An Artistic Approach to New Testament Literature

An Artistic Approach to New Testament Literature is a first introductory textbook for late high school or college students and would serve well in a freshman experience course. Historical criticism informs the background commentary. Biblical texts are described according to the formal art elements of form line color and texture. Other artistic terms such as perspective and focal point are used to characterize biblical passages. Thought-provoking questions and art projects are provided for exploration in the foreground or in the world in front of the text. This book is a bridge between church and academy. If church leaders or teachers have questions for the author they are invited to contact her through e-mail at Shrnrchace@aol.com. This is an excellent overview of contemporary New Testament scholarship. I recommend it highly as a book for adult study groups in mainstream churches. The suggested creative activities are particularly interesting. -Rev. Dr. Lois N. Sundeen retired minister United Church of Christ Sharon Chaces attention to artistic elements such as line form color and texture opens up a unique visual perspective on the New Testament books. Teachers will appreciate the ideas for art projects that enable young people to engage this perspective through active learning. -Jocelyn McWhirter Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Albion College An Artistic Approach is a key that unlocks a complicated volume for either the younger reader or one of any age beginning a faith quest who wants to understand what the Bible is and how it came to be. In addition this work adds its own sense of texture to scripture. It points to a richness that can create greater depth to this book of faith in a similar way that beautiful fabric enhances textile art. Sharon Chace as an artist reminds me of a quilter assembling her work so that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. -Rev. James M. Perry Director of Ministries Minnesota Annual Conference The United Methodist Church Sharon R. Chace has studied at Andover Newton Theological School and Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools and has received the Master of Theological Studies degree from Weston Jesuit School of Theology Cambridge Massachusetts. Her articles poems and childrens stories have been published in a variety of journals. Her most recently published book is Portfolio of Painterly Poems: A Pilgrims Path to God (Resource Publications 2006).