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Google Earth, Meet Moses

Is our lack of imagination short-changing our faith?

Earlier today I stumbled across a fascinating set of four images–posted here–that were created by The Glue Society, a creative collective. The pictures mimic the satellite photography found on Google Earth and elsewhere, imagining what certain events from the Bible could have looked like. Their rendition of the Red Sea crossing (above) is my favorite. Is it just me, or do those ripples look like fingerprints?

"As a method of representation satellite photography is so trusted, it has been interesting to mess with that trust," says James Dive of The Glue Society. In other words, they have no evangelistic intent. They're more interested in the cultural authority of satellite snapshots.

Yet I share Mr. Dive's interest. For someone who does embrace the historical reality of the Red Sea crossing, and also trusts satellites, it's fascinating to see that biblical event depicted in a form that feels factual, objective, scientific.

It's not like the power of images is anything new. You've probably ...

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