Christians and the Arts

What has brought this to mind is that I am working on a writing project and someone asked me about it. They were surprised that it is not "Christian" in nature.

Hi Krispy,
I also write in a secular context – for the local paper. I write stories about people, businesses, organizations and such. I thankfully don’t have to deal with hard-core churched folk breathing down my back, criticizing me for being too “secular”. But still I see a place for our faith.

In our research and preparation we invariably see evidence of human fallenness. We simply can’t separate our faith from our work; but we can use our assignments to reveal a positive quality of our faith. Few may remember the details of our projects, but in the long run people do remember something about us – and that we care about what’s important to them. “Consider other’s interests ahead of your own”. The world doesn't just need our God-talk. Society is like a dry sponge craving for some drop of goodness. And our little offerings can go a long way in revealing the reality of God.

Here’s another way our projects can be an influence: I just wrote about a bird watcher in my town. He addressed the threat to our birds caused by changed farming habits. I expounded that point without either defending or slandering our local farmers. After all, we are all part of that problem – the insatiable drive to get ahead. That point, in itself, can heighten the collective conscience to the consequences of our life choices and habits. God can use that too – even in a local paper.

To me, that same general idea holds true for my “secular” musical involvements. … Oh…. and church isn’t that far from being secular in itself!

Does that address your thoughts, Krispy?
May God bless your project!
And make sure you do a good job! That goes a long way in being good testimony for God.

Diane

Some people don't realize there is a wide latitude of freedom in Christ and that if what you are doing is not of true faith then it is sin.

That is the measuring stick. Is it of faith? And I would add (because I am going to be misunderstood), that I am not talking about natural faith (i.e. I know the sun will come up), but Godly faith, generated from the presence of Christ within you and your relationship with Him. Whatever is not of the faith that you presently have with Christ is sin.

No one would deny God is an artist. Some Christians do not even like some of His art as manifested in some living creatures. God allows them freedom to not like some of His art. That is gracious of Him. Some people think that some animals or insects or plants are repugnant while others think they are awesome.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we should be gracious enough not to be rude.

Now, with that said, "art" that denigrates Christ or anyone else is not art to me.

Just my 2 cents,
Pilgrim

Hi Krispy,

I'm at a small creative company that does visual work for many different brands. A few of our clients are "Christian", but the vast majority are not. Most of our clients are consumer brands...the same consumer brands that the Christians who are questioning you, probably use to brush their teeth or wash their clothes with.

A life long struggle I have had with my own tribe, conservative Christianity, is that we harbor anti-humanity feelings.

MC

small-mindedness.

God is not small-minded otherwise there would only be a few species of plants, animals and insects.

The expression of the Body of Christ is the expression of the Head (the Creator of all) through His Body and it will manifest as incredible multi-faceted and varied expressions all over the earth.

Our humanity is an expression of God. Our humanity in and of itself is beautiful and should be used by the Holy Spirit and not the unholy spirit. Humans are likened in scripture as containers. We are vessels, cups, temples, tabernacles, etc. We were made to contain God and that will result in limitless expressions of His beauty and glory.

My 3 cents, now.
Pilgrim

Krispy wrote:
The first question I got when I mentioned it to a Christian friend was "This is going to be a Christian novel, right?"

God bless you and your project,
Lisa

Good on you Krispy. Though I've not posted before, I've lurke for years and feel familiar with your forum presence. It makes me so happy to hear this.

I appreciate Compton's comment that so many Christian's have anti-humanity thoughts. Literature falls into the acaademic discipline of tge humanities, being the study of the product of humanity. Though this gets unfortunately mixed with opposition to the philosophical idea of humanism, it shouldn't.

I remember reading this last year and think it's relevant:

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?forum=35&topic_id=39289&post_id=286801&viewmode=thread&order=0

Thanks for sharing, krispy. all the best.

cyril

That was a good link, philomastix.

In every generation we have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight to see how the church spiritualized viewpoints it really had just inherited from the world. One of the most subtle and pernicious was the 20th century notion that a dutiful productive individual person must play their isolated role without question or concern for the big picture. Thankfully such a view has been recognized as untenable for the 21st century, as it limits crucial problem solving, network relationship building, and collaboration which is crucial to innovation. It is also demeaning to the psychological and spiritual parts of humanity.

The conservative Christian suspicion towards creativity and self-expression, does not come from the bible, but from the scientific management theories of the early 20th century industrial economy. Google Frederick W Taylor and see if you recognize the modern conservative Christian ethos towards human activity within the church organization.

MC

Well....Steve, in your book you going to dismiss common sense as irrelevant? Will evil triumph over God? Is goodness old-fashioned, no trait to be desired, yearned for, or pursued? Is God a mere observer of the cosmos not taking any interest in human affairs?

Or, are you writing something like "Rascal" or "Summer of the Monkeys"? (Yes, I prefer children's fiction - adult fiction has too much stress - I live with enough on a daily basis to allow it to entertain me.)

Have you ever read "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglass? I am rereading it again for the first time in many years - it having been a favorite when I was a teen. I am discovering the writer sharing a lot of Christian philosophies through his characters.

Steve, you questioning the will of God in your pursuit? Sounds to me like you are working to justify it, or defend it. Read your post as though someone else wrote it and what would you say?

Ginny,

Speaking for myself, and not for Steve...

First of all, let me say Ginny, there are few freinds here at SI, that I respect more then yourself.

However, all my life I've had to quietly endure condescending smiles, polite cycnicism, or mistrustful inquiries like the ones you've raised here, from people who needed to know the practical benifit of a thing before they trusted it. Now I understand such well intentioned people...but they do not seem to reciprocate!

As this thread is focused on Steve, now I have an opportunity to learn as an observer. As an observer in this case, help me understand...what in Steve's post causes you to think his book project indicates he is sneaking away from God? What phrase or clue did he give to make you worried he is abandoning integrity towards the scriptures or redefining God in some unbiblical way?

It's funny, but I read his post completely different. I saw a man entering into his middle years with a sense of wanting to reflect on his life thus far. Someone who is done with youthful posturing, and is now interested in growing inwardly, not just in reputation. I might even venture that I see someone who is at so much at peace with his position in Jesus Christ, that he is more willing to risk honesty and misunderstanding with people.

Perhaps I am off.

Blessings,

Mike

When I discovered surfing(a looong time ago), I became so enraptured by it, that it infiltrated every sphere of my life. Was I to write an essay for school, no matter what the subject was, I would bend/force/adapt it to feature my obsession. When scribbling in my homework book it would be a picture of me doing an “off the lip” from an insanely huge wave, or strolling down a beach with an idyllic sunset and girl, with my surfboard under my arm.

After my salvation, my Father sent me to go and complete a Diploma Course in Graphic Design. My poor lecturers had a hard time to keep me focused on any project without Jesus featuring in it somewhere.

The point is that whatever the heart is filled with, will overflow into whatever you do. I once heard Bruce Springsteen quote someone else who described an artist as “someone who makes people care about his obsession”. Being married to an artist, I have noticed that art that “speaks” the loudest is the art that comes straight from the heart. No matter how refined your skill, or artistic language and style may be, without passion it is empty. And our Passion should be Jesus and His Kingdom.

Blessings

Joch

Krispy you wrote:There is a lot of me in the main character, and thats exactly what one of the themes of the book is... reflecting on my life thus far. Where I've been, where I am going. There is a lot of uncertainty going on with the main character, which is where I am at in life in a practical sense.

_______

since you have said there is a lot of the main character that is like "you", then I am sure that the Lord would be central in your book. I say that Steve because I have read so many of your posts here on SI that Jesus is Lord of your life and I know you believe as we all do that JESUS is in every single aspect of our life, there is no area that we separate or keep away from HIM so I am sure that your book will reflect that. I wish you good luck with your project and that you find joy in HIM as you continue this process of working on this story. GOD takes us on so many journeys in our life and sometimes it is really amazing what we have learned once we get to the end...keep your eyes fixed on JESUS as you weave the lives of your characters together and I am sure it will be a blessing to read for many.

God Bless
mj

Mike, I think your question deserves an answer.

First off, I read only Steve's lead post, did not read the response of others - I do that sometimes for a couple reasons, one being that it will divert me away from my gut reaction.

Steve said he did not want to write Christian fiction. So does this mean that attributes of truth, honesty, justice, purity lovely are to be sacrificed in the name of art? (Phil. 4:8) Most art defies these principles. This is what raised the question in my mind. When the Holy Spirit dwells within, he will help us to create works of beauty because God is a God of beauty. This indwelling will be reflected in our music, writings, farming, marketing because it is an extension of who and what we are and what empowers us.

A person can take beautiful lessons from nature that teach us much about God's artistry. God is the master artist, no one can be his equal, but we do work to reflect it in all of life, including art.

I saw Steve respond to my question and he cleared up my questions. Thanks, Steve.

A rabbit trail:
I agree that a lot of Christian fiction written today is at best cheesy, but it sells. One writer said that if you want to write a book that will sell, write about the Amish, never mind whether it reflects Amish culture. Or, take one popular painter whose works are everywhere. I used to love it until I learned that his personal lifestyle leaves much to be desired. I just learned recently that one of my favorite singers from childhood was an alcoholic. Oh, he had a wonderful voice - my husband suggested he may have been a smoker because he had a deep bass voice. Why am I saying this? I find it tragic when one uses Jesus to market their work but that there is a serious disconnect between their work and lifestyle. I find this sad. And then you have those who say they have FAITH in Jesus but produce works that do not reflect God's beauty. I do not know which artist is the most tragic...

I do wish Steve well in his pursuit...

Krispy,

So your work is autobiographical at heart but wrapped in fiction? Could be interesting. You going to use "Period" in your work! LOL Couldn't resist saying that! True or false? I had to say it! {{smile}}

Hmmm...so the Amish will factor in it? I know you used to make hay with them...You going to use any PA German in it? You better get it right if you do. Literal translation will not do...

As my relationship grows with the LORD I am finding myself being able to be more creative - using what I have and making objects of beauty. Would I win any prizes for any of my work? No. This is not my goal. My goal is to express delight with the works of my hands. As we see the world around us promoting ugliness it becomes paramount that Christians be creators of beauty in the midst of this ugliness.

Anyhow...got a target date set for publishing?

Thanks Ginny for your thoughtful answer. And I will offer here that I recognize that much of what represents "art" is shocking in both form and idealology. This association alone could very well lead to the conclusion that the arts are reprobate.

"Why are Christians afraid of self expression"

Steve, I agree with you that this is a broader issue. It really has little to do with the arts.

To avoid needing paragraphs of abstract philosophizing here let me connect Steve's question with some others::

Why do many Christians view their employment as a kind of necessary evil, and a distraction from their more important calling? Why do many Christians feel their spouses are holding them back from serving God? Why do many Christians feel the need to alter their behavior when at Church? Why do Christians withhold mercy from happy people, but are quick to lavish it upon miserable people? Why do people in general feel empty when things are going well, but find a sense of purpose when they or their friends are facing crisis? Why does a dog know how to be content in all circumstances more then a Christian? Why is my cat more honest with me about what she wants then most of my friends?

I think the answer to these questions can help explain why Christians, and people in general, are afraid of self expression.

MC