This is a follow-up to an earlier video that I posted of an interview with Akiane, a young prodigy of an artist who has captured worldwide attention. Now 16, she began painting at the age of four, usually using visions she experienced as her subject matter.
What brought her to my attention was the book I just reviewed "Heaven Is For Real." Young Colton, who had a near-death experience and shared his encounters, spoke often about meeting Jesus. Everywhere that they saw a painting of Jesus they would ask Colton if that's what He looked like. Colton would always respond in the negative.
As Todd Burpo began to share the story of his son's heavenly encounter, someone came to him after a speaking engagement and told him he needed to check out this young girl's art. Much of it dealt with the theme of heaven and spiritual realities. As he went to this little girl's web-site he found a surprising, non-traditional, painting of Jesus which Akiane had painted as an 8 year old. He called his son to him and asked Colton: "What's wrong with this one?" He stood staring at the screen for several minutes, studying the painting. Finally, he turned to his father and announced, "Dad, that one's right."
You can find the portrait at Akiane's web-site. Remember that this painting was done when she was eight year's old. Let me know your thoughts.
Articles of Interest:
Is Heaven For Real?
Book Review - "Heaven Is For Real"
Drawing Heaven
What Is A Christ-follower?
Posts
9 comments:
I am not sure about this picture (especially after seeing the prices for her work). The historical pictures of Jesus tend to pattern after the shroud. Recently I learned the manner of haircuts for the jews was polling. As I understand the method, a man would (yearly) gather his hair at the nap of his neck, and whatever came out of the other end of his fist was cut off. Hair shorter than this was usually reserved for those who worship the sun (Ba'al and others).
So Paul's admonission against long hair would be longer than we would customerily think of it. That being the case, this picture has the hair too short.
2nd point: in this pic, I do not see the nail marks. The scriptures are clear, Jesus, even in his glorified body, retains the nail holes and the open wound from the spear.
on that basis, this would NOT be a picture of Jesus.
the kid does show talent.
I think we're referring to two different pictures. The one mentioned in the book is a facial shot only. There would be no visible scars. Also, I don't think the hair style in Biblical times necessarily translates to a supernatural body. That being said - it's interesting to think about.
Ron, the painting of the Prince of Peace was before Jesus was crucified. From one of the interview videos, she said it was when he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Just wanted to share.
I really enjoyed the book 'Heaven is for Real' it kept pointing back to Jesus..it was Biblical, Jesus is the way to God (the only way to God). I was a little sad to see Akiane mentioned in the book...if you really go over all that she writes on her website you see things that point to spiritualism and many roads leading to God---for instance, look at the painting 'Enlightenment' and read the script next to it, and further examine the broad descriptions of spiritualism. She is very talented, and a beautiful girl who is very sweet, but it seems that her beliefs are those of a universalist--which is very popular today, but misleading, and not Biblical.Hope no one is misled.
I hear you. My hope is that no-one would take my appreciation of her heart as an endorsement of her theology. There are many who have had experiences which they try to convey through their lens of interpretation, it does not make them right. The Jesus she paints so vividly declared that "Heaven and earth would pass away, but my words will never pass away." It is through the lens of God's Word that we can properly interpret the world. Thanks for writing.
if the picture above is in Gethsemane, I dont see the torment in his face that caused him to sweat great drops of blood.... if she is into spiritualism, she is definitely not painting the real Jesus.
Ron i think that you shouldn't keep dwelling on if the picture is what Jesus actually looks like....she is painting what she believes he looks like and you need to accept that.... but in the end you just have to remember that Jesus is so beautiful and that you don't know what he looks like.
Actually this painting is very accurate of Jesus's time. Men who were fishermen actually had short hair, they were considered what we know as (blue collar workers). They had shorter hair and facial hair because bathing wasn't always an option, plus it was very hot and humid. I learned this by watching the discovery channel I think the show was called " What did Jesus look like". Check it out next time it's on. Plus this is Akiane's art and who are we to judge it! I think it is beautiful : )
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