Some Thoughts on Art, Part 2



My further-developing views on art. (Click here for Part 1)

I've gotten to the point where I just yawn whenever I hear Christians talk about the arts. Why can't we just make art and enjoy it, instead of coming up with all these idealistic reasons that Christians should come up with 'culture-transforming art' or whatever, as if we have to justify our enjoyment of it or something? Yes, a work of art can have a great impact on someone's life. Yes, that impact can even be what God uses to bring them to salvation. God can use The Passion just as much as he can MacArthur or Eldridge.

But this seems to be the motto of most Christian artists I talk to nowadays. They almost all quote C.S. Lewis and they almost all have their copy of Francis Schaeffer's Art and the Bible. Not that there's anything too terribly wrong with either of those, but how often do you hear plumbers and engineers work up some philosophical apologetic to support their vocation? More often than not, when asked why they chose their professional occupation, it's usually something to the effect of "It pays the bills, I'm good at it, and I enjoy it", or some combination of the three. No trying to 'christianize' it or whatever, even though these same people may take advantage of many opportunities during the day to share the Gospel. When Christian artists approach their work in a similar way and enter into the secular marketplace, they get accused of 'selling-out', unless of course, they go with the declaration of their intention of transforming culture.

Other Christian artists who don't necessarily buy into the cultural transformation camp may declare their intention of simply building one-on-one relationships with people in the secular art-world in order to share the Gospel with them. Now this is what should happen anyway (and does happen in other occupations), and this is how the Gospel is spread. Building relationships and allowing God to transform individuals through the power of the Gospel. But still, even this can be used a rationalization for a Christian's involvement in the arts.

But we don't need a rationalization for this. Art is just communication, a morally-neutral medium, not a 'worldly' thing that has to be redeemed. Like any other tool, it can be used for good or evil. It's not that big of a deal. It doesn't have to be capitalized (ie., 'Art'). Enjoy making and experiencing it because you have the freedom to so, and give glory to God that he has given the arts to you to enjoy.

Some additional observations to think about:

• Most of the time, the best and most innovative art is made by non-Christians. I have yet to find any biblical support that says this should be otherwise, or that it should be so. The Bible doesn't really have anything to say on who should produce better art, Christians or non-Christians. As a matter of fact, Paul says that "not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

• Really good Christian art usually has a greater impact on Christians than non-Christians.

• When was the last time that you heard of a genuine revival occurring as the result of movement in the world of music or painting?

• Art is not a concept like Wisdom, Faith, Hope, Love, Freedom, or Knowledge. It is, however, a medium for conveying such concepts.

Thoughts and comments?

Labels: film/tv/books/arts, religion/theology/philosophy