2017 - The early history of Christianity expressed in garment form

'Clothed in Christ'

Clothing imagery is often used in the New Testament to describe the various ways a person can relate with God.

In this project I am expressing, via outer garment form, some pertinent history about what started as a movement, then developed into a major worldwide religious faith.

Romans 13:14 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.^[a]

4BC – 30AD “Man of a new way”

Jesus of Nazareth, a Galilean Jew of humble origin, was first a carpenter, a man who worked with his hands.

A baptismal encounter with John the Baptist changed his life. After this experieince, Jesus started preaching, teaching and healing the sick.

He founded an egalitarian movement, which was at home with the rural people. However, when he traveled to Jerusalem city with his disciples, he caused a disturbance in the Temple, was arrested and executed.

(This garment representing Jesus, is made of linen. It has no shaping and the edges are finished with simple hand stitching. The belt is strips of leather plaited together. It is an expression of the humble and the hand-made. The embroidered Lord's Prayer, is Jesus' expression of a simple and good way to live life)

6AD – 64 “Man of Greek letters”

Paul, considered the real architect of Christianity.

Saul of Tarsus, Jewish and a Roman citizen, highly educated and fluent in the Greek language. He persecuted the early followers of Jesus, but on the road to Damascus he experienced a vision of Christ asking “Why are you hostile toward me?”

After this traumatic experience, Saul changed his name to Paul and began a highly intensive missionary career.

Paul advocated for Gentiles joining the Christian movement, which enabled it to grow, and thus distance itself from Judaism.

(Paul's pure woollen garment has screen printed letters of the Greek alphabet. Paul wrote a massive number of letters, in the Greek language, to fellow followers of Christ. He explained, he translated, he formulated, but most of all he encouraged many peoples to be a part of the world of Christ, as is expressed on the belt sash. Paul's coat is placed on top of Jesus', but we can still see some of Christ)

64 – 305

The writing of the New Testament in the Greek language, and Christian persecution within the Roman Empire.

272 - 337 “Man of power and control”

Constantine became Roman Emperor in 306.

In 312, prior to the battle of Milvian Bridge, Constantine experienced a vision in which he saw the first 2 letters of Christ’s name in Greek, Chi Rho. He ordered these symbols to be painted on his army’s helmets and shields, and vowed, if they won the battle, he would convert to Christianity.

They won the battle and Constantine committed his Roman Empire to Christ.

‘One Emperor, One Law (Roman) and One Religion (Christianity)’.

In 325, Constantine called together a council in Nicaea, which ultimately established the historical and theological direction of the Christian Church to become an elaborate and male dominated hierarchy.

(Constantine's garment is constructed out of velvet, a fabric fit for a ruling/regal Emperor. The Chi Rho symbol has been steam embossed into the velvet. This symbol represents Constantine's influence in the history of Christianity. The sash is embroidered with the Nicene Creed. Constantine's coat is placed on top of Paul's. We are losing sight of Christ the man.)

354 – 430 “Man of the Roman Catholic Church”

Augustine, highly intellectual, who read and wrote in Latin.

In 396 he was appointed Bishop Hippo Regius. This role enabled him to help formulate the doctrine of original sin and the rise of the ecclesiastical structure which enabled the Roman Catholic Church that came out of the demise of the Roman Empire, to emerge as a powerful institution in medieval Europe.

Toile, lege…”take up and read” and supposedly he opened the bible to Romans 13:13-14

Nulla potestas nisi a Deo…All power comes through God (Augustine tried to legitimise the power of the church through the divinity of God, explaining that both Kings and the Church had their powers given by God.)

(Augustine's garment is constructed out of silk, a rich fabric, representing the wealth and power the Christian Church had established . Pertinent aspects of Augustine's connection with Christianity are embroidered in rich looking thread. Augustine's vestment is on top of Constantine's. We have lost sight of Jesus, the carpenter from Galilee.)

1483 – 1546 “Man of re-thinking and reform”

Martin Luther, an educated man, who entered Monastic life in 1505. However, the Catholic faith caused him great anxiety and despair. and inspired his 95 Theses. Luther wanted to reform the Church and return it to its founding story, an original form of Christianity. Luther wanted a Christ who was accessible to everyone through the scripture.

Luther translated the New Testament from Latin to German, thus enabling a lot more people to read and form their own decisions about the story of Christ.

(Martin Luther's coat is a simple, plain garment, reflective of both, monk and reformed minister. The pockets are a fabric printed copy of Luther's 95 Theses. The left one has Jesus' name, in the ancient Hebrew script, stitched on as an expression of Luther's wanting the Church to get back to a more simple form of Christ. Luther's coat would stand on its own, away from the others)

Ayin Vav Shin Yod

It is read right to left

Sound

O U S/sh I

Literal meaning

eye nail teeth closed hand

Symbolic meaning

see, know, “and”, add consume, destroy dead, work, to make

Ancient Hebrew script…the 4 letters or consonants from right to left Yod, Shin, Vav, Ayin

Y SH, OO,A

Jesus is the Greek name for the Hebrew name Joshua or Y’shua

Yeshua, the name corresponds to the Greek spelling of Iesous, from which through the Latin Iesus, comes the English spelling Jesus.

Teresa put together a cool poster, which expressed the above.

The boss requested it as a wall display for the 90th jubilee, undertaken May 2018.