Thangka Project 1

One of the ideas we try to impart to our students in the SOFM is the concept of using redeemable cultural forms to express gospel truth.  One of my favorite examples of this is The Hope project.  This is a collection of 4 Thangkas (traditional form of Tibetan art) used to chronologically walk people from creation to Christ. One of the major hindrances in bringing the gospel to unreached peoples is that Christianity is so often associated with western culture.  This makes people feel that they need to become American or western in order to follow Jesus.  Thus, cross-cultural workers need to find ways to communicate that Jesus is a God for all people, not just westerners.  

Projects like these are aimed at portraying that fact.  Everything, from how the painting is arranged, to the way people and scenery are portrayed are done in traditional Tibetan style. In every painting you'll notice a nomad.  He represents you and I, ordinary people searching for truth. Today we'll look at the first one.  The stories included in this one are; God the everlasting, creation, introduction to the spirit world (angels & demons), the Garden of Eden, and finally the fall/exile from Eden.