Modern Marvels

I have noticed that in many, if not all instances, the statues and stained glass windows in modern Catholic Churches are done in a cartoonish style. I think this causes a disconnect between the people in the pews and the people depicted in the art. The images in the windows become somehow remote. Would anyone even notice if, instead of cartoonish windows showing Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we had windows depicting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln? Or maybe even Superman and Batman? What really is the difference between Abraham the patriarch and Superman anyway? At least the superheroes would keep the kids happy.

Statues are intended to convey something about the person that is depicted. Even fictional persons. A life size statue of Batman, as depicted in the newer, cooler movies about batman, will convey something. Same with Spiderman. Iron man.

But Abraham?

The problem with Abraham is that we are somehow less sure he exists than the superheroes in Marvel comics. Batman doesn't have a mountain of "critical exegesis" smothering him while searching for pseudo-Batman and asking whether or not the "Robin" tradition was part of the earliest source material in the Batmanian school or was grafted in later as the batmanites encountered the larger english speaking world.

Batman just stands for what he stands for and we get it.

The begging question is "What did Abraham ever do?". Oh little stuff like talk the Most High God of the entire universe, from whom he received a PROMISE that his [spiritual] descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Or chat up Melchizedek who nobody is sure whether he was a human being or some kind of angel. Win multiple battles against odds that nobody in their right mind would accept. Have the obedience to set up to sacrifice his ONLY child because God said so. And then have an actual angel stop him from doing it.

Maybe the Church would do well to let Marvel Comics tell the story of Abraham? At least design the statues and windows!