Art and the Church
Fri, 2010-02-26 11:07 — David Baker
Have you noticed the increasing prevalence of “Art Ministries” in the church? It seems that art is almost becoming a ministry we can expect to have —along with the coffee shop, of course. Since the beginning, there’s been a combustible relationship between the church and art. (I’m not sure about the church and coffee; surely our resident historians could enlighten me.) Art is powerful, and when it imposes itself on the church there’s always a point that leads to idolatry. There’s always a longing in the human heart to worship the created things rather than the creator...
At this point it’s a good time to disclose that I am, in fact, an artist, and that I love good coffee (and therapeutic doses of even the bad stuff). I’ve painted over 60 paintings in the past four years, and was on my way to Ireland to work in art ministry. But as an artist, I have grave concerns over the place the arts are taking in the church.
So what’s my beef? I think there’s a train of thought in the church that art can somehow take us to a higher plane of spirituality, or even bring us closer to God. It’s as if new revelation is being found in postmodern pieces. The artist often gives no explanation for the work, or the meaning is an evolving thing. The artist receives glory as people wonder what deep insight into the mind of God brought him to create such a mysterious or deep work of art.
Many in the church are adopting the religion of the culture. That religion is Art, and the artist is the shaman, the mystic. The teachers and critics are the priests. Dr. Gene Edward Veith stated it well in his book State of the Arts.
The “art world” becomes a privileged inner circle, possessing secret knowledge from which the non-elect are excluded. As in the mystery religions of old, membership in the inner world requires initiation. The priests of the art world would be the teachers and critics who introduce their congregations to the arcane language and secret knowledge from which the non-elect are excluded. These clergy also preserve the relics of the departed saints and construct elaborate theologies of the arts, which they defend with sectarian zeal and enforce with inquisitorial zeal.In addition to the professional clergy are the laity who, sometimes motivated by guilt and a vague sense of obligation, give substantial offerings to the “arts.” Dressed up in their best clothes, they make up the congregation of the concert hall or the theater and find the key to a richer, more meaningful life in pursuing aesthetic pleasure. (137-138)
So how can artists be artists and Christians who use their gifts without sinning, especially in this day when art ministry is such a popular concept? I think we need to realize that our gifts are from God, but that they are not to replace or compete in any way with the ministry of the Word. We should place ourselves in submission under the authority of the Word of God and limit what we may be led to do with the artwork we create. We must be constantly vigilant, and aware that the second commandment is there for a reason.
God has chosen to reveal Himself in His Word. The canon of Scripture is closed. We are brought no closer to God than when we believe in Jesus Christ by faith. Jesus, not the artist, is the intermediary between God and man. God will not share His glory with anyone.
Artists are given their gifts by God. We should always acknowledge that. We should not strive to divert glory to ourselves, but instead we should use our art to glorify God, our Creator. We should be careful to ask God to show us when we are sinning by seeking to draw glory to ourselves.
It is fine to be a humble craftsman who makes work like a furniture maker or carpenter. It is good to create a thing of beauty to be enjoyed by people. But a beautiful painting that reflects God’s creation should also discipline myself under him. It should point to God’s glory and majesty, not to my supposed deep insight into reality. We should not create work that we expect others to interpret or that contains in it mystical, unknowable meaning. God is the only unsearchable and unknowable.
Comments
I don't understand how art
I don't understand how art could NOT be mystical, unknowable and open to various interpretations. Without these qualities it is reduced to propaganda or mere decoration and it is no longer art.
I agree that artists must always be on guard against pride and self-glory. However, if we are to glorify God with our art, it would only make sense that it would reflect his character - which is unsearchable and unknowable. Art should be full of mystery. Don't forget that we are image-bearers of God. He is the ulitmate artist and the earth is his handiwork declaring his glory and displaying his knowledge (Ps.19). As artists made in the image of God, we should look at God's creation and strive to emulate his creative spirit. Hopefully, our art will begin to approach the beauty, wonder, and mystery found in nature and in doing so further testify to God's glory. Yes, the temptation will always be there to glorify ourselves but a proper response is not to denigrate our practice as artists but rather, as you say, to glorify him. By hollowing out the unsearchable and unknowable from our art, we cheapen our gift and fail to fully glorify God.
In glorifying God we testify to certain attributes of God. As artists we should testify to God's creativity and his unsearchable and unknowable character. For this reason artists are important to any church. Others are called to testify to other characteristics of God - for an example a scientist may be called to testify to God's intelligence. A soldier may be called to testify to God's justice. The threat of pride is always there whether or not you're an artist. Yes, art has been idolized, but so hasn't science, the military, church leaders etc. I agree with you and I'm happy that you articulated the danger of idolizing art in our current culture. However, let's not throw the baby out with the bath water and adopt a puerile view of art.
Anonymous (please use your
Anonymous (please use your name in the future),
Unsearchability and unknowability are indeed attributes of God, and I believe David recognizes this. However, he is fighting against postmodern artistic notions of nebulosity, relativism, and the belief that we can't know anything, none of which represent God's character.
An important thing for us to think about is the lack of Scriptural references to the visual arts. When someone creates any sort of image in Scripture that is not directly commanded by God, it is almost always idolatry. This is not even the case with music, which is an art form that we can idolize, but is primarily used in Scripture as a way to glorify God.
Can anybody think of passages that speak explicitly to the use of visual arts (purely aesthetic, non-utilitarian) for the glorification of God?
Sir, You must use a variation
Sir,
You must use a variation of you real name (e.g. John Doe, JohnD, JDoe, etc).
John Calvin, Insititutes
John Calvin, Insititutes I.XI.12 (tr. Battles): "And yet I am not gripped by the superstition of thinking absolutely no images permissible. But because sculpture and painting are gifts of God, I seek a pure and legitimate use of each, lest those things which the Lord has conferred upon us for this glory and our good be not only polluted by perverse misuse but also turned to our destruction.... Therefore it remains that only those things are to be sculptured or painted which the eyes are capable of seeing.... Within this class some are histories and events, some are images and forms of bodies without any depicting of past events. The former have some use in teaching or admonition; as for the latter, I do not see what they can afford other than pleasure."
Julie Spraggon, Puritan Iconoclasm during the English Civil War (Boydell Press, 2003) p. 16: "Yet even Calvinists did not generally object to art per se, but only that which represented religious themes, especially when sited within places of religious worship. Most godly writers on the subject were clear that images had no place in churches, but that there was no general prohibition on them elsewhere, and that there was no harm in their civil use. Babington, for instance, saw the 'Turkish' (Islamic) hostility to naturalistic art in all walks of life as 'too superstitious'. [Note the same adjective as Calvin's above.] The address to Queen Elizabeth expressed the belief that images 'in chambers' were matters of indifference. Perkins who was absolute in his correlation of idols and religious images, and on the unlawfulness of both, still acknowledged the harmlessness of civil images, pointing out that skills in the arts of painting and engraving were gifts of God. [Again, cf. Calvin.] Historical paintings, even biblical scenes were acceptable, as too were images of Christ in human form, on the strict understanding that these were not to be used for worship or kept in churches. [E.g., depictions of Jesus in children's books.]"
Francis Schaeffer, Art & the Bible (IVP, 1973), pp. 11ff., surveys the use of art in the Bible from the tabernacle (Exodus 25:9, 18, 31-33, 40), to the priestly garments (Ex. 28:33), the temple (1 Chron. 28:11-12, 19; 2 Chron. 3:6, 7, 10, 16-17), and Solomon's bronze oxen (2 Chron. 4; cf. 1 Kings 7:29), up to (interestingly) "Jesus' Use of Art," when He cited Moses' brass serpent in John 3:14-15 (p. 20).
Concerning the temple in 2 Chronicles, Schaeffer writes, "Notice this carefully: The temple was covered with precious stones for beauty. There was no pragmatic reason for the precious stones" (p. 15). Concerning the pillars, he says, "Here are two free-standing columns. They supported no architectural weight and had no utilitarian engineering significance" (p. 16).
(I'm tempted to argue that beauty is utilitarian.)
Schaeffer also defends the use of drama (p. 28), which the Puritans famously outlawed when they came to power in England in 1642 (cf. William Prynne, Histriomastix, 1633)--normally included as an instance of iconoclasm (see Michael O'Connell, The Idolatrous Eye: Iconoclasm and Theater in Early Modern England [Oxford, 2000]).
As Schaeffer says in conclusion (p. 28), "It is not that every use of any of these art forms is automatically right, but that they are not wrong per se."
One question I would pose, if all imagery is forbidden by the Second Commandment, is whether, e.g., the illustrations on bulletin covers or the tapestries of magi hung in sanctuaries for decoration at Christmastide violate the Second Commandment.
Another question I've often wanted answered is whether the works of abstract expressionism (e.g., Rothko) violate that commandment, considering they aren't representational.
David L., I agree with your
David L.,
I agree with your temptation to argue that beauty is utilitarian. One area this is very evident is architecture. Men are affected by the buildings they live and work in, from soaring Cathedrals to drab office buildings with cubicles and homogenized sameness. Artwork, too, is designed to bring joy through beauty, or provoke thought through the subject matter.
As a Christian I feel I have the responsibility to be honest with my work. One of the points that should have been more clarified in my original post is that if I create a non-representational piece, I should interpret it. If it means nothing, but is simply beautiful (or ugly), then I should say so. I should not fall into the culture's game by forcing people to ask "Oh artist, what does it mean?" The artist then becomes unsearchable and unknowable and wields a certain power not meant for man. All glory should go to God.
As for Rothko and other non-representational abstract expressionism, I believe each piece should be judged for what it is and what the artist meant. It is difficult to separate art from the artist. We do what we are; we do what we believe.
- David
Dear Anonymous, I believe we
Dear Anonymous,
I believe we should absolutely strive for a "puerile" view of art. Even Picasso, a non-Christian, man came close when he said "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." But that doesn't quite get there either. We need child-like faith as artists. We must place our artistic gifts in submission under the Lord Jesus Christ as we place ourselves there too. In submission to Him you will find contentment in your your work and your life.
When you submit yourself to Jesus Christ you begin to ask if you should do something just because you can. You may be able to be a great opera singer, but is that what God want's for You? You may be able to be an author who is acclaimed and who wins a Pulitzer prize, but is that what God wants for you? He may want those things for you, but you must first submit wholly to Him and let Him use you as His vessel.
I could create art that is very mysterious and perhaps very deep; but, is that what God want's for me? Or should I be more concerned about His glory than mine? As a disciple of Jesus Christ I joyfully give it to Him for His use and His use always brings glory to God.
When we strive for our fame or greatnes we strive in vain. I urge you to strive for His fame and His greatness in your life and your art. The rest is a "striving after wind."
In1935 Cynthia Maus put
In1935 Cynthia Maus put together an anthology which covered writings, poetry, storytelling and paintings meant as a teaching manual for the educational departments of the Church. The book is entitled, "Christ and the Fine Arts." It is well worth reading, that is if you can find it in the archives of the Church. I found it in our local library which is in a very small villiage in the middle of the prairie.
It has been some time since I read Scheafer's book, mentioned in these articles, but I got the impression when I read it that he was not fond of Sunday School art, in other words, I thought he did not fully understand the importance of simplicity in learning, whereas, his wife did in her book "Hidden Art." The differences in approach I found interesting.
CIVA (Christians in Visual Arts) is an organization that has grown and expanded over a 30 year period of time, whose interests has been the restoration of the arts to the Church and I have found it helpful to read their newsletter, just to know that there are artists out there that do see the importance of artistic expression in the Church. However, to impliment this is not an easy task.
Some years ago I attended a conference where an Anglican priest talked a great deal about the importance of Icons in teaching the Bible, particularly before the printing presses. This gave me much food for thought. It seems that the only on going practice of God ordained Iconists are found in Ukranian Othodox Church. So Artistic Expression is alive, but often hidden in the treasures of the Church.
I am a landscape and floral painter. At present I am interested in the Symbology of the Church, particularly Floral Symbology. I have not found any great appreciation of it, but for me it has been a very interesting study. I did try to share my thoughts within the Church, but found a good percentage of Christian people in the Church I am attending are really not interested in the development of legends, stories, icons, symbols and so forth found in the history of the Church.
As to Exodus, I found it to be the handbook of Artistic Expression and Gifting.
One should also reflect on Dorcus in the Book of Acts. All this falls under the Gifts of Helps in the New Testament. As to idolatry, anything can be classed as idolatry if you worship the gift rather than the Giver of Gifts, God, himself.
One book I found inspiring in my youth was Elizabeth O'Conner's, "Eighth Day of Creation." It is well worth the read, even today.
To me, to glorify God means don't waste your God given gifts. Don't bury your talents.
What most people do not realize is that the Artists of the Church often carry the prophetic voice and are often found to be the Visionaries of the Church.
Anonymous, I have a 1938
Anonymous, I have a 1938 edition of the Maus book, but I haven't made time to read it. It was a thrift store find! I'll take a look over the summer.
I'm not a member of CIVA, nor do I have any experience with them. I'm currently pursuing the arts in a way not related to the church, but simply as a man who is a Christian, and who is an artist. I'm involved in a local gallery which is run by a family of Jewish descent. I have enjoyed getting to know them and to tell them of the Hope that is within me. The father is fascinated that I'm attempting to learn Hebrew. People from our church came to a show they hosted for me and the turnout surpassed, by far, any show they'd ever had. So, people in my church are very supportive and wonderful! The gallery owners are still scratching their heads when it comes to me and my church.
I agree that it is glorifying to God to use your talents, but they must be used for His glory. Sometimes we must die for a season to our talents, sometimes awaken to them. We are God's and anything that He commands is a joy. It isn't the gift, but the Giver who is important.
I won't disagree that God's children who are artists may also be given prophetic gifts. I'm just not sure if they are related to one another. When we get mystical about the arts we can go astray. If anything we do or say is contrary to the Word of God we err and our "prophecy" is an abomination. God's word given through preaching is and will always remain the primary mode of delivery.
Over the weekend, I had time
Over the weekend, I had time to reflect on my remarks on that which glorifies God. Perhaps, I spoke to quickly. This is a travelogue through my thoughts. I think the first thing that glorifies God is our love, the first commandment, "to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul and mind." The second is our expression of that love - Love your neighbor. There are other things that glorify, like obedience, our various giftings, compassion, empathy, wisdom, reverence, etc. "Out of reverence for God, Nehemiah built the walls." Our actions reveal often whats in our heart. Godly conduct is also that which glorifies God and relates to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
I am not an artist given to the prophetic side of art, but, I think it important to
to sow seeds of joy, kindness, and inspiration into the lives that do not feel loved or cherished. My art often becomes the gift to bring that sunshine.
On the other hand, I have a friend who diffinently speaks the prophetic through her art.
Like music which is classified as a universal language, so is art. On the weekend I was sitting with a lovely Chinese girl who just arrived from China and spoke very little English. Then it came to me to draw pictures. We spent the afternoon, drawing pictures which helped in teaching her English. Then she made me a beautiful paper lilly. That which glorifies God, I think, is recognizing that standing before you is an extra ordinary moment in time when you can touch the life of another with small touches of His love and grace. A moment that may never come again. To glorify God, then, is to respond to the opportunities He gives us to share the faith.
As to dieing to our talents. My Aunt Marion studied opera and she dreamed of going to Juliad (sp), but when she came to Jesus many things changed. She was offered to prominent position in an opera company, but they wanted her to preform on Sunday, which was something she did not believe in. Her music was channeled into her church work. Now, when I think of it, a woman with a fantastic gift, chose a life, where only a few would remember her. Such are the mysteries of God.
Over the weekend, I had time
Over the weekend, I had time to reflect on my remarks on that which glorifies God. Perhaps, I spoke to quickly. This is a travelogue through my thoughts. I think the first thing that glorifies God is our love, the first commandment, "to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul and mind." The second is our expression of that love - Love your neighbor. There are other things that glorify, like obedience, our various giftings, compassion, empathy, wisdom, reverence, etc. "Out of reverence for God, Nehemiah built the walls." Our actions reveal often whats in our heart. Godly conduct is also that which glorifies God and relates to the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
I am not an artist given to the prophetic side of art, but, I think it important to
to sow seeds of joy, kindness, and inspiration into the lives that do not feel loved or cherished. My art often becomes the gift to bring that sunshine.
On the other hand, I have a friend who diffinently speaks the prophetic through her art.
Like music which is classified as a universal language, so is art. On the weekend I was sitting with a lovely Chinese girl who just arrived from China and spoke very little English. Then it came to me to draw pictures. We spent the afternoon, drawing pictures which helped in teaching her English. Then she made me a beautiful paper lilly. That which glorifies God, I think, is recognizing that standing before you is an extra ordinary moment in time when you can touch the life of another with small touches of His love and grace. A moment that may never come again. To glorify God, then, is to respond to the opportunities He gives us to share the faith.
As to dieing to our talents. My Aunt Marion studied opera and she dreamed of going to Juliad (sp), but when she came to Jesus many things changed. She was offered to prominent position in an opera company, but they wanted her to preform on Sunday, which was something she did not believe in. Her music was channeled into her church work. Now, when I think of it, a woman with a fantastic gift, chose a life, where only a few would remember her. Such are the mysteries of God.
Dear Anonymous, You are right
Dear Anonymous,
You are right on with the commandments to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said that if we love Him we will keep His commandments. This glorifies God.
I am very careful about those who would say their art is "prophetic". Do you know what they mean by this? Are they saying that God speaks extra-biblically through them and/or their art? If so, they must be rebuked. The canon of scriptures is closed. God has not started to now reveal himself through deep mysteries expressed through art. Art can, and should, point to truths about God, but when we start claiming to speak for Him, we err. What we say better agree with His revealed word or we are in a most dangerous place and teetering over the abyss. Test the spirits.
Your Aunt Marion lay down her life for the Lord. It is what we all must do. She was obedient and it sounds like she did not compromise. These aren't mysteries of God but a picture of Godly, biblical obedience.
Having made the comment on
Having made the comment on prophecy in art, I have taken any time to analize it. I was told that art could be prophetic by an Anglican Priest, but only once have I come across a lady that did prophetic art, or what I deemed so. Her art carried a number of different themes, one focussing on our lack of communication in todays' world. She seemed to be a themematic kind of painter addressing the issues of the day and what should be corrected in society and our world. I would say she really was a prophet or our day. Other than that I have not explored the area. I am an artist and I often give my paintings away to those who need encouragement. I also teach children how to paint and young adults, etc. It came about because I spent alot of time in prayer before launching myself to help others learn a craft that they could enjoy. I believe we should use our God given gifts to help others. I have diffinent standards. One is that I do not charge very often. It is a gift, even down to the teaching. Must go, my time is running out.
Tabitha, When we talk about
Tabitha, When we talk about "prophetic" we need to be sure we define what we are talking about: Are we talking about an artist receiving new words or thoughts directly from God, like Isaiah or Elijah or any other Old Testament prophet? If so we have a problem.
Or are talking about someone making commentary that is not declared by them to be directly from God? Are they simply pointing to things in the culture that are issues and that need addressed by the church? Are they pointing to truths about God that are all consistent with scripture? If so, while I hesitate to use the word "prophetic," I agree that their work can be thought provoking and call people to action. It must be interpreted by the artist and they must be clear about the meaning of their work; none of this "It means whatever you want it to mean" or "what do you think it means" or "The meaning changes."
It is when an artist claims to be bringing new directives or doctrine or words from God that they are in danger. The artists who maintain a mystical, shaman-like aura about their art and themselves are not being honest. They're either fooling others, themselves, or both. These "mystics" simply want worship and worship is reserved for God Almighty.
I am happy that you use your gifts for God's glory and for the edification of people made in His image. Remember that must be cautious not to elevate our work to where it should not be. Only then can we be honest and true and simple about our work and glorify the One who gave us the gift. We must discipline these gifts and place them in submission to the kingdom of God. No rogue or "fantastical spirits" should be wandering the kingdom.
Warmly,
David
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