Throughout history religion has been taught by art. The Christian religion in particular teaches its religion through stories or parables. Some of these stories have been transformed into art to aid understanding of the story. Many Christian artists showed the life of Christ through paintings. Carl Bloch had the opportunity to paint the life of Christ for Frederiksborg Castle Church. They showed his birth from the Virgin Mary and his death on the cross. These paintings also show what he did on earth. Christ taught and healed many people. Some of his paintings are altar pieces for the church. The scale of these paintings invites viewers to experience the story of the painting and apply it to themselves. In the painting Christ Heals at the Pool of Bethesda by Carl Bloch, it is depicted that even in times of darkness and despair Christ is there to help people. In Christ Heals at the Pool of Bethesda Bloch's use of lighting plays a crucial role. The painting is shadowed and rather dark, but Christ is light and bright. The men behind Christ who are dark and in the shadow are the ones who try to accuse Him of wrongdoing. I am the opposite of Christ. Christ is the brightest figure in the painting. He lifts the cloth shelter, showing the sticks and straw on which the elderly man is lying. This man is among the darkest in the painting and lives in the worst circumstances. Although this old man is sick and dirty, it is Christ who is there to help him and ultimately heal him. Enlightenment helps portray that, even when it seems like hope is lost and darkness has won, Christ is there to help you and give you the light to continue. The colors of the painting Christ Heals at the Pool of Bethesda are all rather dull. ..... half of the paper ...... I help him. Hoffman's painting shows that people who want Christ's help and healing power come to him and ask. However, in Bloch's painting Christ reaches out to those who are desperate and asks them if he can help them. Both of these paintings show Christ's desire and willingness to help and heal people. Religion has always been able to give people something to turn to for help. It answers their questions and gives them hope for the future. In the Christian faith, followers are taught that Christ will help them if they believe and follow Him. Carl Bloch's painting Christ Heals at the Pool of Bethesda is a great example of Christ helping and healing those who are experiencing times of despair and need someone to turn to. Religion is what helps ground people and gives them hope. If we didn't have religion people would be lost and in darkness.