song of songs – Curious Christian

Song of Songs as a Mandala

This calligraphic work by Baruch ben Shemaryah, 1794, contains the entire biblical Song of Songs in tiny Hebrew script. It is housed at Yale University Library. I found it while researching Jewish art.

Sexual Longing and Sacred Art

Following are a series of images inspired by the Song of Songs, a celebration of sexual love that is unique within the Old Testament scripture. “Song of Songs – Verse 3” by Anna Ruth Heriques “Song of Songs” by Eric Gill “Song of Songs” by Ruth Galanti “Song of Songs” by Yaron Livey For moreContinue reading “Sexual Longing and Sacred Art”

Whom my soul loves

This image was reportedly inspired by Song of Songs 3. Upon my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer. “I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares;Continue reading “Whom my soul loves”

Black and Beautiful?

I fear something has been lost here in artistic translation. Consider this image inspired by the Song of Songs, then consider the verse below from the Song of Songs. Can you spot the incongruity? I am black and beautiful, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. DoContinue reading “Black and Beautiful?”

Sensual Scripture

The Song of Songs, that most sensual of Old Testament poems, is not directly quoted by New Testament writers. But some New Testament interpreters suggest it is alluded to on a number of occasions. See what you think. The bridegroom knocks I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: “Open to me,Continue reading “Sensual Scripture”

The Sacred Marriage in Pagan and Christian Dialogue

Is YHWH unbalanced without a wife? I recently had a conversation with a number of Pagans and Christians that was very helpful for me in crystalizing my thinking on gender and God and why Pagans and Christians often end up talking past each other on God and gender issues. I now think a significant pieceContinue reading “The Sacred Marriage in Pagan and Christian Dialogue”

Contemporary Christian art – Song of Songs

Contemporary Christian art without a religious aftertaste. That’s the tag line of Christian art painter Cornelis Monsma, who describes himself as “a modern day self-professed expressionist visual artist [who] seeks to create modern Christian fine art work that aims to visualise the deeper truth of Christianity.” This painting, inspired by the Song of Songs in the OldContinue reading “Contemporary Christian art – Song of Songs”

Sacred Sex

Let’s talk about sex baby! I was reading the Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism and was drawn to this extract from Orot ha-Qodesh by Abraham Isaac Kook on sacred sexuality: “Sexual union is holy and pure, when performed in the right way, at the right time, and with the right intention. Let noContinue reading “Sacred Sex”