New Book Draws Upon Religious Art To Inspire Readers

April 8, 2019 | Samantha Mehrotra, Public Relations Manager

“Inspiring Generosity: Stories of Faith and Grace in Art” invites people to think about how generosity informs their faith and perspective on life

MINNEAPOLIS (April 8, 2019) – Inspiring Generosity: Stories of Faith and Grace in Art, a new book from the Thrivent Collection of Religious Art, presents forty original prints, drawings and illuminated manuscripts spanning eight centuries of Western art history. With pieces from prominent artists like Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt van Rijn and Édouard Manet, the artworks highlight examples of compassion, giving and sacrifice. Each piece is presented with commentary that provides art historical, theological and devotional insights.

“Art has the ability to tell us meaningful stories about who we are and may also help us experience Scripture in new and profound ways,” said Joanna Reiling Lindell, director and curator at the Thrivent Collection of Religious Art. “These stories and images together remind us of the transformative power of generosity in our own lives and in the lives of others.”

As a not-for-profit membership organization of Christians, Thrivent recognizes the powerful connection between art and religion. Inspiring Generosity is one way Thrivent is sharing the Collection with its members and the broader community. The Thrivent Collection of Religious Art is open to the public and exists to be a shared educational and spiritual resource.

“We created Inspiring Generosity because we believe the artist’s contribution is worth celebrating and preserving,” said Lindell. “At Thrivent, our mission is to help members be wise with money and live generously. This book sheds light on how we can be wise stewards of the gifts God has given us and live in service to one another, our churches and our communities.”

Inspiring Generosity is written by Lindell, along with Ed Klodt and John Busacker. The book is a unique project from the Thrivent Collection of Religious Art, which was founded in 1982. Today, the Collection holds more than 1,200 original works on paper, miniatures, manuscripts, and paintings and has been globally recognized as a source of spiritual enrichment, artistic excellence, and art historical and theological education and research.

To learn more about Inspiring Generosity, please visit: ThriventInspiringGenerosity.com.

About Thrivent

Thrivent is a not-for-profit financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial professionals and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $134 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/18). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.