SODOM AND GOMORRAH BY JOHN MARTIN

 PART 5 OF A 17 PART SERIES ON FAVORITE ART AND ARTISTS

Sodom and Gomorrah, John Martin 

  

You may be familiar with fire and brimstone preachers, but how about a fire and brimstone painter? And is it a coincidence that I'm showing a picture of Sodom and Gomorrah the day after Independence Day?

Several years ago, I looked at several artists, and one that made an impression was English painter John Martin (1789-1854). I've mentioned my impression with the scale of Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" four days ago. Martin is similar. He's known for having small figures in large scenes.

Martin has a beautiful painting called "The Plains of Heaven" (left), but a lot of his paintings deal more with destruction and judgment, from Biblical themes like the deluge and Sodom and Gomorrah to non-Biblical images like the Destruction of Pompei.

Maybe it's just me, but there is a "Wow" factor to Martin's painting style you may not see with other painters. There should be a "Wow" factor when we see God at work as well, whether the beauty and goodness He shows to His people or the sincerity when He renders to sinners their due. 

Unfortunately, too often we fall into the trap of the inhabitants Jerusalem to whom God said, "And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and will punish those settled in complacency, who say the LORD will not do good nor will He do evil." (Zephaniah 1:12)

Is there any connection to the definition of complacency given above, where our nation is at spiritually, and Sodom and Gomorrah? One can argue that those cities had that mindset, not believing that goodness would be rewarded or evil would be punished. Likewise, is our current culture in that mindset, thinking that we are in control of our lives, and seeing anyone who believes that our society isn't where it should be as being the enemy?

One last thought. If God destroyed Noah's world with flood and rained fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah, will there be a time when any country that rebels against God will provoke God to wrath and will receive what they deserve?

What are your thoughts of John Martin's painting style? And is this nation in danger of God's judgment?