ATSS: Sigve Tonstad: “Moments of Epiphany: The Bible Illuminated in Art”
16 July 2025 |
For 2,000 years, Christians have used artistic media to express themes of the Bible and Christian life. Words and pictures are often mutually illuminating, as texts come alive in the imagination of artists.
In this class, Dr. Tonstad will share examples from the world of art, based on stories in the Bible, that have led to moments of revelation for him and his wife. Some are from Norway, but examples will include Rembrandt, Tintoretto, and Michelangelo. Not all of them are well-known: he will introduce us to artists we haven’t encountered before.
The examples will also include more recent art that makes the ordinary seem transcendent, with Edvard Munch and Vincent van Gogh leading the way.
Teacher:
Sigve K. Tonstad is Research Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University. He has worked as a physician and pastor and since 2007 as a faculty member at the School of Religion at Loma Linda University. His books in English are The Scandals of the Bible (Autumn House, 2000), Saving God’s Reputation: The Theological Function of Pistis Iesou in the Cosmic Narratives of Revelation (T. & T. Clark, 2006), The Lost Meaning of the Seventh Day (Andrews University Press, 2009), God of Sense and Traditions of Non-Sense (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2016), Letter to the Romans: Paul among the Ecologists (Earth Bible Series; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2017), and The Paideia Commentary on Revelation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019).
Moderator:
How to join:
Join Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85664059124
Passcode: SABBATH
ATSS starting time depends on where you are. If you’re on the west coast of the United States, it’ll be 10:30 AM. On the east coast, 1:30 PM. Times in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere will vary with local time changes. Please double-check the correct time where you live.
The class is intended to last about 2 hours, though the conversation often continues to 4 PM (Eastern time).
About our class:
- The AT Sabbath Seminar is intended to be a courteous forum.
- Stick to the topic in both comments and chat discussion.
- Make your comments and questions short—don’t dominate.
- Keep your microphones muted unless you are called upon to make your comment or ask your question.
- Indicate your interest in speaking by raising your electronic hand.
- Please use your name when you sign in, so we know who we’re addressing.
We look forward to getting acquainted with you!
YouTube channel:
You can see all of our previous ATSS recordings here.
Coming up:
- Lisa Diller
- Stephen Ferguson
- Laurence Turner
- Kevin Burton
