GENESISSuffering

Head VI

Francis Bacon(1909 -1992)

GENESIS

2 Samuel 6:6-7 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it. The anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of God.

Garden of Earthly DelightsHieronymus Bosch

(c.1450-1516 )

Hell

Extract from the right panel ofThe Garden of Earthly Delights

Hell (again)

When the Morning Stars Sang(from the Book of Job)

William Blake (1757-1827)

Job 38:3-7 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

C.S. Lewis(1898 – 1963)

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

(The Problem of Pain)

The ScreamEdvard Munch(1863 –1944)

“I am a more sensitive person, a more effective pastor, a more sympathetic counselor because of Aaron’s life and death then I would ever have been without it.  And I would give up all of those gains in a second if I could have my son back.  If I could choose, I would forego all the spiritual growth and depth which has come my way because of our experience, and be what I was fifteen years ago, an average rabbi, an indifferent counselor, helping some people and unable to help others, and the father of a bright, happy boy.  But I cannot choose.”

Phnom Penh Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

Matthias Grünewald(c.1475-1528) The Crucifixion

God is love: and he enfoldethall the world in one embrace; with unfailing grasp he holdeth every child or every race. And when human hearts are breaking under sorrow’s iron rod, then they find that self-same aching deep within the heart of God.

GENESIS