Cartography, or the art of making of maps, was a vital science that was to lead to our present understanding of a global world. Some would argue that the journey of Christianity towards the Far East has only just begun. In a post colonial world this journey must be undertaken by pilgrims rather than by soldiers or traders. It has to be respectful of ancient holy sites. One sees in the art of a number of Asian Christians the image of Jesus walking on the roads that lead East. This Jesus accompanies a pilgrim Church, in the way that the Risen Christ walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Christians have often felt confused, or even exiled. Another favourite theme of Oriental art is the journey of the Holy Family escaping with the baby Jesus into exile. The Jesus who has appealed to the imagination of Asian artists, is often a mendicant holy man, like the wandering monk, or Sanyassi. He is not a “conquisitor”—a European imperialist. Rather he reveals a way of Light, that is also a path to liberation
Cartography, or the art of making of maps, was a vital science that was to lead to our present understanding of a global world. Some would argue that the journey of Christianity towards the Far East has only just begun. In a post colonial world this journey must be undertaken by pilgrims rather than by soldiers or traders. It has to be respectful of ancient holy sites. One sees in the art of a number of Asian Christians the image of Jesus walking on the roads that lead East. This Jesus accompanies a pilgrim Church, in the way that the Risen Christ walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Christians have often felt confused, or even exiled. Another favourite theme of Oriental art is the journey of the Holy Family escaping with the baby Jesus into exile. The Jesus who has appealed to the imagination of Asian artists, is often a mendicant holy man, like the wandering monk, or Sanyassi. He is not a “conquisitor”—a European imperialist. Rather he reveals a way of Light, that is also a path to liberation
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