I Had to Draw the Line Somewhere

As Joyce Hostetter and I planned our May issue of Talking Story on public art, it became clear we could not include all of the pictures we wanted to. Here are a few images--related to literacy of course-- that didn't make the final cut.

Here is art about reading stories: 

Looking over the shoulder of a reader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Art from a story:

"Make Way for Ducklings" Boston Public Garden

I wonder what the story is behind this art?

A figure outside a window in Madrid, Spain

And this?

Street graffiti in Nuremburg, Germany

In Medieval times, stories were told through stained glass windows and on images painted on  church walls and pillars. 

Part of a drawing uncovered in a church in Salzburg, Austria 

In the story I am writing a secret is overheard in a garden, although not one quite as artistic as this. 

Outside the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna

This painting tells the story of Jan Hus when he faced his accusers at the Council of Constance. For a long time a copy of this painting hung above our den sofa; now my husband has it in his office. 

Jan Hus at the Council of Constance, Václav Brožík, 1883
Bethlehem Chapel, Prague

This photograph of an interviewee's family ancestor helped inform Half-Truths. 

Charles Jones' grandmother

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I'm not an illustrator but like I said, there is a line in the sand, and I had to draw it somewhere! These were some of the pictures that didn't make it into the newsletter. To see the images that did and for a chance to win one of three terrific books, check out the May issue of  Talking Story. If you aren't a subscriber, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll add your name to our list. Act now- the issue is coming out at the end of this week!

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"In the Beginning was the Word"

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Europe was seeing the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague. First built in 1391 for the purpose of preaching the Word of God in Czech, it is most famous for being the place where Jan Hus preached from 1402-1412. The rectangular hall could hold up to 3,000 people and at times there was standing room only.

The original building was almost entirely destroyed in 1786. In the 1950's a major reconstruction was undertaken using drawings and paintings that were discovered. The flagstone floor, several windows, fragments of the walls, as well as the door which Hus used to enter the pulpit, are original to the 14th century building. Click here for a beautiful panoramic tour of the main hall.
I was awed to be in the place where the gospel was preached and proclaimed to a people who were ready to receive it.

Paintings on the walls are modern reproductions of medieval paintings complimented with texts of Hussite songs.


Visiting the Czech Republic without being able to speak a word of the language, I was aware of the importance of purposeful and productive oral and written communication. Without a shared language, a person is isolated and unable to "connect" to the people around him. As I thought about the Czech people who flocked to hear the gospel preached in their own language, I thought how I couldn't imagine not being able to understand my pastor preaching the Word of God. How incredibly frustrating that would have been to a people who was largely illiterate and dependent on others to bring them the Scriptures.

I am thankful for the work of Hus and other reformers before and after him, Wycliffe and Tyndale to name two, who worked at translating and getting the Bible into the hands of the common people. Without their work, we wouldn't be able to read and understand the Word of God.
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