What the word "Agape" means from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia online.

Agape (Ancient Greek ἀγάπη, agápē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God".[1] The word is not be confused with philia, brotherly love, as it embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance. The noun form first occurs in the Septuagint, but the verb form goes as far back as Homer, translated literally as affection, as in "greet with affection" and "show affection for the dead".[2] Other ancient authors have used forms of the word to denote love of a spouse or family, or affection for a particular activity, in contrast to philia (an affection that could denote friendship, brotherhood, or generally non-sexual affection) and eros (an affection of a sexual nature).

Within Christianity, agape is considered to be the love originating from God or Christ for mankind.[3] In the New Testament, it refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of one's fellow man.[4] Some contemporary writers have sought to extend the use of agape into non-religious contexts.[5] [6]

The concept of agape has been widely examined within its Christian context.[7] It has also been considered in the contexts of other religions,[8] religious ethics,[9] and science.

ABOUT THIS PIECE

The Ultimate Sacrifice was created as a result of a possible heart attack Brad experienced while working on a commission painting for a church of an angel. In extreme pain, Brad promised God that if He would get him through this experience, he would then paint a piece to glorify his creator. As if it were meant to be, the chest pain resolved and Brad was able to complete the commission piece he was working on. He began creating this piece, 'The Ultimate Sacrifice' the next morning. Not knowing what this piece that he promised God would be, he began painting what he says was an emotional and spiritual pull toward the crucifixion of Christ. This piece was not planned out, not laid out, and not even thought out.  It was Parrish with Mozart's Requiem blasting in the background and a divine spiritual experience that was driving Brad to paint this piece. The piece was painted in one 16 hour sitting. Parrish working from the center out knew he wanted to capture a close up and personal experience with the viewer and Christ in this his last moments.  As he put it, "I was being driven to create a work that I truly believe was not my conception but that of God.  I was the tool. I had already completed the head and torso of Christ and was working on his shoulders and arms when I realized I was not only an observer of this tragic event, I was for some a participant.  I knew what to do next. I began scratching a box around Him.  Here I was saying to Christ what so many had said to him on that fatal day, "Here you are, king of the Jews,  lets frame you in and glorify you! Save yourself!"  I found through my actions and efforts I realized that I had put myself in the position of those who crucified him. I was no better than any of those who mocked and crucified him.  I found myself reaching for the red paint, a representation of Christ's blood that was shed for us. To the crescendo of the background music, I began throwing it at the canvas over and over again. Finally, I was exhausted, and as tears fell from my eyes I knew it was over, I could paint no more". 

Original Painting Painted in: 1996

This Print Was Released in: 1998

Description: Printed using archival inks on archival heavyweight fine art paper then applied to 100% cotton duck canvas and museum stretched on artist's wood stretchers. Finally, the entire canvas receives a strong acrylic UV coating over the entire image on canvas giving you the ability to wipe the surface of this piece with a damp cloth using a very mild soap.

Canvas Image Size: 22 3/4"H x 30 1/2"W

Signed & Numbered: Yes,  signed "Parrish" in gold metallic ink in the lower right corner and numbered at the end of the artist's signature.

This canvas number in the edition is: AP 100 out of an edition of 500 AP's

* This reproduction is the closest in size and has the closest look and feel of the original oil on canvas which Brad painted on a canvas measuring 30"H x 40"W.

This reproduction on canvas is from the Signed & Numbered "Artist Proof" Limited Edition called the "Agape" Edition. This edition of 500 (AP) Artist Proofs canvas reproductions is solely what the "Agape" edition is. No paper editions are in the "Agape" edition, only 500 canvas AP's "Artist Proof's" make this edition the "Agape" edition.