Art
As stated earlier, for the purpose of clear communication, I am defining art as: the active expression of one's philosophy through purposefully creative means (whether visual, verbal, or auditory).(1)
In that sense art can be produced by any number of means, for example: a painting, sculpture, or piece of architecture (visual); written prose or poetry (verbal); arranged music (auditory).
And often combinations of any of these three will create great forms of art as well: websites and other forms of graphic design tend to combine verbal and visual; songs with lyrics or even great speeches and sermons combine verbal and auditory; dancing and other art forms, such as (I'll go ahead and say it) marching bands (or drum and bugle corps) or the popular production, STOMP, combine visual and auditory. And then things like plays and movies tend to combine all three.
There is a vast amount of variety that God has allowed us in producing art. But the goal of all art, of course, must be to glorify God:
In that sense art can be produced by any number of means, for example: a painting, sculpture, or piece of architecture (visual); written prose or poetry (verbal); arranged music (auditory).
And often combinations of any of these three will create great forms of art as well: websites and other forms of graphic design tend to combine verbal and visual; songs with lyrics or even great speeches and sermons combine verbal and auditory; dancing and other art forms, such as (I'll go ahead and say it) marching bands (or drum and bugle corps) or the popular production, STOMP, combine visual and auditory. And then things like plays and movies tend to combine all three.
There is a vast amount of variety that God has allowed us in producing art. But the goal of all art, of course, must be to glorify God:
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
(Rom. 11:36)
Although many wouldn't know it today (through the complex history of American Christian "fundamentalism" and its impact on the American church), art is something with which the Bible is very concerned and has much to say.
With respect to visual art, all of creation is called the handiwork of God, beautifully communicating Himself and His will (Ps. 19:1-6, 139:14; Rom. 1:19-20). Likewise, regarding verbal art, the Bible itself is a masterful work contained in prose and poetry, creatively communicating God's own thoughts (Ps. 19:7-14, 119:103). And concerning auditory art, Scripture mentions music as something good even from the early chapters of Genesis, "He [Jubal] was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe" (Gen. 4:21)(2); and the Bible repeatedly sets forth music as a glorious, creative means to bring praise to God (Ps. 92:1, 3, 101:1; 1 Chr. 15:16, 22).
The Israelites played music and sang songs to the Lord after His saving work in the exodus (Ex. 15:20-21). The Lord Himself called for skilled craftsman (craftsman-artists) in making the beautiful specifications and adornments for the tabernacle (Ex. 36:2, 8, 38:22-23). David played music to alleviate Saul's distress invoked by an evil spirit (1 Sam. 16:23). Dancing too (to the surprise of many, I'm sure) was not only an art but also an act of worship (Ex. 15:20; 1 Sam. 18:6; 2 Sam. 6:14; Ps. 30:11, 87:7, 149:3, 150:4)! And finally, (regardless of one's eschatological view) one of the judgments on the great city of Bablyon is when God takes away art from its city: "And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more" (Rev. 18:22).
The music and instruments and the crafts of art are all taken away as a judgment. While historically art used to be an important aspect to the Christian church even up through the Reformation, it seems in modern day America it has become something we've almost completely lost as part of our Christian culture. Consequently (to our own shame), we've been lagging far behind the world in the realm of the arts rather than transforming the culture of the world through our production of Christ's redemptive works in the various art forms.
However, since Christ did redeem us and has given us the charge to disciple the nations through the power of the gospel, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded (including doing all things to the glory of God - 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17), then part of our mandate in transforming society and the world is transforming the way in which society expresses itself through art!
Christians, then, must continue to get rid of the unbiblical tradition (see Mk. 7:8-9) of avoiding culture - and instead transform it through the redeeming power of Christ (Mt. 28:18-20; cf. Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; Eph. 5:6-14). This is truly part of our call in the great commission; and it includes the redemption and transformation of art in all of its forms (Phil. 4:8)!
(1) In producing art - especially depending on what form of art it is - it is usually difficult to express all that is encompassed in one's philosophy of life. Generally art, no matter what form it takes, is expressing one or two aspects of a particular philosophy rather than the full-orbed view.
(2) I realize some will point out that this text is in the "evil descendant" line of Cain. But that doesn't mean the Bible is here discouraging the things that God through His common grace allowed even these evil men to accomplish. By this same argumentation raising livestock and using instruments of bronze and iron should be discouraged as well (Gen. 4:20, 22).
(2) I realize some will point out that this text is in the "evil descendant" line of Cain. But that doesn't mean the Bible is here discouraging the things that God through His common grace allowed even these evil men to accomplish. By this same argumentation raising livestock and using instruments of bronze and iron should be discouraged as well (Gen. 4:20, 22).