Comments on: How does your view of Christianity and the arts agree or disagree with mine?

By: ORMUS

ORMUS — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:35:59 +0000

"Who so itchith to philosophy,must set to work by putting all things to doubt"
Giordiano Bruno

Art is when the universe works though you, not when you force it for others
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By: aural margin

aural margin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:25:59 +0000

I hear what you’re saying; however, perhaps the frustration you are experiencing is rooted in personal taste and differences between trained vs. untrained.

Determining the "quality" of a creative product is a very subjective experience—do you mean "degree of technical skill" or "ingeniousness" or "good intent?" The same holds true for establishing its degree of "creativity."

An arts ministry does not exist to impress and compete and get a good review in the New Yorker; it ideally encourages the creative gifts of those who participate, and fosters individual and community growth. "They" don’t expect your appreciation; that’s not the point. It’s a different paradigm than that of the professional or aspiring professional who throws their hat in the commercial and critical ring.

Nothing wrong with what you are doing, though—you should develop your art through the means most expedient to you.

An artist ideally pursues and manifests "their thing" with little regard to acceptance by any assumed audience—to "tailor" or purge one’s expression in order to promote one’s career veers into commercial hire. This is why "professional" artists often end up producing craft rather than art, while "amateurs," unfettered by critical concerns and free to express themselves, can produce things of pure inspiration and artistic integrity, even while lacking in standardized, technical "skills."
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EDIT: yeah ormus you tell the truth

EDIT 2: Are you feeling guilty for not participating in faith-based programming, because you prefer to express yourself in a personal and intimate way, which appears incongruent with the "message" or "outreach" goals of a religious organization? If so, you are not alone in this and should feel confident that an integrated faith finds expression in creation, even if the endeavor is not labeled "religious."

Google some of these creative artists and intellectuals: Gerald Manley Hopkins; CS Lewis; Philip Lamantia; Joseph Cornell; Marc Chagall; Hans Arp; Thomas Merton………..
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By: mikewhite1429

mikewhite1429 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:18:59 +0000

You are not morally wrong. Good art is good art regardless of where it comes from. We are told to be water in the desert a.k.a. the non believer group. God has given you your eye for good art for a reason. If given the opportunity, witness. But don't go in telling people they're: "GONNA BURN IN HELL UNLESS YOU ACCEPT JESUS RIGHT NOW!". Be cool about it. God will let you know who to witness to and how to go about it, and He will also make the proper time and place. Don't feel bad if the Christian art that you see isn't good.
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By: numbnuts222

numbnuts222 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:03:59 +0000

I’m a commercial artist, though not religious, I found religious art form Gothic churches to Greek icon painting to the Renaissance painting incredibly inspiring. It’s not the themes, but what the artist does with them.
I remember a sculptor talking about his work on the figure of Joseph, he saw him as a man’s man, standing beside Mary even though he knew her child wasn’t his. He saw something that he could empathize with and bring out in his work.

It’s the same with any work you do whether religious or not, if you have a feeling you can bring something to the subject, then its worth doing in both secular or religious subjects.
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By: Soyana

Soyana — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:24:59 +0000

Morally wrong? Certainly not! If Christians hide in corners with other Christians, nothing would ever happen. Jesus specifically sent His disciples out to all corners of the globe.

I wish faith-based projects of all kinds were up to the standards of their secular peers in terms of quality and creativity. Christian colleges are another area that could use some work in terms of academic rigor. It’s definitely a thing to work on.

I’m not sure what you mean by "above reproach," but so long as the projects you do line up with basic morality (no pornographic images, to name an extreme example) there’s no reason why you should be reproached.

Best wishes!
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By: Lion of Judah

Lion of Judah — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:42:59 +0000

Actually, what I think is the idea you just gave me.
You are comparing the works of other faith based Christian Arts to be of poor quality and lack creativity, well , you may perhaps be right about that.
My not being an Art Critic.
However, i wonder, what would happen, if you brought your own creativity in Art and apply it in a faith based Christian centered way ?

I mean really, If Christian Arts/ faith based art is lacking in creativity, then be creative with it.
Take a piece of art an apply your creativity an apply it from a Christian perspective.
Now, does not not sound like a good idea ?
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By: honesty hurts

honesty hurts — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:57:59 +0000

god has left it up to us to decide which path we will take..if you follow gods path dont you believe that the return frfom him will be far greater than any money or fame you could get from earthly possesions or fame by following the other path,,also who said you cant be creative and succesfull by being a christian artist,,change the way people see christian art ,,stop being a follower and be a genious,,good luck
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By: Snow Globe

Snow Globe — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:14:59 +0000

I agree with you. In the past, Christians were the leaders in all the arts, but somewhere along the path, it became almost pretentious and unspiritual to promote excellence in the arts. Christians need to reclaim their place in the arts world. As it is, arts within the church are just entertainment and uncreative spiritual lessons, while the arts in the secular world go downhill steadily, reflecting a miserable world-view.
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By: Esther

Esther — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:36:59 +0000

No I don’t. I feel the same way about Christian books or Christian movies. The lack of quality in writing or acting or script, or whatever, is always a disappointment. It’s hard to handle the subject without being overly dramatic, heavy handed, preachy, etc. You have to strike the right balance. For instance, the movie "Facing the Giants" is, at last, the one movie I can say I thought portrayed Christians correctly, as leaning on God for all things, and it was well done in every way.

I understand what you are saying.
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By: A Former Pastor

A Former Pastor — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:51:59 +0000

Good! I am impressed! Keep it up!
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