Posted by Dave Gilder 24th 2007 July
Categories: Uncategorized
ART AS HONEST ART OR AS A MEANS TO AN END
I wonder are we in danger of declaring our art to be more than what it is i.e straight forward honest art. As opposed to a public declaration of evangelism. Surely this is something that comes from declaring the word of God ie “faith comes by hearing” the declaration of the written word of God. This we call evangelism. Perhaps our evangelism comes more from our comments about our painting than the paintings themselves. Please understand I am not decrying the artistic merit of the paintings but just wary of the danger of using them to replace the written and spoken word of God. Should we not rather rejoice in the gift god has given us and do it to the best of our ability and at the same time “always be ready to give a reason (conversation) for the hope that is within us” Rather than an excuse for not proclaiming the word by suggesting our art speaks for us. By the way guys this post is put to make us think and not to offend I am just thinking aloud.
God bless you all
dave
July 24th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
The end of Dave’s message got cut off. This is it.
Should we not rather rejoice in the gift god has given us and do it to the best of our ability and at the same time “always be ready to give a reason (conversation) for the hope that is within us” Rather than an excuse for not proclaiming the word by suggesting our art speaks for us. By the way guys this post is put to make us think and not to offend I am just thinking aloud.
God bless you all
dave
July 25th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Hi, I think the question needs to be asked How do we learn? Some of us through the visual , word and practically. Or a combination of all three.
I believe the image in all its forms is absolutely necessary in our daily lives and in particular our worship and evangelism.
As an artist I need to create, it is part of the person God created and therefore see i my gift as something God desires me to use for evangelism. I do not think it replaces the word of God. But I do think it enhances peoples understanding of it.
Image has been fundamental in the life of the church for centuries. People require it to help them focus on God and others like myself see it as necessary to create as part of our worship and evangelism with others and for others.
I have produced many pieces of work that have depicted scripture and they help people in there undrestanding of it. The visual for some causes them to ask questions that somehow the word doesnt. It is necessary…not for all but for some of us.
I would rather see image as complimentary to the word of God as opposed to competing with it.
July 25th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Joseph Field wrote (But I accidentally almost deleted!)
I have to agree with Carol. When God created He ‘Saw’ that it was good. Art and Music cannot replace or substitute for God’s Word but can touch our senses and act as a portal - way in - to discovering Biblical truth. Personally I never aim to illustrate Biblical text - rather I look to it for inspiration. However I hope always that my art will trigger questions, challenge and inspire. Quite a number of preachers use art works as a means of exploring Christian truth with their congregations - I was much impressed with the approach of Revd. John Drury, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. See “Painting the Word”, John Drury, Yale University Press, 1999.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:11 am
If we are a Christian we automatically label our art /creative work Christian even though the subject may not be Christian.
Many times a poem or artwork can effect the viewer in ways NOT intended!!!
I had someone look at an artwork of mine and they saw something repugnant in the art even though there was nothing even remotely intended or even seen by most viewers.
Evangelist,gospel are words for messenger and message.
That is what we all are wether we hold up that badge or NOT.
The LORD gave the design of the tabernacle and temple to prophets and artists. They followed HIS instructions. The whole universe and beyond is a huge piece of creative communication.
The world is watching and looking and judging!!!
August 4th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
God is amazingly creative, a master at colour, texture, pattern and design. Since we are made in his image, we are made to use all the creativity he has given us. I can’t make a distinction between who I am when I paint a “Christian” picture and when I paint a flower or landscape.
I think pictures, and other art forms, can speak to people very individually and reveal aspects of God’s character and purposes. They are open to the same possible misuses as other ways of presenting the gospel. A sermon can be unscriptural, so can a picture presenting “biblical” ideas. If we are setting out to present scripture through our work, we should be very careful about checking against scripture and with whether the work will build up people’s faith.
Honesty in art is a tricky subject. Is an artist in a beauty spot who paints to sell to tourists any more or less honest than a Christian hoping to spread the gospel? Maybe we simply each have a responsibility to be honest in our work, as best we can. I paint about God, but I also speak about God and sometimes I use one to back up the other. Keep up the discussion. It’s a good topic.
Sue
September 5th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article , but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.