Our Lenten study this year was developed at the Candler School of Theology, one of 13 seminaries of the United Methodist Church. Two of Candler’s most distinctive features—its distinguished faculty and its impressive collection of art by John August Swanson—come together in What Wondrous Love: Holy Week in Word and Art, a DVD and study designed for the Lenten season.
In What Wondrous Love, Holy Week and Easter come alive in video commentaries by Candler faculty, paired with illustrations by Swanson. The DVD features commentaries by the faculty scholars plus a Swanson work of art focused on a familiar Scripture passage. Faculty commentators include Thomas G. Long, Luke Timothy Johnson, Carol A. Newsom, Steven J. Kraftchick, Jan Love, Walter Wilson, Carl Holladay, Joel LeMon, and Andrea C. White.
Los Angeles-based artist John August Swanson is known worldwide for his finely detailed, brilliantly colored paintings and original prints. His works are displayed in some of the world’s most prestigious museums, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, The Art Institute of Chicago, London’s Tate Gallery, the Vatican Museums’ Collection of Modern Religious Art, and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Candler holds the world’s largest collection of Swanson’s art.
Study participants will watch the video together each time we meet and will engage in thought-provoking questions to spark fresh insights into the Bible story.
The Bible Study group meets from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in Second Hall. All are welcome to come.