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Visser’t Hooft highlights this Protestant theology by quoting Luther:

Luther makes an unambiguous distinction between a theology of glory and the true theology of the cross. The theology of glory, he says, ‘prefers works to suffering, glory to the cross, power to weakness, wisdom to foolishness, and in one word evil to good.’ But the theology of the cross knows that ‘it is not enough for anybody nor does it help him that he recognizes God in his glory and majesty, unless he recognizes him in the abasement and ignominy of the cross.’ In analogy to this we may describe Rembrandt’s style as a ‘painting of the cross.’

"Paul in Prison"

The Holy Family with the Angels

The Return of the Prodigal Son

When the center of painting shifted to Paris in the 1700s, all subsequent styles, from Rococo to Romantic to pre-Raphaelite and beyond, were anti-Christian in philosophy. When photography and subsequent inventions such as motion pictures replaced painting as the main technology for capturing people, places, and events, there became little need for painting in general, except as deconstructionist abstraction. OTOH, there are a number of 1400s northern Renaissance painters (van Eyck, Christus, van der Weyden, etc.) whose works would be at home in any Lutheran church.

When Bob Jones, Jr. was challenged with the question, “Why do you have so many Catholic pictures?,” his answer was, “There is not a lot of good Protestant painting…" ping.

Rembrandt, like Luther and Calvin,had great respect and fondness for Mary... Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, but especially Counter-Reformation art had transformed the “handmaiden of the Lord” ancilla Domini of Luke 1 into the “Queen of Heaven." -- Rembrandt’s portrayals of Mary are not glamorous or exalted, but humble, simple, and biblical.

If one does not want to think of mortals "above that which is written," (1 Co. 4:6) and thus supports honoring Mary as the humble, pious holy, Spirit-filled women of God and devout mother of Jesus that she was/is, but does not venerate/worship the omnipotent ("by grace) The MARY of CATHOLICISM, and contends against such excess, then he can find himself charged with hating the "Mother of God" by cultic Catholics.

Majoring in the minors.

I guess I missed in scripture where we’re supposed to focus on religious artwork when the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Rembrandt’s portrayals of Mary are not glamorous or exalted, but humble, simple, and biblical.

Which are quite UNlike the images conjured up in one's mind when they read the excesses claimed for her by the Roman Catholic Church.

The way it's written:

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

The way Rome teaches it:

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a....

Co-Redemptrix,
Ark of the Covenant,

Beloved daughter of the Father,
Favoured Daughter of the Father,

Cause of Our Joy,

Cause of our Salvation ,
Comfort of the Afflicted,
Destroyer of Heresy,
Ever-virgin ,
Gate of Heaven,
God-bearer,

Great Mother,
Health of the Sick,

Heavenly Chariot,
Help of Christians,
Holy Mary,
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of Virgins,
House of Gold,
Joy of the Just,
Majesty,
Mirror of Justice,
Morning Star,
Most Holy,
Mother Admirable,
Mother Inviolate,
Mother Most Amiable,
Mother Most Chaste,
Mother Most Pure,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of Divine Grace,
Mother of God,
Mother of Good Counsel,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of Orphans,
Mother of Our Creator,
Mother of Our Redeemer,
Mother of Sorrows,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of the Poor,
Mother of the Word,

Mother of the Word Incarnate,
Mother Thrice Admirable,
Mother Undefiled,
Mystical Rose,
Nova Eva (the New Eve),
Our Lady of Compassion,
Our Lady of Confidence,
Our Lady of Victory,
Our Lady, Star of the Sea,
Our Mother of Perpetual Help,
Queen Assumed Into Heaven,
Queen Conceived Without Original Sin,
Queen of All Saints,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Families,
Queen of Heaven,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Peace,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,
Queen of Virgins,
Ravisher of Hearts,
Refuge of Sinners,

Resplendant car,
Seat of Wisdom,
She Who Shows the Way,
Singular Vessel of Devotion,
Spiritual Vessel,

Spouse of the Holy Spirit,

Sovereign Mistress of the Angels,
Tabernacle of the Lord,

Temple of the Holy Spirit,
Temple of the Most Holy Trinity,
Throne of Wisdom,
Tower of David,
Tower of Ivory,
Treasure House of God's Graces,
Untier of Knots,
Vessel of Honor,
Virgin God-bearer,
Virgin Most Faithful,
Virgin Most Merciful,
Virgin Most Powerful,
Virgin Most Prudent,
Virgin Most Renowned,
Virgin Most Venerable

Virgin of virgins, born under the law, ⁵to HELP redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship; sooner or later; and not spend TOO much time in Purgatory.