Words and Images
WORDS
Words are powerful. Words convey meaning; that is to say they are the means of communicating and receiving knowledge of a particular truth or fact. Words are an expression of information that when arranged in a rational order are capable of expressing an endless wealth of knowledge and understanding. In the study of intelligent design we find that there are three great principles at work in the physical universe: matter, energy, and information; information being the most remarkable of the three. It is through information that matter and energy consist; a fact that Darwinian evolutionists choose to ignore. The presence of information necessitates the presence of a preexistent intelligence; that, of course, being God. Information, expressed through his word, is the foundation of God's creative work in this universe.
"The Lord by wisdom has founded the earth; By understanding he has established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew." (Proverbs 3:19-20)
"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3)
"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth". (Psalm 33:6)
"For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast". (Psalm 33:9)
The 17th,18th, and 19th centuries, in particular, comprised an era of time when words reigned supreme. The emphasis on literacy and knowledge, which originally began as a quest to better understand the Bible, was the foundation that ushered in modern progress. Western culture freely embraced the word of God; weaving it into the fabric of society. In one sense, it could be said that words were the means by which God blessed and prospered the western world. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;" (Psalm 33:12a.) God’s word is truth; the highest knowledge, given as a vital necessity and provision for mankind. It is the only tangibly definitive source of divine thought and wisdom available to us in this present world. There is an urgent divine call extended to every soul on earth to take careful heed to his word and to receive his instruction.
"O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord." (Jeremiah 22:29)
“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not: neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote you: she shall bring you to honor, when you embrace her.” (Proverbs 4:5-8).
The wisdom mentioned here does not refer to "mere wisdom", in and of itself. Wisdom, in the book of Proverbs, refers to the wisdom of God that can only be gained by gaining God himself. It can only be had through a relationship with the Spirit of God. This is "wisdom from above" not the "wisdom from below". Jesus Christ is the personification of God's wisdom. The wisdom that is from below is the earthly wisdom of men; which stands in direct opposition to God’s wisdom. This kind of wisdom abounds in this world and is pervasively prominent in every aspect of culture. It imposes vain and misleading philosophies and erroneous conclusions into the arena of art and science. It offers one of two options to those that buy into it; either a human “virtue” apart from God, (of course) or a base immorality that sinks to the lowest levels of human depravity. It’s single purpose, by design, is to deny God glory and his rightful place in this present world.
Those who know God and are acquainted with his ways understand that art and science belong to God; along with everything else that he has created. Secularized talents are misplaced talents. As I practice creative photography it is my desire that my work, and the spirit behind my work, would serve as a refreshing departure from the norm. I hope that it will present a pure and decent interpretation of this beautiful and glorious world that God has made. If there is any “expression” in my work, it is that He is all in all, and the God of all. All things were made by him and for him and everything he has made declares his glory. Any talents or abilities that he has given me, as expressed in my photography, point back to Him.
Please set aside some time to read the first 5 chapters of the Old Testament book of Proverbs for more on this subject. It is powerfully life changing. The chief purpose behind these things is that you would discover the love and grace of God and be reconciled to him by faith. For more on the subject of intelligent design I recommend the DVD "Unlocking The Mystery Of Life". This presentation on intelligent design dismantles Darwin's theory of evolution in a very simple and irrefutable manner. It can make an honest evolutionist reconsider his position.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)
IMAGES
The advent of modern photography, of course, brought with it the ability to express knowledge or information thru the medium of images. Over the years, as technology advanced, images became more and more powerful and therefore more effective in their communication. The saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, bears this out and is true in one sense; yet in another sense, it could be truly stated that a picture does not share the same “worth” as words. Words encourage proactive thinking and the rational expression of thought, whereas, images lead the mind in a more passive response to a visual stimulus. Images have their place in our lives, but should not be allowed to replace the rational word. Unfortunately they are doing just that.
What does all this have to do with the foreword to my gallery of photographs? If the secular world of art can push it's godless, humanistic, and abstract philosophies upon the masses, then I can certainly declare a biblical world view from within, this, the sphere of my own domain. The world view I have embraced defines who I am and cannot be separated from the purpose of my life, the way I think, or anything I do or create. I make mention of these things as a declaration of faith in a world that has cast faith aside.
On a somewhat different note let me say that we live in a culture that is awash with an over abundance of powerful imagery. It Is everywhere we turn. Books, magazines, advertisements, movies, television, shopping malls, internet, and every new electronic gadget on the market constantly flood us with images. We are all overcharged and supersaturated with these images. The purpose behind this imagery is to discourage rational thinking and get us to impulsively respond to it’s many initiations; initiations that are many times impure and misleading. As a result we have become dull and desensitized to words, as well as, the beauty and proper place of quality images. Prior to the digital age of image overload most people were more deeply moved by fine art and photography. Today, in our image overloaded state, our response is, “oh, that’s nice”, (yawn). Unless you are one who holds a guarded appreciation for the beauty of creative photography, and an ability to slow down, recognize, and savor a good picture, then this gallery will probably be of little interest to you.
Personally, I enjoy fine art photography in much the same way as one would enjoy a good book, film, or piece of music. I love a great picture and really enjoy slowly studying an admired collection of photographs; returning to them from time to time to experience them anew. I often visit and revisit the respected works of other photographers. As a matter of fact, it is one of the ways I develop and sharpen my photographic “eye”. It unconsciously inspires new ideas for seeing, composing, and making pictures.
Hopefully, these thoughts have refreshed your interest not only for photography, but more importantly, for the things of a more divine and eternal nature. I welcome you to slow down, step into my gallery, and enjoy what I have endeavored to make an untainted rendering of the things that we have been graciously given to freely enjoy.
With the truest intent, I give you my best,
Ron
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