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Philosophy of Spirituality in the arts |
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Toward a Philosophy of Spirituality in
the Arts
People often ask what we think about “Christian art.” Let me put it this way, having been created
in the image of God, we believe that human beings have an innate desire and
ability to reflect God’s nature as creator.
Human creativity and aesthetic longing may be seen therefore as an
indication of our calling both to uncover and to reveal the designer of the
grand design. While not all artists are
aware of it, their passion to create may well be seen as an impulse of creator
God trying to find a way to express himself through them.
Thus while we do not cater to Christians or specialize in
religiously themed art, it is our desire to put people into a context where
fine art has the ability to draw the soul to God.
Think of it like this: If a person is looking for someone to
install new copper pipe in their house, the first criteria they would employ in
selecting a plumber for the job would be an assessment - not of the plumber’s
religious profession - but of his job skills.
C.S. Lewis praised fellow author, Dorothy Sayers, saying, “She never
sank the artist and the entertainer in the evangelist”. Lewis was saying that Sayers’ ability as an
author (and “sub creator of worlds”) spoke for itself. Her writing did indeed reveal God’s nature as
creator - but only indirectly. This is
the essence of reflecting the image
of God. We believe that this should be
the goal of every artist. The artist is
not to be seen as the source of light;
but s/he does her best to reflect the image s/he sees.
Therefore, art that reflects the creator need not be crafted
by a Christian nor must it express Christian (or religious) themes. For
example, if someone (as a Christian or a non-Christian) were to paint the image
of a tree s/he would be reflecting (either well or poorly) God’s work of
creation. After the original the best we
can muster is a copy. As the poet said,
“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a
tree...” Any attempt on our part to emulate the original is a
second-generation rendition of and a tribute to God’s handiwork. Thus, the most
“worshipful” painting we can produce might be one which tells the truth so well
that it summons the viewer to the same kind of appreciation of beauty that is
called forth in the face of the original.
This is because, while God did not create “religious” trees, He made
them well; he made them beautiful. By using this particular example, we
do not mean to say that art in general must always traffic in beauty; it may,
as a prophetic voice engage in truth telling about dark or disturbing themes as
well. We thus conclude: Good art tells
the truth.
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