens of weekend and Spring Break campaigns to preach the word and bring relief to the poor. The school is active in its community, devoting a great deal of man-hours and money into service to the poor and needy of Abilene. Why can we not also have art?
Consider also what purposes this art may have. It’s not there just to look pretty. Mike has already pointed out its value for focusing devotion toward God. I ask you to consider this: the quality of a school’s campus is often an important factor in a student’s decision of where to attend college. Increasing the amount of art and culture on the ACU campus could easily influence many people to choose this Christian university over a secular one, thereby creating great opportunities for them to grow stronger in their relationship with God. Would you have us forsake concern for spiritual welfare out of an obsession with the physical?
“Using Judas’ hypocrisy to condone it, even more amazing!”
Instead of simply calling it “amazing,” why not actually address the point and explain to us how this apparently applicable Scripture has been misused. As it stands, your statement does nothing to contribute to the discussion – it’s equivalent to shouting, “Statue – boo!” Where is the reasoning behind your opinion?
Furthermore, you seem to have missed Mike’s point. Jesus clearly states in this passage that there is a value in glorifying God, and that it is an acceptable use of resources.
“I expected better from you! But then again, did I?”
And now we’ve abandoned all facade of reasonable discussion and have instead descended to hurling insults. Such comments as this are useless – do you expect that adding this will help persuade anyone of your point of view? Insults are immoral, and have no place among the Christian community, and as I said before, offer nothing to a rational discussion.
Lastly, I notice you didn’t say a word in response to Mike’s questions regarding your own financial management. So in addition to Mike’s reference to Jesus’ conversation with Judas, I add Matthew 7:4, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?”
I have taken great care to address your points using objective fact and reasoning, without stooping to insults. So let’s try this again, but this time through rational discourse, not unsubstantiated claims and ad hominem attacks.
I like the work of art but I do think Kerry has a point.
Kerry – My sparse comments about the piece in Memphis had nothing to do with cost or art. It was about the mixture of images: American and Christian. Not about talent, proportion, racism . . . . Goodness.
My only comment about that church? “My response? First, I’d have to say that I don’t know anything about the church, and I’m sure it’s made up of people seeking the Way of Christ in this world.”
But it led into the passage from Balmer’s incredible new book.
Mike,
I’m listening to one of your podcasts on communion in Japan and realize how much I miss the Highland family. Thank you for putting the podcasts up; it’s a great way for me to stay in touch with the work of God at Highland.
The artwork is amazing, by the way. I will have to get a good look at it when I come visit again.
Kerry has a most insightful point to be sure!
Chris Filed wrote:
“Come on now, John. Where do we draw the line?”
right where I drew it
“How much do you pay for the internet service you are using tonight? ”
Very little
“How many bedrooms less could your house be?”
There are 6 of us in a very small 3 bedroom townhouse
“You could take a bike everywhere instead of a car right?”
I live in a big city in Canada, and I have Bible studies all over it, 5 out of 7 days a week. I drive a most economical Toyota Echo. I usually drive 4 or 5 hundred miles per week.
“Do you go to a church that puts a building over human suffering?”
No, we meet in a rented meeting place, and found it for only$500/month.
“As Mike said, this is game that can never be won.”
Yes it can. Quit blowing $1,000′s on art, and then justifying it as “Art inspires, evokes, imagines, and compels.” Because you can make such statement Mike does not make it true. Or perhaps most here think Mike is a prophet, and speaks Ex Cathedra.
“If you don’t like the sculpture, fine, don’t go see it. But don’t judge others motives, desires, and priorities until you yourself are without home, car, and bank account, and have “sold everything and given it to the poor.”
One does not have to sell all one has to be able to see wasted money. Nor does one have to remain silent if he feels somethig is wrong. In this case this artwork is a testimony to wasted money that will cry out for all to see, for who knows how long!
All right, chew me up some more! isn’t that what you do here to anyone who disagrees with Mike?
Aren’t Christians allowed to be artists? Can we not sing, dance, paint, sculpt, etc. as God GIVES us those talents? What better way to use those talents than FOR the Glory of God???? Can we not be reimbursed for our work? I hope so – I plan on making money using my talents whether it’s acting or singing, etc.!
And about the Memphis piece – that is combining a political image with a Christian image at a church which is COMPLETELY different than putting up a statue of a scene from the Bible on a Christian campus!
Here’s something I’ve notice in several blogs.
Someone says outrageous things. Truly, genuinely outrageous. (Such as denying that art can inspire.) Then when people object, the person can’t take the heat. So he or she just cries out, “Everybody here thinks this person is so smart!” (Or here, “Perhaps most here think Mike is a prophet, and speaks Ex Cathedra.”) No one here thinks Mike is a prophet who speaks Ex Cathedra. Probably many here like most of what he writes. That’s why we come. Others come not so much because they agree but because they like the spirit in which it’s written, even if they sometimes or even often disagree.
But please — don’t stoop to this level. Just state your objection and stop the incessant whining. “All right, chew me up some more! isn’t that what you do here to anyone who disagrees with Mike?” Absolutely not. Only those with a certain spirit and tone.
I guess I know of no other blog that has so consistently called on us to respond to the suffering of this world.
Perhaps this little bit of dialogue about one man’s attempt to honor God and the response it invokes explains how in the end it is the Lord who judges each of our motives and deeds. The apostles were always so quick to want to judge each other and those around them. “Shall we call down fire from heaven?” when they were rejected in Samaria comes to my mind. Or when the ran across one who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus who was “not with them” they wanted to enjoin one from doing what they perceived as “their work”. In the end that legalistic “I am more righteous than you” attitude destroys more souls than any other assault on the body of Christ. Why is it that we love controversy more than each other? I have given up the judging blame game and discovered that my own spirituality has been lifted up in doing so. In the end it is all about grace. Let’s just try to love one another a bit more in the process!
Is the glass half empty or half full?
Mike,
One of the features of your new blog allows people to leave comments without including their blog address or website. I think this is unfortunate because being able to click on a name and get an idea of where someone is coming from through their writings is one of the most valuable tools of bringing people together or understanding where someone is coming from. The comments reflected on today’s blog is a case in point. I realize not everyone writes a blog, and some want to be anonymous. However, it is very enlightening to be able to click on someone’s name and enter a small yet often revealing piece of their world.
John-
I’m afraid that we will never see to eye to eye on this and I am “ok” with that. My point with the first questions I asked you was to show that there will always be people who have/spend/take less than you. A church that spends $500 to rent a building is spending $500 more than one who meets in homes. A 3 bedroom house is larger than a two bedroom. When we play those types of “games”, no one wins. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), we cannot judge the hearts and minds of others as God does. I could be (and have been) more wasteful and careless when buying a meal at Chili’s than some have been when purchasing new cars. This is the same case. I assume that you don’t know much about the cost of the statue, who paid for it, etc. There are likely parts to this story that neither of us will ever know. And thus we leave it up to God to decide what is wasteful and what is not. In the end, he will be the judge. Life is too short for us to run around and try to point out all the things that others are doing “wrong”, my friend. We have done that for far too many years now.
In the end, I trust that God is faithful and that if we are both loving him with heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves then we will both be blessed in our relationship with him now and in the life to come.
This is an absolutely breath-taking work of art, created by a man who has obviously been blessed with incredible talent from the Lord and is using that talent not for his own glory but to spur others on to meditate upon the majesty and wonder of our God.
Thank you for posting on this, Mike, so that those of us who are not in Abilene can still enjoy this form of worship to the ultimate Creative Power. I wish that everyone could recognize the inherent beauty in such a gesture of praise.
Let me add to that…
How many have reconsidered the morality of their actions after reading Dante’s _Divine Comedy_? How many have contemplated the majesty of the Lord because the music of Handel’s _Messiah_? How many have been encouraged to share the sacrifice of Christ after recognizing his broken body in Michelangelo’s _Pieta_? How many people have been reminded of God’s gracious forgiveness by John Newton’s lyrics to “Amazing Grace”?
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you…’” (Exodus 31: 1-6)
God did not need golden pomegranates or marble columns or jeweled robes for the priests of the tabernacle, but He commissioned such objects so that we humans could recognize his majesty, glory, and power.
Praise God that there are still artists who are inspired to honor Him with the works of their hands!
I’m anticipating my next visit to ACU so I can see this piece of work for myself! I imagine the pictures probably can not do it the justice due…
Mike, thanks for posting the notice and pictures of Jack’s new sculpture. As one who has spent many hours in a men’s prayer group with Jack I know him to be a man with great love for the Lord. This love is expressed in a way that can deeply effect others. I look forward to seeing it the next time I am in the states, Kent
My niece, Erin, who is an art student at ACU helped with this, so I’ve been hearing about if for a long time. Can’t wait to experience it in its myriad forms.
As for the rest:
Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
John *:6-8
Sorry – John 8:6-8
The art work in Memphis came under scrutiny because it mixes patriotism and spirituality…….or to some even EQUATES the two. That discussion is not applicable here.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful work with us Mike! I praise God for the gift He gave this wonderful artist, and I am thankful that this person used his gift to God’s glory!
Mike the only mistake you made was trying to defend yourself…….you have nothing to defend. I think our brother Keith Brenton hit the nail on the head. As usual.
I stopped by today to see what other comments there were, and to take another look at the photo. I was really struck by the beauty of the statue, and am really curious about the engineering behind the art. How on earth does that thing stay upright and together? It amazes me. Whether it was a “waste of money” or not, it’s certainly gorgeous!
(And, as to the “waste of money”, I guess I’ve decided lately that I should try to look to myself and my money expenditures, and those within my sphere of influence, and trust my brothers and sisters in Christ to be doing the same. I know that we will never all make right decisions every time, but I want to try to be trusting of others motives until proven otherwise.)
Hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday.
What an incredible work of art!! I saved the second picture as a jpeg, then took it to 150 % to get a better idea of what it actually looked like.
As Henri Nouwen wrote a book about Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal, ” I can imagine someone writing a book or a least an article in a similar vein. I look forward to my next visit to ACU to meditate along side this beautiful work and Jacob’s struggles and triumphs as he became a part of God’s story.
Won’t it be wonderful when the kingdom of God is here in full and we won’t judge each other’s motives when choices are made of how each one of chooses to express our devotion to God? I love this short excerpt from one of Luci Shaw’s books:
“Poetry is not a safe or easy calling, eiher in the culture at large or within the Christian community. I’ve found that it’s a bit lonely. One of my uncles once asked me, ‘What good is a poem? What’s the point of it? Why can’t you say what you want to say in plain language?’ I wondered, How is it possible for me to explain the value of poetry for whom it has no appeal?”
So, I say thank you, Jack Maxwell, for this beautiful and inspiring peice of art that I pray will draw men and women’s hearts toward God. It did this for me–and I was only able to see a photograph!
K.S.
Mike I join others in thanking you for the photos–moonlight seemed GOD’s touch of applause for Jack Maxwell’s use of his gifts. Praise GOD for that! From my earliest childhood memories, I’ve wanted to fly, and I’m not talking airplanes. “Jacob’s Dream” brings back that longing. I’ll be a grateful visitor there often, Lord willing.
Just imagining out loud, I wonder if Jesus’ carpentry skills were ever put to use for artistic purposes? I think so. And I think he appreciated beauty, sentiment, and audacious acts that honored the creator.
Remember the woman who anointed Jesus at Bethany (Mark 14:1-9)? Some complained that all that beautiful perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus didn’t stop this audacious act of honor. Jesus didn’t ignore the poor (They poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want, he said) but neither did he chastise beauty and something done to honor and glorify the Lord.
He knew art. He knew the poor. The gospel has room for both.
BTW, if you wish to see more pictures, here is my friend’s link:
http://web.mac.com/donaldphilipsimpson/iWeb/Site/Jacob%27s%20Ladder%20at%20ACU.html
Thanks for the plug Paul! And Mike, “Thanks” for allowing all voices/opinions to be heard/read on this BLOG – even when they do not agree. I have visited Jacob’s Ladder for the past three days, and every-time I view it there is something new that strikes humility within me. In a similar vein, it is like the three times I went to see “The Passion of the Christ.” Each viewing drew/draws out significant emotions, knowledge, and even facets of thinking that I had never thought about. It is part of our human experience to create for ourselves and for others. Ultimately, God will be the judge of whether these things were done for His glory or for ours. Whether we choose a life of poverty or it is thrust upon it, or whether we ease our convictions in wealth through giving what we can or beyond our measure – the attitude of our hearts towards God and each other in these offerings speaks more than any praise or disapproval ever will. I am extremely grateful for God’s own creations of His glory, as well as our own humble attempts.
I have been following this discussion and have tried to not even address the negative things being said but I can’t hold back now. This sculpture has drawn me back and it has only been up for a little over a day. God’s story is being told. I think that is what is important here. Jacob had just come from an argument and was concerned about the direction of his life and God came to him and gave him direction and told him how special he was to him. God is asking us to look up and see the direction he is pointing. When I see those angels reaching for the heavens, I want to reach with them. I am just one person and I know that many others will be feeling similar things…this is just from one day…Art is important…art is a gift from God…and God wants his story told.