Art & Ethics II

Glenn on Arts & Ethics

All of us begin with a basic lack of knowledge, understanding and experience as to how to create truly great art. While there are certainly those with amazing creative gifts that seem from their first offerings to entrall those hearing or viewing our work, we all pretty much begin at the same place.

I would beg the artist reading this to think, speak and act with patience, grace and real love, encouraging younger artists when at all possible. The posture of arrogance, snobbery and aloofness in an artist does nothing to reflect Christ to others, regardless of the brilliance and depth of the artwork!

Though God's Word is clear about bringing "diseased offerings" (see Malachi) and what I often refer to as "leftovers" rather than our best before the Lord, I believe Francis Schaeffer wrote a most profound thing in his classic "Art and The Bible". He made the statement that perhaps the greatest work of art is a truly Christian life. Sadly, it is this sort of mediocrity some believers would rather gloss over than mediocre art. But what about thoughtless, haphazardly thrown-together work? What about the core issue of ethics, the Christian's motives and sense of conscience regarding their work? How might we process this in light of crass commercialism which hardly reflects a Christ-like approach to artistry?

I suppose a key point is whether or not the artist, agent, recording exec., etc., KNOWS their true motive is to do shoddy work purely for financial gain or some reason other than as an expressive offering in service to God's glory and man's benefit.

Doing all we do for the glory of God, in view of Paul's comments (i.e., 'I do ALL THINGS for the sake of the gospel") is anything but art for art's sake. Neither is such merely "pedestrian" or utilitarian.

An honest offering done in biblical fashion (glorifying God in all we do and in some sense as a reflection of the Lord) seems clearly to be the very ethic of Jesus Himself as He served the Father and others on this earth. Do we have any other notion as to how He would work had He come as an artist?

A genuine ethical problem arises if one defrauds God and others in knowingly sluffing off passion and technique appropriate to the genre and particular work while pretending otherwise. Have any believers ever done this? I think we would agree some certainly have. And some of them are you and I! But make no mistake- no style or genre is hardwired as automatically sinful or automatically righteous. No offering is automatically sanctified and acceptable simply on the basis of our receiving grace for salvation.

A born-again, Spirit-filled individual still has an ability to make mistakes and fully sinful choices with regard to ethics and art, just as in all areas of life. Doing what we do with prayer, respect of the Scriptures, linked with a nurturing fellowship of godly and mature believers with whom we are actively accountable, with careful study and practice of our craft and discipline are all parts of the foundation believers need to produce truly great lives AND art.

Further, no Christian artist whose life remains spiritually shallow or a continual shambles can redeem themselves by artistic genius. May God and His people help us grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. May they also stimulate and encourage our artistic journey toward excellence!

Posted 02/08/02