"The arts are John the Baptist of the heart, preparing the affections for Christ."—Jacques Maritain
Art Bears Witness in a Secular Age
by Laurel Gasque
There lurks a widespread suspicion of the arts, not just in the church but also in our wider culture. Schools marginalize the arts and public funding for the arts is rarely generous. But what would life be like without the arts? Unthinkable.
Making Things Well
Art is about making things, and we live in a world we are constructing for good or ill all of the time. British artist Eric Gill said, "Art is making things well, whether symphonies or drain pipes!"
The need for Christians to take up callings in the arts for the benefit of the church and our culture is today greater than ever. Our world cries out for the spiritual nutrients of the good, the true and the beautiful to nourish our hearts and minds and lives. In the Christian tradition the arts and those who create them have a powerful history and high frequency of delivering all three of these essential ideals.
We need not look far. Scripture shows how artistic skills are sacred in God's economy. God values the occupation of the artist. The Lord spoke to Moses to say he had filled the artist Bezalel "with the Spirit of God" (the first mention of the filling of the Spirit in the Bible!) to honour Him through his abilities, intelligence and knowledge in the creation of the Tabernacle.
Not only that, Exodus 31:1-11 and 35:30-36:7 tell us Bezalel had a colleague, Oholiab, suggesting that collaboration in creative endeavours is good (in distinct contrast to notions of the artist as a lonely, tormented, misunderstood, perhaps somewhat insane, impractical genius). Furthermore, the work of Bezalel and Oholiab was centred in community and they had many gifted volunteers whose hearts were stirred to partner with them in their task.
Our Lord was an artist/poet extraordinaire (in company with the hymn writers, poets, prophets, and sages whom God used to give us the Bible). As God become man, he crafted words of life and love in the language his mother taught Him (like every other mother teaches her child), words that the world will never forget!...
Art As Witness-Bearer
Art bears witness in a secular society in a way that no other means can. It should fill us with awe and inspiration as believers in our beleaguered times that during the Roman Empire between the third and sixth centuries the entire ancient pantheon of gods was replaced by the central image of Jesus Christ and the saints, and that, furthermore, this would constitute the core of the visual imagery of Western culture almost to our day. This was the work of artists as much as the work of theologians and preachers.When treatises and sermons are gone or only accessible to scholars, we still have the sparkling biblical and theological images in the mosaics of Ravenna, Italy, the glory of Chartres Cathedral and the moving profundity of J. S. Bach's music bearing eloquent witness to the faith with an intriguing credibility that only the most ignorant and hard-hearted can dismiss...
If we truly believe in sharing the Good News, we must believe in artists and their vocation, affirming their ability to communicate both explicitly and implicitly the faith to this generation and beyond.
This excerpt is quoted from Laurel Gasque's article "Comment: Art bears witness in a secular age" published in canadianchristianity.com.
Related
1. The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit by Janice Elsheimer 2. MOBIA (Museum of Biblical Art, NYC). Featured Exhibition—Reel Religion: A Century of Bible and Film
How creative are you?
Is blogging an Art form?
How creative are you? Is blogging an Art form?
Photo: 365bunnies (Flickr)
9 Comments:
I agree with you for the most part! I love the arts especially the art of music, but when money is tight what is BEST? Are there things more important then funding the arts! Will a true artist rise above lack of funding! Where does it end?
As a musical artist, amen! Great post! As far as funding, I don't have a short answer to that one - it would probably a few long blog posts and debates all by itself. Speaking as a pianist, piano teacher and volunteer church keyboardist, there is so much we can do to contribute freely our time as artists to the community, instilling a love for and perpetuating the arts without even getting into the issue of funding yet...
Writing is my art form, and this post inspires me to keep at it, especially the quote at the top, "The arts are John the Baptist of the heart, preparing the affections for Christ." I've always seen my role as a woman is to nourish and nurture emotional and spiritual ground for later witnesses, but as a writer, it is a more careful balance of expression without becoming didactic.
I appreciate this post. When I was a younger homemaker, I struggled with whether it was wasteful to spend time and money on making things pretty. One thought that came to mind was that God didn't make everything "just" functional -- even in a word affected by sin, there is still great beauty. Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking helped a great deal in that regard as well. It all has to be kept in balance, of course, with the budget and other responisbilities. But there is something about art in any form that feeds the soul.
Very interesting post! (My husband majored in graphic design but unfortunately, hasn't really been able to use it to the fullest.)
I agree that God can use various art forms (paintings, music, writing, even dance and acting) for His glory!
You've hit a subject near and dear to my heart, e-Mom.
We must find ways to perpetuate the arts because they touch our hearts, drawing us to the beauty of God, and define who we are as a people. Funding need not be an issue. Black gospel came out of the misery of slavery. The arts help us process life and can enrich the lives of anyone. A good book or CD can be a vacation from our stress.
Is it the capitalistic nature of our country which cause these discussions? I can't imagine anyone questioning the importance of art in third world countries where their art helps them get through the day.
Is blogging an art form? It can be. I submit Ann Voskamp at Holy Experience for an example. But it can too easily become a self-absorbed treatise. This brings up a whole 'nother question. What constitutes art? (Oh no, now my head is spinning. Look what you did to me, e-Mom?!)
Btw, have you heard Quincy Jones is circulating a petition to get a cabinet position in the White House of Secretary of Arts?
A Stone Gatherer: Hmmm, you raise a good point... the funding issue, for which I have no answer. :~D
Tara: Now this is a wonderful perspective: there is so much we can do to contribute freely our time as artists to the community, instilling a love for and perpetuating the arts without even getting into the issue of funding yet... AMEN!
jthirst: So well said! Thanks for your perspective. :~D
Barbara H: I love Edith Schaeffer! And I agree: there is something about art in any form that feeds the soul.
Tammy: Really? I didn't know your husband was artistic. Fantastic!
TamiB: This is excellent: Funding need not be an issue. Black gospel came out of the misery of slavery. The arts help us process life and can enrich the lives of anyone. A good book or CD can be a vacation from our stress. I SO agree. :~D
I do think blogging can be an art form, depending on the author. I haven't visited Ann V. for some time... a good reminder, thanks.
Yes, I did hear something about getting a Secretary of the Arts. Something to keep an eye on.
Bless you and your husband for your commitment to the arts in the church!
AMEN! As you know from visiting my blog, my youngest is a dancer both in the secular world and more importantly in the church with the drama/music/dance ministry.
And my oldest has a "gifting" in drawing.
My hubby and I both support local arts genres and used to be a part of our former church's music ministry and dance teams. Currently, his art is writing fiction and mine is writing music that the Lord puts on my heart. I am thankful I live in an area where the arts are appreciated and (usually) highly supported including our school district! Can you imagine life without music and beautiful dancing/photos, etc.? I am so glad that God created us to create!!
Faith: Can you imagine life without music and beautiful dancing/photos, etc.? No, I really can't. It sounds like your family is really gifted. :~D
Like you, I adore the arts including graphic design, photography and dance. Did you know I majored in Art History in college? The Arts are absolutely essential to me.
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