Recalibration (Metanoia)
About the painting - takeaway value
The central theme is about how the God-of-Israel can choose to purposely frustrate our degraded - even "christian" - views on Him. God the Creator and Father of man is not afraid to put us to the test.
Keeping strangely silent while we cry out to Him, stumbling and groping about in agony and distress; even across his very throne hall...
It's like He sometimes deliberately puts us "on hold", refusing to answer or comfort us in any way.
Till we crumble and the real quality of our heart is revealed to us unforseen, and we finally "see through" what was blinding us all along.
Getting a purified understanding of what his Heart is really like ...
What seemed like some kind of cruel test, in the end was for our best.
March 2011, this second painting within that series, was finished.
Originally it was given a title in German language:
Kraft - Schöpfen ...which is hard to translate (suggestions on this from native English speakers are welcome ;-)
The German word "Kraft" means Energy/Capacity/Force/Fortitude, while the German word "schöpfen" is a verb with multiple meanings: 1) to ladle / to spoon, 2) to derive, 3) to create (ex nihilo).
I choose to translate it with the title Recalibration. Sometimes we need a fresh calibration, a new reboot so to speak. Let me also suggest the Greek word Metanoia here. Metanoia means a transformative change of heart; especially : a spiritual conversion. (See below)
In this painting Recalibration (Metanoia) the basic theme of the The Dark Throne series comes into play in a new distinctive way.
Like mentioned above, the theme of The Dark Throne deals with The-Father-frustrating-our-dumb-religious-views about Him. A test finally meant to empower us.
A test we have to fail... but after all is said and done, we are in a new way levelling with Him!
A bit less "religion-izing" God, and a step further into more truthfully (and thus more fruitfully) relating to Who He really is: The respectable Judge and the loving Shepherd!
A re-creating act really.
About the painting - takeaway value
The central theme is about how the God-of-Israel can choose to purposely frustrate our degraded - even "christian" - views on Him. God the Creator and Father of man is not afraid to put us to the test.
Keeping strangely silent while we cry out to Him, stumbling and groping about in agony and distress; even across his very throne hall...
It's like He sometimes deliberately puts us "on hold", refusing to answer or comfort us in any way.
Till we crumble and the real quality of our heart is revealed to us unforseen, and we finally "see through" what was blinding us all along.
Getting a purified understanding of what his Heart is really like ...
What seemed like some kind of cruel test, in the end was for our best.
March 2011, this second painting within that series, was finished.
Originally it was given a title in German language:
Kraft - Schöpfen ...which is hard to translate (suggestions on this from native English speakers are welcome ;-)
The German word "Kraft" means Energy/Capacity/Force/Fortitude, while the German word "schöpfen" is a verb with multiple meanings: 1) to ladle / to spoon, 2) to derive, 3) to create (ex nihilo).
I choose to translate it with the title Recalibration. Sometimes we need a fresh calibration, a new reboot so to speak. Let me also suggest the Greek word Metanoia here. Metanoia means a transformative change of heart; especially : a spiritual conversion. (See below)
In this painting Recalibration (Metanoia) the basic theme of the The Dark Throne series comes into play in a new distinctive way.
Like mentioned above, the theme of The Dark Throne deals with The-Father-frustrating-our-dumb-religious-views about Him. A test finally meant to empower us.
A test we have to fail... but after all is said and done, we are in a new way levelling with Him!
A bit less "religion-izing" God, and a step further into more truthfully (and thus more fruitfully) relating to Who He really is: The respectable Judge and the loving Shepherd!
A re-creating act really.
* Metanoia ( μετάνοια ) means a transformative change of mind and heart; especially a spiritual conversion. Christians tend to use it in a rather narrow way, singling out mainly the aspect of repentance. However, metanoia denotes the whole process of experiencing a break down and subsequent, positive and profound psychological re-building or healing.
The Dark Throne Series
Biographical background
Back in 2004, I suffered a severe, religious burn out. My soul left „church“ almost broke. I had the feeling that the personal God Who is there was just too invisible and too silent to bear. Even so, it was clear as crystal to me, that I would never be able to reasonably question His existence, let alone ignore His presence above and throughout the universe. Therefore, I felt utterly trapped.
Like if I had fallen into a roaring sea that continually sucked me under. Smashing me endlessly against grinding cliffs. Pinned down and helpless, I remembered my nothingness, I was mere dust and ashes. Somehow I felt some of the „reckless“ might and sovereign authority of God-our-Father („swallowing ocean“), as likewise I did sense His „stern“ will and resolve of character („cliffs“).
My projected ideas about God were faltering. Clearly, He was not going to be manipulated by them, ever. Shockingly I woke up to His dangerous side (the severity of God really balances His kindness; He is both and even more!). I was wrestling in the sea with the One! In almost the same manner, I was groping blindly before His very throne seat! And all of this happening in a total silence, a consuming darkness. Like a sort of inexplicable test requiring you to fail.
At some point I stepped into the void, deciding to pay Him out in his own coin. Now I was going to turn a blind eye to Him! Too far gone as to fear any damnation. This act of defiance helped me regain a sense of self. For years I had been crying out in vain for some heavenly response. Then at last, I stopped hoping for Him to answer me, and quietness finally set in.
„Lovely, isn't it! This intimacy between us now?“ That hit the nail right on. Oh paradox! Though I refused to address Him any longer, trying to shut Him out through stubborn silence, I had in fact been unable to do so completely. In the end I was just too familiar and besotted with His presence. Fully suprised I did notice, that apparently, the Living One Father wasn't even offended by my harsh acting-out. On the contrary, and astonishingly so, He even dropped that "reply sentence" in my mind with a slight undertone of guarded respect! Making it clear, that in case I would decide to stay mad at Him, He would not hold that against me. Go figure!
These testing grounds are here to stay. Anchoring me from on high, inspiring me with trust. The real deal. Our sovereign God really is in charge with excellent timing. My surrender comes less frantic now. I've come to understand that divine pressurizing of the soul somewhat resembles the proces of cutting diamonds.
The Dark Throne Series - Overview
Throne, 2001 - Gian MerlevedeThis painting Throne, 2001 served as a prefiguration of The Dark Throne Series Acrylics on thick paper. 67x97 cm → Photo Details |
The Dark Throne, 2010 - Gian MerlevedeRecalibration (Metanoia), 2011 - Gian MerlevedeGlowing Throne (Above Snow Covered Fields of Mansfeld Country), 2013 - Gian Merlevede
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Copyright Artborne Erdeborn / Merlevede