Overturn the Tables

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Art and Literature

Art in Lliterature, art from literature, art for literature, art on litertature; art was introduced to literature as early as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Exodus 31:2–4

“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass.”

"the grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God stands forever"
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Here, God Himself appoints an artist (Bezaleel) to create beautiful designs for the tabernacle. This reflects how art and faith go hand in hand, with artistry serving as a visual testimony alongside God’s Word.

Collection X:

Justification in Christ alone, to more.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs (c. 3000 BC)

Text and image were combined on temple walls, papyri, and tombs. Stories, prayers, and records were written alongside painted or carved illustrations.

Mesopotamian Tablets (c. 2000 BC)

Epic stories like the Epic of Gilgamesh appeared on clay tablets sometimes with symbolic artwork or cylinder seal impressions.

Greek and Roman Manuscripts (c. 500 BC – 400 AD)

While many early texts were plain, illustrated scrolls (such as those depicting Homer’s epics or Roman histories) existed, especially with decorative borders and images to accompany stories.

Illuminated Manuscripts (c. 400–1400 AD)

This is the major turning point. Christian monks in Europe copied Scripture and other works, decorating them with gold leaf, borders, and illustrations.

15th century (after 1450)

With Gutenberg’s press, woodcut illustrations began appearing in printed books. Early printed Bibles, devotional works, and even secular tales used images to enhance meaning.

Martin Luther first used printing to explain Christian faith in 1517–1518

At the start of the Reformation the printing press was absolutely essential to Luther’s success. Before him, reforming ideas often fizzled because they spread slowly. But with print, Luther’s message about justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone reached thousands of people quickly.