Notes From an Arts Teaching

Glenn on Arts & Ethics

Notes from an ARTS Teaching, JPUSA, Aug. 2002- by glenn kaiser

Acts 17.26 and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His offspring.' 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

A fact is that we can do art as a hobby, career or simply as a communications link between ourselves and our God. Another fact is that (see vs. 29) art can be idolatry and let's face it, in our culture often is! Let's not confuse God with art. They are not one and the same!

1Cor.4.7 For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

All good things (see James a bit further on here...) are simply gifts from God. Too many artist's get caught in a pride-insecurity syndrome where either their art is loved and appreciated or they feel and begin to believe THEY aren't! That's a trap. Art is at base, expression in various modes, be it sculpting, painting, dance, music, prose, poetry, other forms of writing, etc.. ALL expression isn't automatically sanctified now that we are followers of Christ. Not every offering is unacceptable, but neither are they all acceptable, especially in terms of being put on public display where the artist's responsiblity to Truth and really, to God and influence on others is a given. There is greater responsibility when art is shared, period.

1Tim.6.17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

God is no "fun cop"! HE gave us the possibility and even biblical commands to create and yes, create art, i.e., "Sing a new song" etc., etc.. Yet an artist is not her or his art! We must have a life in order to be able to share life with those who hear, view or otherwise interact with our work. We must create in the family of God, though impacting beyond the church walls, never fully separated from our brothers and sisters in Christ who are our first family in spiritual life. Christians in the arts are no less servants than any other Christians... and servants in as well as beyond the church assembly. There is great joy in simply creating and having fun with art as a hobby, etc.. But it can and I believe- due to what we know of Jesus and His call to share the Good News, disciple others and care for the poor- most of us can offer far more.

From "Tell", an Australian Christian magazine. The following was published in the Vol. 16, No. 3, Sept.-Nov., 1987 issue:

"Great artists have always been at the edge of growing awareness about what was happening in any society. They have been not just entertainers, but poets, painters, agitators, teachers and even prophets. It seems their gift to us is to help us see vividly what is taking place around us; to raise our awareness about social conditions, about our natural surroundings, to call for a response to human beauty and tragedy, to help us get inside the skin of others. Perhaps the greatest moments for artists are when they move us towards justice, mercy and compassion. Maybe then they are fulfilling ther real destiny as artists and human beings".

James 1.16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

This is a quote that seems to truly sum up much of what is important:

Francis Schaeffer- "No work of art is more important than the Christian's own life, and every Christian is called upon to be an artist in this sense. He may have no gift of writing, no gift of composing or singing, but each man has the gift of creativity in terms of the way he lives his life. In this sense, the Christian's life is to be an art work. In fact, there is a very real sense in which the Christian life itself should be our greatest work of art. Even for the great artist, the most crucial work of art is his life".

Rev.1.6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Rev.5.10 And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.

ALL believers are kings and priests to God. Artists are not exempt, and art cannot be the only way in which they serve. Such one-dimensional living cannot be balanced nor is it healty to the artist. They must be worshipers and family in Christ first.

Heb.2.4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

All believing artists have various spiritual gifts... art is a skill, never metioned as a spiritual gift in the Bible. Yet not all artists are evangelists, pastors, administrators, have words of wisdom or knowledge, etc.. It is up to the Holy Spirit more than to any of us what spiritual gifts a Christian artist may or may not have for Christian service. "... according to His own will" refers to the will of God, not us. Lack of understanding or submission to this scriptural fact is what often pits believers in the arts against church leaders and congregations who expect to wring a spiritual manifestation from an artist whom the Lord has neither gifted nor called. Conversely, artists often shirk and disobey the Spirit in doing what comes easy and most natural to them... self-fulfillment in artistic creativity. It's a compound fracture in many if not most churches.

Mt.25.21 & 23- His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.

At the end of the day, servanthood (the Greek word indeed is "slave") through which one is faithful in a very few things is what God apparently is looking for. It must be noted however, that this entire story Jesus told reflects a servant in a house not his own, caring for others being the focus, not himself. God gives gifts (talents, skills, spiritual gifts -all of these) for His glory, not ours, to serve Him and others, not self.

Hear a sermon portion of St. Augustine:

So, brethren, now let us sing Alleluia, not in the enjoyment of heavenly rest, but to sweeten our toil. Sing as travellers sing along the road: but keep on walking. Solace your toil by singing - do not yield to idleness. Sing but keep on walking. What do I mean by 'walking'? I mean, press on from good to better. The apostle says there are some who go from bad to worse. But if you press on, you keep on walking. Go forward then in virtue, in true faith and right conduct. Sing up - but keep on walking.

I (Glenn) can only add: AMEN!

Posted 08/31/02