The same Adventist Artist who Creates Church-themed Sculptures for our Institutions also Creates Nude Sculptures for the World

Most Adventist institutions have some type of sculptural artwork on their campuses. These works of art often become the centerpiece of these institutions. Many of these bronze monuments have become a symbol of pride and accomplishment for Seventh-day Adventists. Victor Issa is one of these well-known Adventist sculptors whose works appear at the Ellen G. White Estates, in the lobby of the General Conference headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, at Loma Linda University, at AdventHealth headquarters and in several other Adventist centers.

Victor Issa is a “graduate of Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska,” a Seventh-day Adventist institution. He is also “the son of a Seventh-day Adventist pastor from Lebanon” who began creating sculpture while attending Union College. [1] He is an artist who for years has also dedicated himself to creating and selling sculptures of completely nude women, some of them life-size. And year after year, Seventh-day Adventists have rewarded him with contracts for his church-themed artwork. We will show just “some” of Victor Issa’s work below.

Victor Issa’s Sculptures of Ellen White

Victor Issa created a sculpture work called “This is the Very Place” to commemorate Ellen White’s visit to Loma Linda. Speakers at the unveiling ceremony were Loma Linda President Dr. Richard Hart; Victor Issa, sculptor; and Randy Roberts, senior pastor of Loma Linda University Church. Loma Linda University published a news report and described the bronze sculpture of Ellen White in the following words: “The sculpture by Victor Issa recalls the moment Ellen White visited Loma Linda on June 12, 1905, and knew it to be the location she had seen in a vision.” [3]

Victor Issa, pictured above, also created a bronze bust of Ellen White for the new Ellen G. White Estate Visitor Center located at the General Conference world headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland. Since the Ellen G. White Estates is open to the public anyone can go and take a tour Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and see the bronze head of the prophet. Victor is the creator of Ellen White’s bust, and he is selling them in various sizes. You can contact his studio and get your own bronze head of the prophet. [4]

President Ted Wilson and Victor Issa were at the dedication ceremony for the new visitor center. President Wilson said at this event, “It’s a dream that has been cooking for many, many years … May it always point people to the Word and most of all to the Living Word.” Victor Issa was asked if he hoped his bronze bust of Ellen White might have a big impact, to which he replied: “I have a hope the young people and others who see this will be part of the group waiting for the Second Coming.” [5]

Victor Issa’s “Bird Bath” Fountain Depicts a Full-size, Fully Nude Woman

For just $39,000 you can get your own full-size, completely nude bronze sculpture and water fountain created by Victor Issa. According to his online store, there are only two of these water fountains left. [6] [7] Victor stated in the Adventist Review that he wants “the youth” to see his works of art so they can be inspired to be part of the group that will be waiting for Jesus to return? Well, how about this one? Will this water fountain help young people prepare for Jesus? Victor has even promoted this “work of art” on Facebook for the whole world to see. [8] [9]

So, Victor Issa is selling bronze heads of the prophetess, Ellen White. Are we now going to start making monuments to the dead prophet while rejecting everything they had to say?

“Exciting love stories and the specimens of nude art displayed in art galleries, have a corrupting influence. The imagination becomes defiled. Then follow sins and crimes which drag beings formed in the image of God down below the level of the brutes, and sink them at last in perdition” (Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 137).

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:29-33.

Victor Issa’s “The King is Coming” at the General Conference Headquarters

Victor Issa, the Adventist sculptor, is best known for creating a set of statues called “The King is Coming.” This collection is actually a work created for the General Conference and has three main sections: Christ’s return in the clouds of heaven (left), an angel with a baby (center), and several people ready for Jesus to come (right).

The artwork “The King is Coming” is located in the atrium of the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These sculptures were unveiled during the opening ceremony of the General Conference Session in Toronto, Canada in 2000 to “illustrate” the session theme, “Almost Home.” [10].

Victor Issa’s “Gazelle” is a 3-foot Tall, Completely Nude Sculpture

This work by Victor Issa is a limited edition bronze nude sculpture titled “Gazelle.” He is depicting a carefully detailed, three-dimensional, fully nude, female sculpture. Then he sells them. This particular statue was auctioned for $4,600. [11] What does God say about this through His messenger?

“In the cars (train cars), photographs of females in a state of nudity are frequently circulated for sale. These disgusting pictures are also found in daguerrean saloons, and are hung upon the walls of those who deal in engravings. This is an age when corruption is teeming everywhere. The lust of the eye and corrupt passions are aroused by beholding and by reading. The heart is corrupted through the imagination. The mind takes pleasure in contemplating scenes which awaken the lower and baser passions. These vile images, seen through defiled imagination, corrupt the morals and prepare the deluded, infatuated beings to give loose rein to lustful passions. Then follow sins and crimes which drag beings formed in the image of God down to a level with the beasts, sinking them at last in perdition. Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 410).

Our world says that nudity is art. God says it is not. Nude art awakens the lower passions and corrupts morals. And if people continue down that path, it leads to “perdition,” not heaven. That’s what God says.

Victor Issa’s “Be His Light” Sculpture at Loma Linda University

“Be His Light” is the name of this life-size sculpture located at Loma Linda University School of Nursing. This work was created by Victor Issa to honor the 115 years of nursing at Loma Linda. [12]

The photo above is part of the unveiling ceremony for the “Be His Light” sculpture. Loma Linda University President Dr. Richard Hart, left, had this to say about Victor Issa, on the right: “It’s fairly common [when] you pick a piece of art by an artist the first time around, but when you go back time and time again to the same artist you know that they fit something very special” (Minute 21:00, Vimeo Video). [13]

Dr. Richard Hart then made the following observations about Victor Issa’s artwork after the sculptures were unveiled: “One of the particular things I like about Victor’s sculptures is that they’re interactive. You can touch them. You can caress them. You can take pictures with them. And I’m sure that’s what’s going to happen with this sculpture in the years ahead as students, faculty and others see it and realize its significance … So thank you Victor once again.” (Minute 29:11, Vimeo Video). [13]

Victor Issa’s “Dianna” is a Full-size, Nude Sculpture of the Roman Goddess

Will someone also “touch” this sculpture by Victor Issa? Will anyone be “caressing” Diana? How “interactive” is this sculpture? What is the meaning? Will the leaders of our church also thank Victor Issa for this work? Here is the full-size, completely nude sculpture of Diana, the Roman goddess. [14] The Greeks worshipped this same idol and called her Artemis. This is not our interpretation; Victor Issa calls this sculpture Diana and Artemis. [15]

The ancient Greeks and Romans created several nude sculptures of the goddesses Diana and Artemis with bow and arrow in hand. They were considered the goddesses of the hunt. So here you have it; when Victor Issa is not creating sculptures for the General Conference or Loma Linda, he is busy promoting his full-sized, fully naked statues of pagan goddesses. Does anyone else see a problem with this besides God?

“The church of God is today courting the world. Its members are trying to bring it down to the level of the ungodly. The ball, the theater, nude and lewd art, social luxuries with all their loose moralities, are making inroads into the sacred inclosure of the church; and as a satisfaction for all this worldliness … It is the old trick of Satan” (Great Controversy, pp. 386, 387).

How can we inspire people with artistic depictions of Ellen White, Jesus and other church-themed statues and then bring people down to the “level of the ungodly” and “worldliness” with “nude” sculptures of pagan goddesses? God is not mocked and He sees all of this.

Victor Issa’s “Come Unto Me” Sculptures at Loma Linda

Loma Linda University Health also has a set of statues created by Victor Issa that depicts Christ’s invitation when He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29. Victor Issa said that while creating this particular work for Loma Linda, he experienced a “personal transformation in his own life as he worked to convey the joy of this message” through the “work of art.” [16]

Victor Issa’s 2019 “Inspiration Miniature”

Victor’s “Inspiration Miniature” is a 7-inch representation of another nude woman. Victor said in 2009 that he had a “transformation” in his own life after creating the “Come Unto Me” sculpture for Loma Linda University. So what has happened since then? What happened in 2019 when he started producing his 7-inch “Inspirational Miniature” of completely naked women, which are being sold to the public for $1200? [17]

“Those who would not fall prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts” (Mind, Character and Personality, p. 228).

Victor Issa’s Sculptures at AdventistHealth

In 2019, while Victor Issa was preparing to sell his fully nude 7-inch statues for $1,200, AdventHealth unveiled two of his works at its headquarters in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Victor’s works “Healing at Bethesda” and “The Master Healer” were installed to exemplify “Christ’s healing ministry on earth.” How about exemplifying the life of Christ in our own personal life in everything we do, including art?

Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Office for AdventHealth, Sandra Johnson, said the following about the sculptures: “We are so blessed to come to work every day and have an artistic expression of our faith, our ministry, right here on campus, and to have something that symbolizes what our organization stands for — whole-person healing.” [18]

Victor Issa, left, is at AdventHealth’s headquarters with Ted Hamilton, right, AdventHealth’s chief mission integration officer. This presents a serious conflict of interest. How do you create church related works for our Seventh-day Adventist institutions and at the same time provide nude sculptures to other clients? The Bible says that lust is a sin (Matthew 5:28; 1 John 2:16) and the Spirit of Prophecy clearly says that nude images do provide the occasions for lust. As Christians, God’s word tells us that we have a responsibility against not inciting others to sin (lust).

“That no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Romans 13:14.

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 14:13.

We must avoid the things that cause us or others to lust (sin). That’s what God’s word says. In fact, we will bear the full responsibility for the loss of souls if we have a part in causing them to lust or sin.

Victor Issa’s “Freedom” Sculpture

Victor’s nude “Freedom” sculpture comes is different sizes. Some are 2 feet tall and others life-size. This smaller version sold for $1,625. [19] [20] Is a woman spreading her bare chest a symbol of freedom? Maybe it was during the French Revolution. Unfortunately, these types of representations celebrating nudity do not extol freedom but have a “corrupting influence” and defiles our “imagination.”

“Impure pictures have a corrupting influence. Novels are eagerly pursued by many, and as a result, their imagination becomes defiled” (Mind, Character and Personality, p. 229).

Victor Issa’s “Eden Restored” Monument at Porter Adventist Hospital  

There are three Seventh-day Adventist hospitals in Denver, Colorado that all have Victor Issa’s “Eden Restored” sculptures installed at their entrances. The bronze statutes show the lion and the lamb together, along with Jesus and other figures. Stephen King, director of mission and ministry for PorterCare Adventist Health System, said the following about Victor Issa’s work:

“The bronze sculptures symbolize the unique mission of the hospitals in the PorterCare Adventist Health System … Our corporate mission is to provide renewed hope, health and well-being for people in our communities.” [21] [22]

The “Eden Restored” monuments also have a plaque containing Victor Issa’s words. If we are trying to restore Eden, why doesn’t Victor put garments of light on his nude statues? “Eden Restored” are his own words and the theme he selected. So how can we restore Eden while continuing to glorify naked women? God believes in covering the body.

“The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 45).

After Adam and Eve sinned they saw their nakedness and were ashamed. They tried to cover their bodies with leaves. God removed the fig leaves, a poor and inadequate covering, and gave them animal skins, a more permanent covering. Obviously, God considers covering our bodies to be appropriate and necessary in our fallen world. What God has covered, let no man uncover.

Victor Issa’s “Essence” is Another Fully Nude Female Bronze Sculpture

This 2 1/2 foot bronze sculpture created by Victor Issa called “Essence” will cost you around $4,750. [23] These sculptures are extremely detailed and three dimensional. Victor has also published this sculpture on his Facebook page for the world to see. [24] Why create, portray and sell so many different images of nude women? Is this sexually objectifying women or simply celebrating the female body? If it’s the latter, then really, this is turning the female body into an idol. God has told us how the bodies of women (and men) should be treated:

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9, 10.

Christians have been called to adorn themselves in modest apparel. In this particular passage, God is calling women to live and dress modestly. This means specifically, to dress and behave in a way that avoids inciting lust in others. This is God’s will for both men and women, and if God has declared that we should wear “modest apparel” then why in the world would we want to create and sell so-called works of “art” that depict women fully nude? This is so blatantly contrary to everything inspiration says.

 Victor Issa’s Fully Nude “Water Dance”

Here is Victor Issa’s nude depiction of another young girl called “Water Dance.” Jesus walked on water, but I suppose a nude woman dancing on the water is a supernatural miracle that is more profitable at auction. Victor has also uploaded the details of this nude creation onto his Facebook page. [25] Nudity is supposed to be banned on Facebook.

Victor Issa’s “Power of Thought” Sculpture

For just $65,000 you can get your personal copy of Victor Issa’s “The Power of Thought” bronze sculpture. [26] This sculpture stands over 7 feet tall and is supposed to celebrate human achievements throughout the centuries. [27] I guess clothing was not one of our accomplishments. The other side of the bronze statue is deliberately provocative. [28]

Inspiration tells us that nudity in art and elsewhere should be avoided. The art world does not agree with God’s thinking, but that shouldn’t surprise us. The world is always at odds with biblical principles. Our culture is always pushing to eliminate the fine line between “artistic expression” and the morally obscene. But it doesn’t matter what our intention is; if what we are doing incites lust in another person, such as nudity, we are causing them to sin. We cannot evaluate art on the basis of our own personal understanding. We are broken because of sin, and our hearts are deceitful and can be misled (Jeremiah 17:9). God’s word alone is the standard we are called to uphold.

Will Seventh-day Adventists continue to commission “art” from church members who traffic in nudity? Will we continue to reward them by giving them hundreds of thousands of dollars to create more sculptures for our institutions? If we do, then the bronze sculptures of the pioneers, Ellen White, Jesus and all other church-themed art will only RING HOLLOW in the eyes and ears of God. They will not appear genuine but false and insincere:

• “Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.” Isaiah 1:13.
• “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” Isaiah 1:15.
• “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil” Isaiah 1:16.
• “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17.
• “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.
• “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” Isaiah 1:19.
• “But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:20.

Sources

[1] https://www.adventistreview.org/archives/2000-bulletin1/7-sculpture.html

[2] https://twitter.com/lluhealth/status/1224772125879361537

[3] https://alliedhealth.llu.edu/about/very-place-sculpture

[4] https://victorissa.com/collection/ellen-white/

[5] https://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story2535-ellen-white-gets-a-world-class-visitors-center

[6] http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=victorissa&cart_id=17145.19270&product_name=Bird+Bath,+The+Life-size+Fountain.+Edition+of+12&return_page=&user-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact

[7] http://www.king-cart.com/store/victorissa/BirdBath.jpg

[8] https://www.facebook.com/125263120837297/photos/a.127826397247636/127842007246075

[9] https://www.facebook.com/Victor-Issa-s-Living-Bronze-Gallery-125263120837297/photos/a.127826397247636/127842003912742

[10] https://www.adventistreview.org/archives/2000-bulletin1/7-sculpture.html

[11] https://caseantiques.com/item/lot-443-victor-issa-bronze-nude-sculpture/

[12] https://news.llu.edu/academics/new-sculpture-depicts-nurses-faith-and-commitment-compassionate-care

[13] https://player.vimeo.com/video/471167091

[14] https://ucnra.hibid.com/lot/80238-150936-1355/lifesize–diana–by-victor-issa/

[15] http://victorissa.com/collection/huntress/

[16] https://news.llu.edu/community/come-unto-me-sculptures-relocated-next-future-galleria-entrance

[17] https://www.sculptureinthepark.org/gallery-victor-issa/inspiration-miniature

[18] https://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story13837-sculpture-series-illustrates-christs-healing-ministry

[19] https://auctions.neworleansauction.com/auction-lot-detail/Victor-Issa-(American,-20th-Century),-%22Freedom,-Nude&qu&salelot=2001+++++843+&refno=++400544

[20] https://www.barnebys.com/auctions/lot/victor-issa-iocqwsyqo

[21] https://adventist.news/news/hospitals-unveil-sculptures-portraying-assurance-and-restoration

[22] https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMGXYN_Jesus_Eden_Restored_Parker_CO

[23] https://www.proxibid.com/Art-Antiques-Collectibles/Art/Victor-Issa-Essence-stylized-female-nude-bronze-sculpture-height-31-quot/lotInformation/42716441

[24] https://www.facebook.com/Victor-Issa-s-Living-Bronze-Gallery-125263120837297/photos/a.127826397247636/127842067246069

[25] https://www.facebook.com/125263120837297/photos/a.127826397247636/127845070579102/?__tn__=%2CO*F

[26] https://www.sculptureinthepark.org/gallery-victor-issa/power-of-thought

[27] https://www.bronzepowerofthought.com/

[28] https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ad3fc0f4458a4cfe7da1b4/1621971205977-R37Q3G8D193NE5TH3UF6/POTNITESHOT.jpg