Where else are you going to hear the book of Ruth—which is an agricultural-themed book—discussed by actual farmers? Only here on The Color of Dust! We make those crucial connections between the land, covenant, and exile, speaking directly to farming, femininity, and friendship. We also explore God’s ‘golden mean,’ which will change the way you perceive your life. Take a look at the chapters below to see the ground we cover and join us for part two of our important series in the book of Ruth.

As you’ll see, we are ‘sketching’ our way through Ruth, and we encourage you to do the same! Send us your sketches, poems, prose, and other Ruth-inspired pieces of art—with your permission, we’ll gladly post them on our Instagram page.

The music in this episode (“Harmonic Banjo”) was written and performed by Jack Baumgartner, and there were no bar fights during the recording—this time.

Chapters

The book of Ruth is both a profound love story and a journey of faith. Today we begin our exploration, sharing some art along the way. Take a look at the chapter headings below to see the ground we cover, and devote some time to reading the four chapters of Ruth on your own. We welcome your thoughts, feedback, and questions. Also note that we’re ‘sketching’ our way through Ruth—so feel free to join us!

The music for this episode was composed and performed by Jack Baumgartner.*

*(No goats were harmed during the filming of this episode.)

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Prayer

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With just a few lines, a wizard can cast a spell and make something appear out of nowhere; in the same way, with just a few lines, an artist can drag his magical ‘wand’ across a piece of paper and make something appear out of nowhere. In today’s episode, we consider the power of drawing—it is both a form of listening and spiritual practice.

Seth reads his poem ‘Avocation,’ and we consider the recent story about Maurice Ivor Birch, who spent the last 54 years drawing his hometown on a 100-foot-long roll of paper. We take a look at some drawings and sketches from Jack and Seth; and Jack playes his banjo. In the end, Seth has a surprise for us!

Take a look at the chapter headings to see the territory we cover.

Here is the link to the story of Maurice Ivor Birch: https://mymodernmet.com/maurice-ivor-birch-aldridge-scroll/

Oh, and send us your drawings! Email them through our Substack, direct message them on Instagram, or tag us on Instagram (@thecolorofdust).

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Prayer

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“Life is always more beautiful when you know the story,” Jack says on today’s episode. Do you know the story of The Color of Dust? Take a look at the chapter headings below to see the territory we cover in this honest episode.

We apologize for Sam’s audio—it got corrupted somehow and sounds pretty awful. However, as you’ll learn from the episode, this, too, is a ‘darling’ we need to kill.

So, grab your tambourine and let’s get started!

(All the music in this episode was written and performed by Jack Baumgartner.)

Chapters

00:00 Opening Prayer

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We begin with an original poem from Seth called “Tell Me, Tell Me, Tell Me, Elm!”. We discuss the idea of forever ‘tinkering’ with artistic creations. This leads to trees, sheep, wind, words, and sight. Jack seeks to give you permission to trust the many ways you perceive, including your imagination. It’s a risk, but it’s real. And perhaps gratitude is the best way to develop the spiritual sensorium.

The songs in the episode were written and performed by Jack Baumgartner (“Through the Windy” and “Lift Earth Rise”).

Chapters

00:00

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In his book A Secular Age, Charles Taylor says it is as if we now live in a closed-system, in which nothing beyond is able to enter. He calls it the “buffered self.” The trouble is, Jack Baumgartner never got the memo.

In this conversation, we begin to explore the concepts of imagination and spiritual sensorium. The invitation is to pay attention and have attuned eyes and ears to the language of life.

The music on this episode was written and played by Jack Baumgartner: Through the Windy, Harmonic Banjo, and Desert Ladder.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Prayer

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Fauns…Hippocentaurs…Questing Beasts…Oh my! As we turn to the final panel of Matthias Grunewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece, we discover the Church’s first hermit. Saint Paul the Hermit played a significant role in Jack’s own life, especially when Jack himself was a hermit for four years.

In this episode, Jack reads to us from The Golden Legend and John Moriarty; Seth teaches the four-part Medieval hermeneutic; and Sam indulges in a rant or two. We had significant technical difficulties—technical warfare?—but we persevered and managed to cobble together a faun, or fun, and meaningful conversation.

The music in the episode was written and played by Jack Baumgartner (Through the Windy and John Moriarty is a Cloud of Witness).

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St. Anthony is depicted on the holymost panel of the Isenheim Altarpiece battling demons. His extraordinary life is a gift not just to those of his time, but to many more future sufferers. Through the spiritual technology of Grunewald's Isenheim, we are invited to witness this other world swirling within our own.

We close with a poem by Rilke and a guitar meditation from Jack. This is our third of four episodes on the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald. One of our goals is to rehabilitate the ancient way of participating in reality through long and steady contemplation. In doing so, we hope your own spiritual sensorium is becoming re-tuned to the world around you.

Takeaways

-The painting represents Saint Anthony's role in spiritual warfare and his ongoing presence in the hospital.

Chapters

00:00

Probably most today believe that science and psychology offer better solutions to our modern problems than a piece of art or literature. But what if we have misdiagnosed our core problems?

What if we are too focused on eliminating what does not belong that we fail to see what does belong—and the great story in which we are participating?

Having spoken about the outer panels of The Isenheim Altarpiece, we now turn to the inner panels, which depict the mystery of Christ from Annunciation to Ascension—or Alpha to Omega, as Jack says. These exceptionally beautiful and mysterious panels, which were painted by Matthias Grunewald between 1512 and 1516, reveal the profound metaphysical reality that surrounds us. As we are able to participate in this story, we find rest and healing for our souls.

To conclude the episode, Seth reads the poem “Descending Theology: The Resurrection,” by the wonderful poet Mary Karr.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Prayer

Matthias Grunewald was one of the greatest painters ever to live, known for his Isenheim Altarpiece. But you may not know that this masterpiece was created for the most broken people of its time. In this special Good Friday episode, we meditate on the cross as a mirror, in what we’re calling The Isenheim Effect. 

Also in this episode, we present the poem “April Prelude” by Maya Clubine. Now, here is the Scripture Sam prayed at the beginning to fit this episode:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Our hope is that as you are able to see God reflecting your brokenness, you are able to rest in it with Him. This is the true ministry and power of art.