Find Art All Around Orange County Florida
Sponsored by Arts & Cultural Affairs
Featured Work
Baptism
Window/Panel (INTERIOR)
Central Christian Church
About the Artwork
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was birthed by men who had high respect for the sensible, rational abilities of man. All the pioneering fathers were men of intellect who were greatly influenced by the rational writings of philosophers such as John Lock. They admired America's own resident rational philosopher, Thomas Jefferson.
Much of this insistance upon a rational approach to religion was in response to the highly emotional, illiterate nature of much of the frontier preaching. The pioneer fathers had little patience with mindless Christian behavior.
The Baptism window reflects the product of the Restoration Movement's attempt to order the "process" of salvation into a rational scheme. Walter Scott's formula was simple and clear cut. There were three things for man to do, and they were all things that man COULD do, and having done them, could be sure that he had done them. He must believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. He must repent his personal sins with Godly sorrow and resolve to sin no more. And he must be Baptized (Garrison and DeGroot). God would deliver what He has promised. He would forgive man of his sin and deliver unto him the gift of the Holy Spirit and the hope for eternal life. This formula had great appeal on the frontier. Here was the blending of rationality and authority, an appeal to common sense and scripture (ibid).
The window represents this formula. Faith is represented by the cross anchored in the rock of ages. Around the word Repentence flows the violet colors of Christian Humility. The center panel dominates the window's theme with the suggestion of baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist-an act that demonstrated our Lord's willingness to be obedient to His Father's will. A close inspection will reveal other figures of people whom John baptized witnessing the act of obedience by our Lord. Through baptism, comes the remission of sins which is represented by the scarlet colored areas beign washed by blue green waves.
Did you know?
The tired traveler sitting on the floor of the Orlando airport was actually a bronze statue by Duane Hanson. It was so loved (and abused) that he has now been placed behind plexiglass. Still travelers often argue about whether he is "real".
Discover Art in Central Florida!
For those who have eyes to see, there are hundreds of works of art around them.
This web site provides some information on many of those works of art that can
be regularly viewed in Orange County by any member of the public without an
admission fee. They are outside in public view, or located in an interior area
that is normally open to the public.
Look around this web site and find something that interests you. Then go see it
in person. The information you find here will add to the pleasure of exploring
public art in Central Florida.
If, in your travels around Orange County, you come across some public art that
is not listed here, please let us know so we can add it. If you are aware of
additional information about art or artist that is included here, again, please
let us know. Together we can make this an incredible resource for people seeking
to spice up their life through exploring art.