A Painted Old Testament | With Ray Comfort, Ron Dicianni & Dave YaukSample

The Fall

The Fall of Humankind is described in Genesis 3. The sad ending to God’s perfect creation culminates in God sending humanity away from his presence as a tragic result of our sin. The artist puts footprints at the bottom of the painting signifying Adam and Eve leaving the Garden, as a strong angel (Cherubim), blocks the entrance back to the Garden with a flaming sword. The sword flashes back and forth—independent of the angel—providing a double line of defense to insure that humanity is unable to return to the Garden. In making the background look like the paradise it was, the artist tries to portray foliage, birds, and flowers in order to put on display the beauty that must have been. 

As a curious backstory to this work, the artist actually began to paint simple waterfalls in the background. As Ron painted, he was inspired to include within the waterfall the crying eyes of God—a most poignant statement in the piece. We must realize when considering what transpired in the Fall of Humankind, that disobedience (sin) hurts the heart of God more than just the perpetrator. 

Lastly however, if you take another look at the sword, you will also see it is in the shape of the Cross. There is a way back in to the Garden after all, and it is only through Christ!