Customer Reviews

Image : Journal of the Arts & Religion

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This quarterly features fiction, essays, poetry, and visual art that comments directly or indirectly on the life of faith in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Editor Gregory Wolfe bases the vision for Image on what he calls religious humanism---a way of seeing the world that is "an attempt to balance the human and the divine." In its pages you will find works by artists and writers at the highest level of craft, along with interviews, reviews, and social commentary. You will not find accolades for the "Left Behind" books, ads for Christian romance novels, nor order forms for Thomas Kinkade prints. Image is a place where intellect and faith live harmoniously rather than in suspicion, and the sentimentality of the popular Christian subculture is challenged. I'm always proud to have the latest issue on my coffee table and frequently loan out my back issues to share a poem, story, article, or picture that has particularly stirred me. There is also a Web site for the journal and bi-weekly e-mail newsletter with additional content. Image gives a home to those whose concern for beauty, intellect, and honest portrayals of the human condition have made it a struggle to feel understood by their faith community.

Also, the journal is beautifully produced. You will keep issues on your bookshelf for years (if you manage to get them back from the people to whom you've loaned them).

Given the title "Image" I expected much more in the way of visual art. In my first issue, of 120 pages, only 8 pages contain any visual art, and although printed in color, they are mostly small (2"x3"?) and hard to see. The rest of the magazine is filled with a long interview, 3 short stories, 13 poems, 4 essays, and a book review. Overall, the mix of material was disappointing. Too much to read and not enough visual art to experience. I already have too much to read. I was hoping this would be something different.