Recapturing the Arts for Christ

As a watercolour artist currently preparing for an art show, I thought I’d throw out a few ideas about the importance of the arts, in the hope that the church will recapture, and celebrate, the arts in all their forms. 

An artist told me that the Bible is 80% picture language.  We know that Jesus used vivid narrative pictures in His stories in order to help His listeners understand spiritual concepts. The arts speak a language that often expresses things in ways that words struggle to say.

We all have a calling given to us by God. I believe my artistic gift is a calling in my life through which I am to bring glory to God.  He has commissioned me to create, and so, just as Adam was given the responsibility to name each created animal, I reflect carefully on the titles I give each of my paintings.  As largely a landscape artist, my art seeks to recreate, in some form, the beauty of God. Through my paintings I hope to point to what God says is “good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).

God’s canvas is nature and it is nature I seek to capture in my watercolours.  Through colour, form, and composition, I try to emulate this perfection.  I often fail miserably, but occasionally I see a glimpse in my paintings of the perfection I am looking for.  It’s exciting when that happens.  All Christian artists whether they do it through music, dance, sculpture, or poetry, are trying to do the same thing.

Art can challenge the ideas of our society. Art can subtly poke holes in what society believes is normal, truthful, or politically correct.  Art can serve as a constant drip of water, eroding these false presumptions, slowly wearing away the edges of an idea and exposing the falsehoods beneath. Art can say things not always easily said out loud.

Art conveys personal experiences in a powerful language. Art can elicit strong reactions or forgotten memories.  Where words are often quickly forgotten, art memorializes the meaning of those words so that each time you go back to it, it speaks to you again in an already familiar way.  For example,  I can see Rembrandt’s “Prodigal Son” over and over again over decades, and experience it differently each time depending in my current life experiences.  A few months ago I was the guest speaker at Heritage College and Seminary’s, “Arts Week.”  As I spoke about facing shame from John 8 and 9, I painted a piece entitled, “Facing Christ.”  The spirit of God was present as I spoke to the students.  Some sat with heads hung low, others were shifting uneasily in their seats, and a couple of young women were weeping.  Art touches the heart.  It has proven itself as a healing tool often used by therapists. Could we not use it in church ministry to bring healing?  Could we not use music to heal, dramatic scripture readings to heal, paintings and banners in the foyer, auditorium, or prayer room, to heal?

My art causes me to pause, wonder, meditate, and gain perspective. It feels like a sabbatical, a place of rest where I am replenished.  As I paint I use a different part of my brain and my emotional reservoir gets filled.  Using different mediums provides a way for me to see the world the way God sees the world and helps me to speak to issues like pain, loss, injustice, peace, compassion. Art, whether it’s painting, or composing music, or dance, or poetry, or crafting, or drama, is a way to express God’s providence in our lives.  It helps us to make sense of our experiences in life. And so, “Vive les arts!”

I want to make room for the arts in our Thrive magazine. Please feel free to send me stories of how art, in all its forms, has shaped your life and ministry.  May our Fellowship family find joy in the art of creativity.  God, the Perfect Creator, said “it is good.”

Fall 2012 - Steve's paintings 1 Fall 2012 - Steve's paintings 2 Fall 2012 - Steve's paintings 3