Zwingel Illustrated Bible History Timeline (Pictures of Artwork Included)

Recently, I was graciously given a box of Bible history maps by a parishioner's friend whose husband had been an Sunday School Superintendent for many years.

One of the maps was not actually a map at all. It was an illustrated Bible History Timeline. Or perhaps you would call it an Illustrated Biblical Chronology. Either way, it is an incredibly interesting and well done piece of educational art. The piece was made by Rev. Rudolph P. Zwingel, a Missouri Synod pastor whom I do not yet know much about.

Luther in English Poetry

Note: Thank you to Pr. Andrew Gray for providing us with an intriguing post about Luther and poetry (a most neglected art).

 

The impetus for this post is the finding of a 1938 book called Martin Luther in English Poetry. (Catalog listing)  It consists of poems that have something to do with Luther and the Reformation.  The poems were “selected and edited” by W.G. Polack.

In the Days of Solomon by P.E. Kretzmann

P.E. Kretzmann was intensely interested in Christian Education, writing many educational books, especially for children, and books concerning education . To whet your appetite, an interesting work, Education among the Jews from the earliest times to the end of the Talmudic period, 500 A.D., is available online here.

In the Days of Solomon is a not well known book for middle school children. (126 pages) It was published by The Book Concern of Columbus, OH in 1932, probably, but a date is not given. One brief complaint concerning format is that besides the beautiful picture on the cover, there are no pictures, maps, etchings, artwork, etc. at all. The book is a historical novel set in the reign of Solomon during the building of the Temple. While I have some misgivings concerning historical novels set within biblical history, this approach is certainly to be preferred to a "retelling" of the biblical story that mixes the text and interpretation/commentary into a substitution for the real Scriptures. I'm a Biblicist, give the kids the real thing!

In the Days of Solomon, however, is certainly for deeper study and contemplation on the Scriptures since it presupposes basic biblical knowledge and does not presume to supplant the actual words of God. It is told from the point of view of an Israelite family of a man named Nathan in Bethlehem, in particular, the son Samuel. Kretzmann emphasizes that the family's center of existence, according to the Word of The Lord, is their home life. The father models a devoted husband's sense of responsibility and leadership as the head of the household, and the mother's glory is as godly wife and queen of the hearth. The importance of family worship and religious education is stressed throughout the book. The solemnity and reverence of worship at the Tabernacle is highlighted, as well as reverence and obedience to the Lord's Word in the home. Outside of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, there are two trips made, one to Joppa, and one to the Jordan Valley, which provide an opportunity for further geographical survey and historical tie-ins. The culmination of the story is the completion and dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem which the parents and older children attend.

For what it is, it is well done. While there are major potential pitfalls in such an undertaking, Kretzmann is a well-grounded and knowledgeable servant of the Word. Most modern examples of this genre are usually tragic failures, written by folks neither called nor prepared to undertake the challenge of producing godly and faithful materials for the religious education of the young. The common deficiencies of these sorts of books are usually not malicious, but rather spring from the ignorance of the writer who is not sensitive to (or even aware of) what is biblically and confessionally appropriate. Kretzmann, on the other hand, is knowledgeable of his material and sensitive to his goal and purpose--to further educate and develop the faith and life of his readers. He succeeds in his endeavor.

I appreciate In the Days of Solomon, and would confidently give it to my own children (and will!) around the age of 10-12. It is an interesting novel which will help familiarize children with "everyday family life" in ancient Israel and to contemplate how great a gift the Temple was to the O.T. Church, pointing to the Promised Seed, Christ, and His sacrifice and forgiveness.


Need to Get Level: 1/10

It is certainly not a "must-have," but it is a nice book for children who want to know more about life in the undivided kingdom. So, if you are one of the 1 in 10, get one of the three copies I could even track down before they're gone....
http://www.abebooks.com/Days-Solomon-Story-Building-Temple-Kretzmann/1071687725/bd
http://www.amazon.com/Days-Solomon-Story-Building-Temple/dp/B001EY28O2

Christian Art: In the Place and in the Form of Lutheran Worship by P.E. Kretzmann

Published in 1921 by CPH, Christian Art by P.E. Kretzmann can be read for free online and can be downloaded here. Kretzmann, most famous for his Popular Commentary of the Bible, was also a keen observer of the liturgical trends of his day and took a special interest in the proper form and place of art (music, architecture, visual, etc.) and beauty in Christian worship throughout his life. He wrote numerous articles in Concordia Theological Monthly and several books and tracts on liturgical matters.

Two of which are available to be read online:
- A Short Introduction to Church Architecture and Ecclesiastical Art: Especially from the Standpoint of the Lutheran Church
- The Liturgical Element in the Earliest Forms of the Medieval Drama (With Special Reference to the English and German Plays)

Christian Art is really two books in one volume. The first book is entitled "A Handbook of Church Architecture and Ecclesiastical Art," covering first its history, and secondly its execution in a Lutheran church building. The second book is entitled "A Handbook of Liturgy, Hymnology, and Heortology," which goes through the history of the liturgy, a section on hymnology, a section on heortology, and closes with "The Liturgical Content of the Lutheran Services." Please see the table of contents online for more detail.

I have always been impressed with P.E. Kretzmann and his work, especially his ability to cover vast amounts of terrain succinctly yet comprehensively. I have not read this volume cover to cover yet, but I am sure he succeeds yet again in this volume. The artwork and pictures are worth a perusal alone. The book is a helpful guide to the whole subject and history of beauty and art in the church...and by a Lutheran!

Kretzmann himself writes of the book in the preface:

The double volume which is herewith offered to the Lutheran liturgiologists and liturgists of America makes no claim of being an exhaustive presentation. It is merely, as the subtitle states, a hand-book for the student, for the busy pastor, and for all those interested in Christian art from the Lutheran standpoint and in the liturgical heritage of the Reformation. The references and  foot-notes, however, may prove of value to such as wish to make a more detailed study of any section.

Need to Get Level: 6/10

It is excellent, it is awesome, but it will run you 25-50 bucks at the places I have seen. But with that said...you will regret not getting it. So if you are a pastor or layman that deeply cares for beauty in Christian worship, wishes to learn more, and want a helpful handbook--get it!