May
20
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Our Dual Nature
I was visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Art, one of my favorite places on earth, when I came across this painting by Emerson C. Burkhart. This piece is one of over two hundred self-portraits he created. When asked why he painted himself so frequently, Burkhart explained, “It’s cheaper than hiring a model, and it’s reliable. It’s always there when I want it.” One art historian observed that “his self-portraits chronicle an array of human dispositions and vanities. The scowling, smiling, grimacing, and leering images of himself that Burkhart painted throughout his career form an archive of nature studies from someone endlessly fascinated with, and perplexed by, his own existence.”
This painting, titled The Animal Nature of Man, is a striking visual exploration of the duality within humanity—the tension between our higher spiritual calling and our baser instincts. This piece invites us to reflect on the complex nature of being human, uniquely made in the image of God yet often swayed by primal desires and impulses.
Burkhart’s use of vivid imagery and raw emotion compels us to confront the aspects of ourselves that we might prefer to ignore. It seems to suggest that within each of us lies a struggle between our divine nature and our animalistic tendencies. This duality can manifest in various ways, such as the conflict between selflessness and selfishness, compassion and aggression, or rational thought and irrational behavior.
The Bible tells us that humanity was created in the image of God, endowed with the capacity for reason, morality, and love. Yet, our fallen nature often leads us astray, pulling us towards actions and attitudes that contradict our divine purpose. The apostle Paul captures this internal battle in Romans 7:15, where he writes, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.”
As we meditate on Burkhart’s painting, we can find solace in the fact that this struggle is not unique to us alone. It is a shared human experience, a part of our journey toward spiritual growth and maturity. Acknowledging our weaknesses and failings is the first step towards seeking God’s grace and strength to overcome them.
Being Human connection: In our daily lives, we are constantly faced with choices that reflect either our higher calling or our base inclinations. When we choose love over hate, forgiveness over revenge, and kindness over cruelty, we reflect the image of God within us. It is through these choices that we can rise above our human nature and live out our true identity as children of God.
Featured art: Emerson C. Burkhart, The Animal Nature in Man, 1947