"A Biblical Worldview of Art"

by Renee Ramsburg - Original Oratory

How should a Christian look upon the arts? Is art just another way to bring worldliness and sin in the back door of Christianity? Or is it a wonderful gift that God has made and given so that we might create and enjoy this world?

On the course of this speech, we will attempt to understand the worldview that a Christian should have toward art. A worldview is the way that one looks at the people and the world around him.

First, what is art? 

There are various definitions of this word. People think different things about it. Edith Schaeffer says, "whatever it is, surely art involves creativity and originality. Whatever form art takes, it gives outward expression to what otherwise would remain locked in the mind, unshared."

We must also understand that art is not just painting or drawing. Art includes drama, poetry, writing, music, and even dancing. So if someone paints a picture and someone acts out a play, they are both illustrating and using art.

But where did art originate? 

Who was the first artist? God was the first artist. What did he create? Us! Humans of all different colors, shapes, genders and nationalities; animals; oceans; lands; stars; and even galaxies!

Everything is made by and for God.

Scenery such as majestic mountains, rolling hills, flat prairies, beautiful oceans and all its inhabitants - all these things and more illustrate the beauty of God's flawless artwork. It is clear that He is the greatest artist ever!

Because our God is a very artistic God, He shows His love for art in His Holy Word, the Bible. Sacred buildings of worship, such as the tabernacle (Exodus 25 through 28) and the temple (2 Chronicles 3:6) were not planned by men but by God Himself.

God gave Moses specific instructions concerning the tabernacle. He showed Moses the pattern of the tabernacle and he told the people of Israel how to decorate it, since there was lots of artwork there.

The temple, like the tabernacle, was not planned by men, but by God. And, just as the tabernacle, the temple was to be filled with various works of art. God wanted artwork in the tabernacle and the temple, His holy places.

But, was the artwork there for any specific use? No. Just one. For beauty! Even the Bible says that this art was for beauty and beauty alone, as 2 Chronicles 3:6 says, " And he [Solomon] garnished [or covered] the house with precious stones for beauty."

Therefore, since God created art and used art, we can come to the conclusion that art is Christian.

How, you ask, can art be Christian? 

Well, the very idea of creative endeavors and the creation of all different kinds of art flows out of a Christian worldview. And since we know that God loves art, shouldn't we also? We are made in His likeness; in the image of God, and we are to be like him as much as we are able.

We, as Christians, should have lifestyles full of art and creativity. As Edith Schaeffer so notably puts it, "This needs emphasis - a Christian, above all people, should live artistically, aesthetically, and creatively. We are supposed to be representing the Creator who is there, and whom we acknowledge to be there."

What a blessing that God has given us creative abilities so that we may produce works of art!

The abuse of art

But, because man has a sinful nature, art can be abused. Like The Biblical Worldview Curriculum article states, " [Art's]… proper use becomes a blessing from God for the benefit of men, while its misuse becomes a curse for the destruction of men."

So, because of this sinful nature, some art created by humans can either contain or cause sinning. So one must be careful when examining artwork: what worldview did the artist who created this piece of art have? You see, all people are biased in some way; that is, they have their own point of view - their own way of looking at the world. When an artist (Christian or non-Christian) creates a work of art, the worldview of that artist shows through his art.

So dealing with an artwork's content, I believe that there is just one limitation to art: sin. If a piece of artwork is displaying good as evil, or evil as good, it, as in Proverbs 17:15, is an abomination to the Lord. If a piece of artwork causes someone to sin (i.e. lust, adultery, etc.), it should not be displayed.

God has made everything good; it is only man's sin that art can, in some cases, be harmful.

Francis Schaeffer, in his book Art and the Bible, says that there are four basic standards by which to judge a work of art: (1) technical excellence, (2) validity, (3) intellectual content, which is the world view that shows through and (4) the integration of content and vehicle.

He also goes on to say that, "Art is not something we merely analyze or value for its intellectual content. It is something to be enjoyed." So as we should look carefully over art, we should also enjoy and create it, as God intended.

After all, all of God's creation is art. We are art, and everything around us is art. The trees, the leaves, the sky, the clouds, the grass, the list goes on and on. We can take interest in art by simply observing the wonders of God's handiwork. We can simply enjoy all the beautiful things that God has made. God made art for us to enjoy. And we can enjoy it.

So, then, as we conclude, how are we to look at art?

We are to look at art as an awesome thing that God has made so that we may create (like He creates) and enjoy the wonders of what God has put on this earth.

I will leave you with the words of Franky Schaeffer, from his book "Addicted to Mediocrity, "Produce, produce, produce! Create, create, create! Work, work, work! That is what we must do as Christians in the arts."

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