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Window
Building Name: First United Methodist ChurchStudio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass
City: Birmingham
Window Shape: 5 (gothic arched, 2 vertical sections)
Date of Window: 1958
Subject/Title of Window: God's Creation of Adam
Brief Description of Subject: The following description from the book, "The Windows and Symbols of First Methodist Church Birmingham, Mich. edited by Dr. Arnold F. Runkel and privately published by the Church for its members in 1966.
The central theme in the left lancet is God's creation of Adam. Here we see the creating hands of God emerging from the circle. We also see pictured the passage of breath from the mouth of God . “God breathed into his nostrils and he became a living soul.”
Below Adam we see yet another phase of Creation, that of the animals of the field, the fish and foliage. Above God’s head are stars and planets and birds flying in the air.
The creation of the world of things was a perfect success, but since God was a God of holiness. His creation of man had to be tested. Would man believe the Word of God or would he, lacking faith in his Creator, choose to act upon his own judgement and desire? Alas, his faith in God was not adequate; the left predella shows Adam and Eve horridly leaving the Garden in sin and disgrace, pursued by the Angel of Expulsion. Near them is the symbol of the foot crushing the Serpent, the foot surrounded the Christus Nimbus. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15) for as in Adam all die, even so, in Christ shall be made alive (I COR 15:22)
Because the window presents the Creation and the Fall of Man, as well as the need for the and the promise of a Savior, it serves to suggest all that is to follow in the other windows.
The Faith Lancet of this window depicts the Angel of God interrupting Abraham as he attempted to carry out God’s command that he sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. As the Angel of God arrests in hand of Abraham, he ends forever the offering of human sacrifice among the Jews. (GENESIS 37:28)
The lower predella shows the boy Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers for twenty pieces of silver. (GENESIS 37:28)
The symbols in the traceries at the top of the window represent four of the tribes of Israel: the sea, Reuben; [the gazelle, Naphtali; the ass, Issachar; and the grape vine (fruitful vine), Joseph.]
The creation Window is the gift of the Frederick E. Burnham family.
Below Adam we see yet another phase of Creation, that of the animals of the field, the fish and foliage. Above God’s head are stars and planets and birds flying in the air.
The creation of the world of things was a perfect success, but since God was a God of holiness. His creation of man had to be tested. Would man believe the Word of God or would he, lacking faith in his Creator, choose to act upon his own judgement and desire? Alas, his faith in God was not adequate; the left predella shows Adam and Eve horridly leaving the Garden in sin and disgrace, pursued by the Angel of Expulsion. Near them is the symbol of the foot crushing the Serpent, the foot surrounded the Christus Nimbus. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15) for as in Adam all die, even so, in Christ shall be made alive (I COR 15:22)
Because the window presents the Creation and the Fall of Man, as well as the need for the and the promise of a Savior, it serves to suggest all that is to follow in the other windows.
The Faith Lancet of this window depicts the Angel of God interrupting Abraham as he attempted to carry out God’s command that he sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. As the Angel of God arrests in hand of Abraham, he ends forever the offering of human sacrifice among the Jews. (GENESIS 37:28)
The lower predella shows the boy Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers for twenty pieces of silver. (GENESIS 37:28)
The symbols in the traceries at the top of the window represent four of the tribes of Israel: the sea, Reuben; [the gazelle, Naphtali; the ass, Issachar; and the grape vine (fruitful vine), Joseph.]
The creation Window is the gift of the Frederick E. Burnham family.
Height: ~124"
Width: 57"
God's Creation of Adam
God's Creation of Adam canopy
God's Creation of Adam middle
God's Creation of Adam bottom
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