There is a clear covenant implied in our declaration of Independence-a covenant between God, the People, and the Government. When we, the People turn our hearts to God more than to our government or to ourselves, His Providence increases our personal wisdom and decreases our government dependence. We are individually and collectively freed.
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“Covenant Makers”
Mr. Malm’s introduction to the Diorama embraces the theme; there
is a covenant and I am a part of it. The Caption, “One nation under God”,
and the representation of Americana as a sweeping view with the “old north
church and its steeple pointing towards the heavens captures the message.
I especially loved the haunting eyes of the child, representing the rising
generation, which seem to be saying "this is what we are doing, what are
you going to do?” The faith and love of a child lead us. The family is
front and center in this painting expressing the artists testimony about its
importance to the covenant and the foundation of society . I am impressed
with motion and movement we feel with the Continental volunteer in his hunter’s
shirt. Washington specifically asked volunteers wear this unofficial uniform if
possible because the sight of an armed American carrying his American long
rifle and wearing his hunting frock impressed and terrorized the British giving
advantage to the Americans. The more the American looked and acted like
he could use his arms the less likely he was to have to use it. We,
like this continental soldier, need to be actively moving to make a difference
today.
“Covenant
Protectors”
It is fitting that artist Mike Malm as the lead artist for this
project completes his set depicting the inseparability of covenant makers and
covenant protectors to a free republic. No one should be more honored
than those who become “the servant of all” and willingly put themselves under oath
and do solemnly swear…. These are truly the “greatest among us”. Those
who enter politics to serve-self or place their left hand on the Bible, yet
sign into law that which is not lawful crumble our Republic. Many of the
models for this picture are real covenant keepers, including the soldier who told
leaders that if an order to confiscate the guns of American citizens after the
Katrina hurricane were given, he would not obey them. Lest we forget, the
white headstones are symbolic of the cost of Freedom. This prayer from William
Stephenson during WW II says it well “Dear Lord lest I continue my complacent
way help me remember that somewhere out there a man died for me today- as long
as there be war, I then must ask and answer am I worth dying for?” (pp118 A Man Called Intrepid, William
Stevenson)
“The Divine Perspective”
While we cherish our own
perspective, Mr. Winborg’s painting reminds us a higher and greater view comes
as we seek to know the will, law and mind of God. Our founding document,
the Declaration of Independence, wisely establishes that the Laws of Nature and
Nature’s God are the foundation of the American system.
“Choose Ye This Day”
Mr. Veselka’s epic painting shows that the choices are not
new. In the background is Egypt and Moses, the choice given the ancient
covenant people. The demigod Pharaoh has all earthly power even over life
and death, building great monuments to himself and ruling according to his
will. He is the law unto himself, yet the reality was not even for a
moment was he really in charge. The humble Moses is following God and His
law, leading the people to inherit the Promised Land and experience and grow
from self-determination under God. The people were to become a peculiar
treasure unto the Lord, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Symbolically
the flow of people and time moves along until in the foreground we see the
prophet Samuel, again trying to lead the people away from “the demigod rule
side” towards self -rule under God. We see the gap is widening as
eventually the people reject self –determination and at the same time rejecting
God (1 Sam.6,7) by seeking again to have an earthly king to rule over them.
“The American Covenant”
Mr. Veselka’s painting was produced as a theme-bound set together with Choose ye this Day. Our choice is also a covenant today. Like a holy marriage, the covenant is between God, the people and the government. Only this covenant has power to preserve liberty and the life of prosperity and happiness we have long enjoyed. It is easy to see our self in this painting, but more important to see our self in this covenant. This marriage, in our day, is failing; the best hope of reconciliation is to put God back into the relationship. The religious leadership of America must lead! Our forgotten founding document, the Declaration of Independence re-establishes the relevancy of religion, puts God back into the relationship and again must become a part of our government if our nation as a constitutional republic is to be saved.
“The Great Awakening”
Without the great awakening there could not have been an American
Revolution. The pulpits of America were aflame with the spirit of
liberty. America needs great religious leaders today to again embrace the Godly
cause of liberty. Mr. Winborg captures the spiritual separation from
European religion. European Religion supported state control.
American Religion became about individual salvation and responsibility and was
absolutely vital to the birth of the Republic. This revolutionary mindset
prepared the people to dare to consider individual sovereignty under God, hence
the unofficial motto of the revolution “no king but King Jesus”. I love
the great feeling in this painting which prepares us for a second great
awakening in preparation for a nation to be “born again”.
“God Protects the Covenant”
Mr. Griffith’s painting is the lead into the great miracles of the
covenant including the five times during the American Revolution General
Washington called upon this people, congress and soldiers to offer fasting and
prayers of gratitude in recognition that God had turned the tide of battle in
favor of the American cause. The statue is representative of the legacy, the
garden in indicative that the legacy is alive and growing but neglected and
parched, the storm is representative of the intense national storms we
currently face. These storms are the very thing that can revive our
legacy garden if we turn to God. Ronald Reagan put it this way, “If we
remove one nation under God, we will become one nation gone under.” The shallow
rooted (faddish) plants of the foreground may not make it, but the deep rooted
part of the garden in the rear still has strength and when re-nourished from Heaven
will thrive.
“Miracle #1.The Deliverance of Boston, The Fog Miracle”
Mr. Gudmundsen’s powerful art captures the spirit of deliverance
as the miracle played out. Originally it was thought to put together a
collage bringing together numerous miraculous events each a part of the
miracle, including the calling of George Washington, the fall of Ft.
Ticonderoga without firing a shot done in the name of the Great Jehovah and the
Continental Congress, the impossible mission to retrieve the fort’s cannon in
winter by Knox, The whole army basically leaving when enlistments expired and a
new replacement army in without being exploited by the British, The
two intense blizzards preventing counter-attack and others. The
blessings proved more than room enough to receive on a single canvas, so the
artist wisely choose a representative event. The fog arriving in time to cover
the taking of Dorchester Heights, which was key to forcing the British retreat
from Boston. The muted tone of the painting adds mood and feeling as
Americans work together in partial darkness but above the fog, each man and
beast fulfilling his role and part of the miracle.
“Miracle #2. Battle of Trenton, Hope Survives”
This emotional piece by Mr. Clark lets us experience the surrender
of the Hessian soldiers at Trenton. The spirit of sacrifice is portrayed
in the wounds to the feet of the shoeless young soldier his feet wrapped in
rags and the evidence of the wounds, crimson blood in his snowy tracks. This is
historically correct. The young American has not held back his devotion and
been personally engaged as evident by the wound to the forehead. This
painting must be experienced up close to feel the expressions captured by the
artist. The surprise and bewilderment of the professional Hessian soldier
reputed to be the toughest and most determined in the world is stark and
equally captured by the expression of the young, untrained, ill clothed,
American accepting the surrender. In the background is the General.
The dark night of defeat, retreat, sacrifice, pleading and planning has been
given new hope with the dawn of a blessed day. The Iconic painting of
Washington crossing the Delaware tells part of the story; this painting
emotionally captures the rest.
“Miracle #3 Benjamin Franklin’s Mission to France”
The vibrancy of Mr. Franklin in this setting of the French court
representing the American cause comes to life in Mr. Winborg’s painting.
This was a much needed miracle, for without the French assistance the cause had
no reliable source of powder, ball and military supply. Only Franklin’s
inspiration and genius could have accomplished this mission by first the winning
of the hearts of the French people and second the diplomatic recognition and
support of the American cause. The state of the French people is also
accurately portrayed and felt. Sadly, in a few short years the French
nation would also turn to revolution but without turning to God. The
results were horrible beyond description. The “godless revolution” to
overthrow existing condition continues on today as does the revolution towards
God. The wisdom of Mr. Franklin steers us toward the latter.
“Miracle #4
Judas/Benedict Arnold; Treachery and the Saving of West Point”
Had Arnold held on a little longer history would have honored him
as one of five truly great military revolutionary leaders. Instead, he is
vilified in infamy. If we fail this cause, our name will become associated with
the traitorous Arnold instead of the American founders. Mr. Edwards’s symbolic
painting has Arnold opening a door with reflection obscuring the future.
He has already clothed himself in the uniform of the enemy.
Imperfections in the glass distort and uglify the reflected image. We
only see part of Arnold’s face, reminding us that History only tells us part of
his story. Remember his hurt pride as congress snubbed him twice and only
made good after Washington’s personal intervention, his resolve weakened
physically after being wounded twice in the same place, his moral fortitude
dampened by drinking and incurring gambling debt, married to a tori wife
added temptation. What are our excuses? Will we pass our
test? In the background is a reflection of WestPoint, a
church and a family (his family) indicating betrayal of God, county and sadly
one’s own family and posterity. We love the early Arnold for his dashing
bravery, competence and leadership, yet he failed his test. We sadly
remember Benedict Arnold.
“Miracle # 5 The Tide of the Battle Turns in the South “
America passed the test and was given the miracle gift of victory.
Center and front is General O’Hara representing the nation of Great Britain and
symbolically giving his sword in surrender. This, the surrender of the
British at Yorktown, was the final great battle of the war. The Americans
came to battle significantly outmatched and underdog, but miracle upon miracle
gave advantage and victory. Artist Warren Neary, who is a military
historian and painter, powerfully captures the essence. Left background
is the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion, who never had more than 60 men under his
command but with, faith, skilled leadership, determination and using guerrilla
tactics, bottled up 5000 British regulars. On the right is General
Lafayette, who pursued and pushed the British to their ill fate.
Washington had been able to slip away un-noticed in the north to lead the final
assault. The relentless cannonade made holing up impractical and the
arrival of the French fleet sealed the escape.
“The Sixth Miracle, We the people, the Miracle of Philadelphia.”
The bright light of the new era of freedom bursts forth upon a
signed and completed United States Constitution. The five miracles
establishing the Declaration are not complete without the miracle of the
Constitution. Likewise the Constitution fails if not interpreted in light
of the grand principles of the Declaration. The Constitution is the “how to”
manual to deliver the promise of the Declaration. The Declaration is the
pedigree of authority, the covenant and vows of marriage between God, the People
and the government. The enemies of the Constitution, the enemies of
religious principle and the enemies of the rights and responsibilities of the
people despise the Declaration as the interpretive filter. God raised up wise
men, inspired their words, fortified their resolve to complete and tempered
their prejudice to bring together this, the world first written national
Constitution. Larry Winborg’s love of this document is captured in his
art. Benjamin Franklin said it well when this work was nearing completion.
Reflecting upon the sun symbol on the back of Washington’s chair and the
difficulty in telling if it was setting or rising. He now testified that it is
a rising sun!
“Remembrances, the Benediction”
Our experience enables us to act directionally in the
future. Debra Teare chose mementos in a box as her subject. Each
piece was chosen for its significance. The art is so real the temptation
is to pick up and handle each piece. The hope and prayer is this message
is something you will reach for and make a part of your life. Debra does not do
huge art pieces, but rather puts incredible detail into what is right before
her. We likewise must give attention to the detail of our efforts and
make them real and effective. Our benediction, the mementos of our life
will reflect the values we put into our box and we will be remembered for what
they are. Will they be trivial and fleeting or solid and lasting?
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