Christ & The Coffee is just one series on a growing network called All Things Veritas, a subsidiary of Truth In Focus.
There will be further shows including interviews, lectures, and commentary in the coming months and years at All Things Veritas and in connection with Truth In Focus and also see our Instagram page MereBeautyInTruth.
Mere Beauty In Truth (click link for Instagram) is my theory of the Aesthetic. Influenced by the late Sir Roger Scruton I aim to use art, nature, architecture, and other mediums to witness a higher form, reality and truth about life through perception.
Beauty requires us to recognize the ugly, the profane, and the false through a keen sense of what is true beauty i.e. that which strikes a profoundness inside us all putting us at its mercy. We do so by training our heart on the full range of emotions experienced in our lives. Fear, anger, happiness, and anxiety all mean something deeper within us. A friend once explained that to recognize a forgery one must study the real thing in complete and absolute detail. Mere Beauty In Truth is the study of the real thing we call beauty.
My ultimate hope it to show the Transcendence and the Immense of God through beauty and design, the ugly and the broken, so as to help us grasp truth and ultimate reality to the best of our limited ability.
Aesthetic value is not merely art. Art is simply one principled medium of interpretation. We would not necessarily call a person or nature art but each can serve as an expression through a medium. Aesthetics targets the full range of expression through taste, smell, sound, sight, and intuition.
Please enjoy.
The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David
Overview: Prior to the Roman Republic, Rome was founded by Romulus (753-715 B.C.) Rome’s first King as myth would have it and of which there would be Seven Kings total. Of the Seven Kings the third, King Tullus Hostilius (673-641 B.C.), would commission the three Horatii sons (triplets) to save Rome from a costly war the king commanded them to fight another group of brothers, the Curiatii Alban. Rather having war after war, per their agreement, whomever wins the battle between the brothers settles the dispute. Out of love for their country, the three Horatii brothers swear an oath before their father to save Rome or die.
Patriotism is the central theme of this work of art.
There are three central themes within this piece: The Three Brothers, The Women and Children, and The Father.
At First Glance: The Three Brothers. Nothing about war is beautiful; war is rift with bloodshed and gore, screams and fear, chaos and uncertainty. War eventually exhausts the soul of a people. Even the best of men comprehend its deepest and darkest repercussions. What the three Horatii brothers submit themselves before is not merely heroic, courageous, and dutiful but sacrificial and righteous and just as they symbolically represent Rome yet literally put forth their lives. The tension of the moment is expressively seen in the gripping hands between two of the brothers:
The arm wrapped around the waist of one brother, his hand hardly relaxed rather tense and prepared with a hint of healthy fear as they prepare themselves for battle. And the hand of the brother at the foreground, gripping his pilum, knowing full well his life is dependent upon its durability and the dexterity of his brothers.
Notice the brother’s forearms. Strong, resilient, determined; those are the arms of real men; men set on saving a kingdom and her people from despair. The gradual rising of each arm, one, two, three as each hand slightly rises above another, one, two, three in oath but equal in cause, purpose, and rank. Three marks the divine, the triunity of brothers whose willpower can overcome even the gods in this glorious moment. Divine! Nothing can lay asunder a brotherhood founded on ideals above themselves. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done! It is patriotism personified. Not a brainwashing or a corrupt cause this is courage on a canvas.
Feet of fortitude, aligned nearly perfectly as they unify with the foot of their father. Their shadows even marking the moment as if it were transposing on sacred ground before the feet of hero’s. Those are feet that march and run toward their enemy never turning their backs for defeat. And the foot of a father who bestows his sons as worthy. Standing alone, simply studying the feet of these men, tells the story of a sacrum testimonium; a testimony of an oath that all hero’s must give.
Two of three brothers would die, however, the third would be triumphant and bringing a long line of glory for Rome.
Key Point: Patriotic duty can be a sacred cause but it must be a worthy and just cause. And duty requires an oath of commitment by righteous men who know the difference between right and wrong; good and evil.
At First Glance:The Women and the Children. Woe and sorrow befall on the family; the brothers cannot show their tears; the father must not weep so as to keep their spirits soaring; and so the women take on the brave cause of shedding what is felt by all in the room. Hardly weak, it should be said that the woman and children are the strongest as their emotions rightly rise to the occasion. Perhaps even demanding before slumping into a tearful surrender that they can go fight for them! No, that would not be honorable to the men who desire to fight. Our modern distaste for good men revolts at the idea that women were not allowed to fight in war. But we fail to consider the preciousness of this act and that no Roman nor Greek nor Jew nor American would simply say that all women are incapable of fighting; no they knew better, they each understood the strength of one woman, a woman who bears life itself, can kill a thousand men if they had to in the name of their family and countrymen. Vessels meaning worthy of protecting not objects nor property to be abused, these women had real men who respected womanhood and the power of the feminine. Make no mistake about it.
Together they share grief. Perhaps these are wives of two brothers, now sisters, sharing in their pain. If a feminine epistemology exists, this exemplifies it because only women can share such eternal bonds of birth and deep love and a heavy sorrow for their men. The woman in white, her arms dangling lifelessly to her side, faint and unnerved, her white stola represents purity, loyalty, and chastity. She wears her feelings on her sleeve.
The woman in red, symbolic of war and battle, her body drained by the event as her arms also lay lifeless, she weeps with her sister-in-law. Nothing more to do but pray and shed tears that will water the grounds of the land and people they love.
Alas a different strength appears. A grandmother of comfort, a dutiful wife, and a mother who loves her sons. Draped in purple, an aristocrat, she has seen much and done even more for her family. Now as her daughters cry over their men, she comforts their children. She knows this pain all too well.
Innocence, the eyes of a boy whose father must go into battle; the eyes of a child who has seen nothing that life offers him either good or bad; that is a terrified boy who dare not cry for the sake of his baby brother. That boy will one day be a man, a man of honor who cares for his younger brother, his mother, and his grandparents.
Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church blindfolds a child each time they choose their pope during the final selection, that child then picks a name from a bag; an act representing a child’s innocence and goodness from God. Indeed, this boy carries that innocence; an unknowing goodness that loves his mother, his father, his grandmother, his grandfather, his uncles, and his aunts. However, the striking look of the older boys face pierces the soul of all who dare peer into his eyes. Perhaps an innocence too holy for us all?
Key Point: The Women and Children are examples of real and justifiable emotions. They are not in the background hiding away from the men and their oath; they are part of the sacred oath to protect and serve their nation in need.
At First Glance: The Father. Likely in his sixties, wearing a red cloak as a means of bonding with his sons in preparation for war, the father bestows upon them three swords; a Triumvirate whose power is to decide the fate of Rome through a single battle. This Triumvirate would be prophetic yet very different from those of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus (60 B.C.) and Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian (43 B.C.). Nothing political was being held that day, no rhetoric, no false appearances. Simply a proud father speaking boastfully with clarity so his sons knew what awaited them. An oath he had likely said generations ago, words even today that hold a sacred tone; “I do solemnly swear before God and before Man…” words that have meaning and purpose, words that reign true for all eternity. Nothing could make a father more proud than to see his sons fighting for a just cause. Notice no helmet is to be found, those days are gone for an old man but his spirit remains. He fought and lived. Now he sends forth the next generation.
Though two of his sons would never return the man knew a greater good would be accomplished should they succeed. Like the waiting of the prodigal son this father was waiting for their return in preparation to celebrate. He had faith in his sons.
Key Point: Fatherhood is a servants role in raising children, caring for your wife, and in service to your country.
Today marks the last Monday of August 2020, only three months until the November elections and four months until the year of Covid-19, Black Lives Matter, and double hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico comes to an end. What awaits next year will be a continuation of present distress. New Years Eve will not be a time of celebration but angst as millions of Americans ponder their future and the future of the nation. But take heed.
Here at Truth In Focus we strive for open and honest content without fear and anger driving the information provided. Being a Christian and Primitive Conservative, I seek to provide content beyond the political divides into points of principle which must begin and end with the Truth as best as possible. It benefits no one if the truth goes ignored or is distorted. I hope you will find the content here informative, helpful, enlightening, inspiring, and considerate.
For this week the content will be light as finishing preparations are underway for projects soon to be announced. So though the content will be limited this week, the upcoming content for months and years to come are going to be rich in more articles along with lectures, interviews, and analysis in a spectrum of areas.
May God Bless You. Stay Safe. And Keep Striving To Do Good.
Upcoming
Tue, Sept 1 – Welcome to The Party: Political Parties By Race
Type: Historical/Analysis
Description: Minorities are on the rise but the division by race is a telling tale about the future of the DNC and RNC.
Wed, Sept 2 – Thy Week, Thus Far
Type: News
Description: A shortlist of the weeks articles, podcasts, or videos that readers and listeners should pay attention to along with a small analysis of the listed newsworthy mentions.
(After much delay I am happy to announce the return of AllThingsVeritas on Youtube! A Biblical Vlog series will be starting in September. Be on the lookout for a special announcement. Please join and like and be ready to learn and grow.)
Special Note: Her work is brilliant as it is transcendent. Holmes art is an aesthetic expression of MereBeautyInTruth. Using largely Christian imagery including an entire series on her interpretation of the Lectio Divina, an ancient traditional christian practice of prayerful scriptural study, Katherine transforms scripture into beautiful translations of artistic expression. Please consider supporting this artist by commissioning her work. – Edward Kyle Richey
About:Katherine Holmes grew up in Ft Worth, Texas and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree.
A passionate painter, she interned in Cardiff, Wales using art workshops as a way to connect with the homeless and socially isolated. After two years of working alongside this people group, she returned to Corpus Christi, Texas and became an artist with K Space Studios. She worked as a fine artist and mural assistant with the gallery before returning to Cardiff to begin a Masters in Art Psychotherapy in 2017.
Alongside her masters, she is currently an artist with the Share a Life project, spending the last two years leading art workshops in homeless hostels, interviewing clients, and painting their portraits. These paintings have become a travelling exhibition that is constantly evolving as new portraits are produced. This project is set to finalize in spring 2021.
Katherine is currently a member of The Sustainable Studios in Cardiff, and uses the studios to develop her own art as well as creating custom portraits for a variety of clients.
If time were a persona she would be that of Medusa
A female renowned for her beauty
Turned to stone by man's wickedness
Punished for being raped by Poseidon in the Temple of Athena
No justice given for her
No voice to speak out against the real pain she suffered
No, her only crime was to taint so-called Holy Grounds
Where were her defenders? How could these gods hold such disdain?
Clearly Pharisees of their own time, in their domain
No Christ to hold them accountable, "He without sin cast the first stone"
For surely these gods of stone were only good for casting judgement
Yes, if time could speak
She would remind us all of the pain and hurt
Of the injustice and brokenness
All the lost and confused who lack hope
A world torn from the garden
Time would rarely know good or righteousness
Yes, she could speak of that as well
But far fewer stories in-between The civilized savages and savages without civilization remain savages
Yes, if time could speak, she would be the voice of all females
Of women who can only sit in the shadows hoping for the light
She would say these things to remind all
That without truth and love there can be no virtue and there can be no praise
Gallant men are still men at best but even they are capable of right
They must hold another responsible Be accountable for their word and action
Anchored in truth and not mere reaction
Purpose and duty do recall when more than one speaks against wrong
Men and women and children
They all have suffered
All under her gaze
Cursed to watch but unable to prevent
Forever in stone with no voice by which to vent
All stone inside and out
No flesh to flesh out
Punished for a crime committed against her
Mere Beauty In Truth (click link for Instagram) is my theory of the Aesthetic. Influenced by the late Sir Roger Scruton I aim to use art, nature, architecture, and other mediums to witness a higher form, reality and truth about life through perception.
Beauty requires us to recognize the ugly, the profane, and the false through a keen sense of what is true beauty i.e. that which strikes a profoundness inside us all putting us at its mercy. We do so by training our heart on the full range of emotions experienced in our lives. Fear, anger, happiness, and anxiety all mean something deeper within us. A friend once explained that to recognize a forgery one must study the real thing in complete and absolute detail. Mere Beauty In Truth is the study of the real thing we call beauty.
My ultimate hope it to show the Transcendence and the Immense of God through beauty and design, the ugly and the broken, so as to help us grasp truth and ultimate reality to the best of our limited ability.
Aesthetic value is not merely art. Art is simply one principled medium of interpretation. We would not necessarily call a person or nature art but each can serve as an expression through a medium. Aesthetics targets the full range of expression through taste, smell, sound, sight, and intuition.
Overview: Classic biblical story of Salome demanding the head of John the Baptist from King Herod after her mother, Herodias, out of her own fear of John enraged her daughter.
Beginning with Salome (Top Half)
At First Glance: Looking first at Salome’s upper body one notices quickly she is clothed in jewels which are an expression of her vanity, but she is partially nude before her own mother and step-father; a signal of her youthful delirium and all of their sickness, the madness that binds them. Salome stares out in a trance at the apparition of John the Baptist head floating in midair, reaching for the severed head, as if slowly as seen with the distant reach of her left arm as her right hand slightly grasps the jeweled neckless, almost afraid of what has occurred but more so lusting over the severed head. Salome is naked yes, but emotionally covered in dread and hatred as her facial expression layers her body language saying, “I distain you,” “I fear you.” Ultimately Salome has become intoxicated by her own passions that were fed by her own mother to kill a man of God.
Key Point: Salome represents human frailty when ruled by passion and the gullibility of the youthful.
King Herod Antipas & his wife Herodias:
At First Glance: Herodias is the real mastermind. Hands folded, expressionless but clearly tense by the moment. Herodias wanted John the Baptist dead, it was Herodias who feared the holy man, and it was Herodias that whispered deceit into her daughters ear. Fully clothed almost as though seeking to disguise herself from him. With her head veil it can be said that Herodias took the place of Mary, an anti-Mary figure similar to an anti-christ in a worldly attempt to coverer the sins that lay bare on her daughter.
Key Point: Herodias is the power behind the curtain, deception itself, yet inwardly a coward. She represents our desire for power which arises from our weakness.
At First Glance: Herod Antipas, decrepit and frail, a ghostly figure ruled by nothing godly, just fleshly desire to appease and be pleased. He is adorn in robe and riches upon a throne but life seeps out of him. Herod has become nothing but a tomb, a sepulcher whose hour draws near. Beyond salvation, nothing will raise him from the dead due to his own binding guilt and falsity.
Key Point: Herod’s state of mind and body represents the decay of the human soul when away from God and truth.
The Guard
At First Glance: Stoic with his broad sword pointed down; face covered with eyes that lack coloration; the deed has been completed. Blood covers the serving plate at his feet. This solider though has committed a grave crime against an innocent man whom God loved. It is possible that his eyes represent blindness, he is as they all are, blinded by their desires including the soldier who wished only to do what he was told rather than consider the reality of the situation that he murdered an innocent man.
Key Point: The guard represents the harmful cost of willful ignorance.
Returning to Salome
At this point it is important to recognize the direction of Salome’s foot. She is not yet moving toward but around the severed head. Circling like a shark. Her long robe touching the ground as she dances and no one is watching her as everyone in the room looks away into their own guarded trance except Herodias. Herodias though coy, cannot look away at the head of John the Baptist. Her fascial expression appears sad yet that cannot hide the blood on her hands, the guilty verdict over her head. Salome and Herodias fates are eternally intwined.
The Lutanist
At First Glance: Probably the only person in the room whom is a victim of circumstance; a servant girl now a woman playing for the king and his court. She holds distain over their decadence, perhaps giving the viewer a degree of credence to their own views about the events taking place.
Key Point: Represents the credence table of a eucharist i.e. a testimony of bare reality before us all.
John the Baptist
At First Glance: Even in death God shows his pleasure over the man who was the final prophet before Christ the Savior took position to reveal himself as the Messiah. Rising above with halos circling around him, Salome and Herodias have his head but they can never have his soul which belongs to God. Brutal yet victorious.
Key Point: John represents the good and faithful servant.
Grant and I will be doing a future cross dialogue on the questions concerning Health, Purpose, and the Meaning of Life.
Prof.Kaleb ‘Kal’ Demerew (Adjunct at Concordia University School of Business and Communication; Specialist in International and Comparative Politics; Ph.D student at USF School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies)
Truth In Focus 