The Gospel for Our Eyes

An altar painting is the typical artwork found in many Norwegian Lutheran church buildings constructed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These paintings focus our attention on the life of Jesus Christ, who died so that we may live.
Norseland Lutheran Church is fortunate to possess an altar painting by Herbjørn Gausta. This artist established his studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1888 after studying in both Norway and Europe. Unable to support himself by producing original works of art, he developed a reputation as a foremost Norwegian-American church artist. About four hundred of Gausta’s altar paintings were found almost exclusively in Norwegian Synod congregations. After 1918, his connections remained strong with the reorganized Norwegian Synod (today Evangelical Lutheran Synod).
The painting at Norseland Lutheran Church dates from the early 1890s. It was purchased for $100 and was shipped in a tube to be mounted locally. It is one of the few paintings of the crucifixion in Norwegian church buildings as the popularity of that scene gave way to more pastoral scenes after the start of the twentieth century.
The painting portrays the crucifixion of the Son of God as the center of the Christian’s faith. Through the darkness of God’s judgment, the city of Jerusalem can be seen in the distance. The letters INRI are seen above Jesus’ head, telling that this is “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” As His head is uplifted and the blood drips from His hands, one can imagine Him calling out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Here Jesus pays the atonement price for our sins.
Faintly visible at the base of the cross is a skull. Not only does this speak of Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, but also recalls to mind the first Gospel Promise of Genesis 3:15. This first prophecy of the Savior announces that He will crush Satan’s head. And at the cross this “crushing” is finished. Forgiveness is ours. The victory is won!
Reverend Craig A. Ferkenstad
Secretary, Evangelical Lutheran Synod