William Willimon, former chaplain at Duke University, tells about the time Carlyle Marney came to his campus. A student asked, "Dr. Marney, would you say a word or two about the resurrection of the dead?" Marney replied, "I will not discuss that with people like you." "Why not?" asked the student. "I don't discuss such matters with anyone under 30." Marney explained, "Look at you, in the prime of life, potent - never have you known honest-to-God failure, betrayal, impotency,

In our effort to learn about and appreciate the world-wide embrace of Christianity, here are three artworks by Christians on the other side of the world--one contemporary Indian painting and two recordings of Arabic hymns from our brother and sister in the Middle East. Jyoti Sahi (Indian, 1944-), He Who Steps Over-The Tandavan , 1975 In He Who Steps Over—The Tandavan , Sahi draws on Hindu iconography to give us a dancing Christ whose movement over death supplies the primal rh

Frank Wesley (Indian, 1923-2002), As it Began to Dawn LISTEN: “The Women Prepare the Spices (Song of Songs 8)” by Katy Wehr, a setting of Song of Songs 8:6–7, 13–14, on And All the Marys (2018) O set me as a seal upon thy heart O set me as a seal upon thine arm For love is strong, strong as death, my love And jealousy is cruel as the grave Its flashes are the living flame of a blazing fire That cannot be drowned out in a flood All earthly gold in exchange for love Would be ut

"André Kamba Luesa (Congolese, 1944–1995),  La résurrection  (The Resurrection), 1992 In this scratched painting from Congolese artist Luesa, the risen Christ bounds victoriously over the pit of hell—using his cross like a pole vault! The flaming abyss has been conquered, cleared. Having crossed over from death to life, Christ brings humanity with him. That’s why the men, women, and children lift high their hands in celebration. His victory is ours!   The Gospel of Matthew d

“For the hour is coming, when all that are in the tomb will hear His voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life.”  John 5:28–29 There are not many works of art that capture the moment of resurrection. The work that for me is most memorable is a sculpture called “Resurrection” by American Lutheran artist Paul T. Granlund. You’ll find “Resurrection ”  on the sidewalk outside the First Lutheran Church in downtown Pittsburgh. In this imaginative w