Old Testament Stained Glass Windows

Stained Glass Windows Illustrating the Old Testament

The Bible–the single most important document in the Christian faith–is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The latter focuses on Christ’s ministry, and includes the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and several other books. The Old Testament recounts the history of the Jews–God’s chosen people–before the birth of Jesus. Both sections of the Christian biblical canon are considered to be the word of God, which is why some church leaders choose to include pictorial stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Old Testament in their religious sanctuaries.

The Passover is illustrated in stunning stained glass.

The Story of The Old Testament

The Old Testament is comprised of dozens of books that contain numerous important religious figures and stories. A few of the more commonly known parts of the Old Testament are summarized below.

• The Creation of Earth (Genesis 1:1 – 2:7): The Old Testament answers the basic question of how the Earth came to be. At the beginning of time there was nothing. In the span of six days God created the universe, the Earth, and all the creatures that dwell on our planet. Before resting on the seventh day, He also made Adam and Eve, the world’s first people. Old Testament stained glass may show the pair in the idyllic Garden of Eden or near the forbidden Tree of Knowledge.
  
  
• Noah’s Ark (Genesis 5:1 – 9:17): God made Adam and Eve when He created the Earth, and after several generations the population grew. Because of mankind’s wickedness and sinful ways, however, God planned to destroy everything in a great flood. Noah and his family were good and righteous, and so God made the decision to spare them. He instructed Noah to build a great ark, and pairs of animals boarded the vessel before the storm began. It rained for 40 days and nights. All living things except those aboard the ark were destroyed.
  
  
• The Ten Commandments (Exodus 19 – 35): The Ten Commandments were written on stone tablets and given to Moses by God while the faithful man was on Mount Sinai. Straightforward and clear, these rules can help anyone who wishes to live a decent life and exist harmoniously with their fellow man. 
  

Theoretically, any portion of the Old Testament can serve as the basis for Catholic stained glass. However, church leaders might want to consider sticking with stained glass images most parishioners will be familiar with and stained glass designs that are consistent with the teachings found in the New Testament.

Adam and Eve are pictured in stained glass.

What Can Stained Glass Panels From Stained Glass Inc. Do For Your Sanctuary?

• Present central lessons of the faith in faceted glass to make them more accessible to visual learners
• Provide a source of meditation and reflection for all members of your parish
• Allow you to include stained glass images that have special meaning to your congregation
• Make pulpit fronts, baptismal fonts, and other church furnishings glorious examples of stained glass art

Visit us online to see our complete collection of Old Testament stained glass images!