STATEMENT.

GRACE CAROL BOMER

CONTEMPORARY VISUAL THEOLOGY

“Common Ground Rising” is a great idea for a show of artists coming from diverse beliefs and

apologetics. Conversations tend to go better when people start from what they share instead of

what divides them. It isn’t about pretending that differences don’t exist—it’s about identifying the

foundation that makes cooperation or mutual understanding possible.

“Common Ground” is the place where we can genuinely meet in understanding, even if we

disagree about things. We should respect and hear what people say and have in common rather

than focusing on what divides us. The phrase doesn’t necessarily mean agreement. It means

finding enough overlap to have a productive conversation. We understand that things are not

what they should be, and we RISE to love and mercy as we seek hope and life.

You may reject my belief that the Scriptures are the authoritative interpretation of redemptive

history, without which we can never fully understand what God has done in Jesus Christ. And

even though the Word of God is foundational to my work as an artist, we share common ground,

because we.share human experience and reasoning, We see and know the problem of evil and we

rage at injustice. Hopefully “Common Ground Rising” will bring us closer as we deal with these

injustices in our paintings and in our conversations.

My painting He Has Taken Captive, His Captives (cover image) divides the canvas into the heavens at the top

and the earth and its captives below, where injustice reigns. God knows this injustice, because

central to this piece is the Crucifixion, the injustice that ironically brought justice. “I purposely

left “the arm of the LORD” exposed and the gash of light through the darkness below. As I

painted, this light dividing the darkness became so relevant. The God /figure in the heavens

knows our captivity, and in His mercy rescues “his captives!”

Because of the Incarnation (God became man), He conquered death and heals the brokenhearted.

He is “A Man of Sorrows, Acquainted With Grief,” (smallest painting).

Why Do The Nations Rage also concerns the antithetical battle. Above the human fray of

political parties. The “City of Man” is in confusion. Common ground rising is that place where

we can get together because we see and know the lies, the problems and the things that are

wrong about the world. We can seek to understand and love what is good and beautiful and true.