One of the things I love about my school (shoutout to DTS) is it’s love of the arts. As is typical in most graduate schools, we turn in a final paper in almost every class. However, at DTS we are given the option to pursue and use our creative talents as well. In the past, I’ve written a song (Battlecry) and some of my friends have made movies. This semester, when taking a class on the trinity, I decided to come up with my own Stained Glass Window (Concept) for the Trinity.

Typically in the past, we’ve used symbols like triangles or 3 leaf clovers to explain the Trinity. That’s how I explained the Trinity for years, especially to all the kids I’ve taught. But by the grace of God, I learned a lot this semester about how the 3 persons in the Trinity function and relate to one another. I learned their distinct and similar roles. And guys, let me tell you: The Lord is so much more beautiful than I ever thought. Because the Lord is 3 in 1, it changes everything for us. The Father did not make us because He needed us, for surely He had the Spirit and the Son before time began. Because of the Son, the Father has always been the Father. His character is not dependent on us. And because He is not dependent on us for anything, He is free to love us unconditionally.

I’m rambling now (and I don’t even know if what I said even made sense) but on side not: If you’re interested in learning about the beauty of the Trinity, I recommend this book. “Delighting in the Trinity” by Michael Reeves. It changed everything about how I view God in less than 100 pages. He is so glorious, more loving, and more wonderful than I could ever and will ever be able to grasp.

Anyways, back to the Stained Glass (Concept) which is really just sharpie and watercolor. One of the most basic things I learned is that the Triangle is not a good picture of the 3 persons relationships. In short, the Son is the Father and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. With that in mind, I wanted to reflect that in my piece, while displaying each of the persons’ unique roles and characteristics.So, I began drawing a circle that would encompass the Father, while drawing another circle inside of that for the Son. 

 

I then drew rays coming out of both circles that would portray the Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son. In each person, I incorporated yellow and orange sunlight, to create a pattern found in each so as to show that all are of the same nature and are equal with one another. I thought it appropriate to use yellow and orange sunlight because the Lord is described in Revelation as being the light of heaven.

     Within the the circle of the Father, the focal point is the hand extending down, which is actually a symbol used in the early church to denote the Father as our Creator. I originally had the hand painted a light brown, but I began to war within myself about what color the Father’s hand should actually be. I decided to make his hand of combination of all races, since we are all made in His image. Around the Father’s hand, I have pictures of His creation. The ocean, symbolizing the depth and mystery of who He is. The mountains, symbolizing his majesty. And the tree, for He is mighty. One side of the Tree is filled with greenery, for it is He who bestows blessing. The other side is barren, for He also brings punishment to the wicked. Beneath His hand, there is a scepter, for He is the Sovereign Ruler of all. The gavel speaks to the Father being the Lord Chief Justice and Law-Giver, who establishes what is right and wrong. Within the hand of the Father is a key, which I used to symbolize the Father as our Loving Reconciler, who established our plan of redemption before the ages of the world. Beneath the Scepter, is the Alpha and Omega sign.

     Next we come to the circle for Christ. In the center, we find another symbol used by the early church, the spotless lamb holding a cross, symbolizing Christ as the spotless and perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. But on that cross hangs a crown, for Christ was victorious over our sins and our death, and He overcame both for us. Behind the lamb, we see the yellow and orange rays of light previously talks about. The rays of light here, are vertical, portraying Jesus,full God, as having descended down from heaven. The bread and the wine beside the lamb symbolizing that Christ is also fully man, the bread symbolizing his body, and his blood the wine. The water from the Father’s circle is carried over to the Son’s circle so as to show that not only is the Son in the Father, but the Father in the Son. Also to the sides of the Lamb, we have the Word, Christ being the Word of God and the revelation of his mysteries. The verses mentioned are John 1:1 and John 14:6-11, the former showing Christ to be the Word, while the latter showing Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

     Lastly, we come to the Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son inside of any who would call of the name of Christ for Salvation and found in the bottom picture, with the flame and the people.  The butterfly denotes the new life that the Spirit imparts. The prayer hands symbolize that the Spirit is our Mediator, who intercedes for us before the Father. Above this, we find a picture of a seal, for Paul describes the Holy Spirit as the Seal of our redemption. Above this, we come to the picture of a hammer and chisel, symbolizing the Spirit as our Sanctifier. Above this at the very top, we find the Dove which is the only visual picture we find in Scripture.

     Around all three, I wrote the words “Holy, Holy, Holy” based of Isaiah 6, surrounded by colors of blue reflecting the majesty and power of the One who is seated on throne and worthy of our ultimate worship.

I’m not gonna lie to you. Painting and designing this piece was incredibly stressful, not only because it encompassed 30% of my grade, but because I didn’t want to get it wrong. The Lord is so beautifully complex, and His ways are so much higher than my mind can fathom. Still, I know He is pleased with my feeble attempts to learn and explain  who He is through art.

I’d love your feedback! What would you change or do differently? What stood out to you?