False Title

Albert Bierstadt, The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak, 1863.

In his 1867 "Book of the Artists," H.T. Tuckerman described the above painting in glowing terms, "Representing the sublime range which guards the West, its subject is eminently national; and the spirit in which it is executed is at once patient and comprehensive-patient in the careful reproduction of the tints and traits which make up and identify its local character, and comprehensive in the breadth and grandeur of the composition." This painting was one of the most popular at that time, to Americans it seemed to capture the West that many of them had never seen. As did many other Americans, Tuckerman assumed that since the title of this art work was The Rocky Mountains that it in fact represented the Rocky Mountains. But that assumption was not true. No landscape like this exist in the American West, in fact the artist had painted the Alps. The peak centered in this painting is the Matterhorn, a peak the artist often painted. This type of artwork is known not as realistic but as naturalistic. Bierstadt retained elements of the West in this work with accurate representation of Native Americans, but he presented them in a personal point of view. He combined the Swiss Alps with the West. I've heard it said that the artist did this work because he desired for America to be Europe. But nonetheless, as much as this work appears realistic it is not true to it's title.

Mark 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

They might come in his name, may even appear realistic, but as pretty they appear they may be false prophets. The art critic was even fooled by the artist, we cant afford to be fooled. The artist wanted America to be Europe, well the devil has found a way to paint a pretty picture and he wants the world to be the church. We must stay with the scriptures, so that we can tell what is right and what is wrong. They could afford to mistake the Rockies for the Alps, but we cant afford to mistake a lie for truth. We cant afford to mistake anyone that believes in more than one God for a Christian. We cant afford to mistake anyone that hasn't been born again as a child of God. Because no matter the title, it is what it is! I want to be a Biblical Christian. I don't want to be deceived, but I'll deceive myself if I'm only a hearer of the word. Lord help me to be a doer of the word, cause only the truth will set me free.