The Hidden Call of Art

 

A week ago, I posted about the hidden dangers of art. And yes, there are spiritual dangers to the art, which all are variations of not denying self as Christ told us to (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). But is that the only side of the coin?

One thing to keep in mind is that artistic/creative talent is something that originates from God. Why was I able to teach myself piano and guitar but completely lacking in athletics? God's choice. Some state that everybody is born with creativity but education and employment and other things rob it. That may be true, but again God is sovereign on who gets to keep their talents and who doesn't.

But why did God give us talents? Yes, if God gives us talents, He has a purpose for it, and in the end it is for His glory, not ours. 

Are you familiar with Bezalel the son of Uri and Aholiab the son of Ahissamach? They were artists that God appointed to make the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Ex. 31:1-11). The former was said to be filled with the Spirit of God, and both were given wisdom. Yes, God uses artists.

Singers and musicians also had a part in a lot of the history. Chenaniah and Asaph were involved in David's days. The singers were mentioned with the Levites and other assistants of the priests in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Art and music are connected with worship. Examples include the pair of paintings I have included in this blog: Adoration of the Lamb by Jan van Eyck (at the top of today's blog) and The Exaltation of the Cross by Adam Eisheimer (left). 

However, it has other purposes as well. Colossians 3:16 talks about teaching and exhorting with  psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. How often does Christian music take up that challenge? Likewise, we sing to the Lord, but do we sing to each other to comfort and encourage?

Now, some may think I'm trying to say that everything a Christian artist/musician  does needs to be done for Christians or clearly evangelistic. Nope. Not true. Some Christians may lend their talent to a secular employer. A believer may be an instrumentalist for a mainstream band. The important thing, though, is to realize to Whom each artist (and non-artist) will give an account to, and to realize who deserves the glory.

How are you glorifying God in your daily activities? And how can you encourage others (artists and non-artists) in their ministries?

ENTERTAINMENT VS. PROPOGANDA

 Anybody else here familiar with the 1982 Oscar nominated "Missing" starring Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek? 

For those who aren't, the story takes place during the Chilean coup of 1973 and the US' involvement. It focuses on a man who disappears and the efforts of his father (Lemmon) and wife (Spacek) to find him. 

SPOILER ALERT. At the end of the movie, they find the body of that individual. The father tells the embassy that he's going to sue the US government over it, where a worker replies, "That's your right."

"No," the father replied, "it's my privilege."

The first thought that crossed my mind was "Good for you, standing up to those bullies." My second thought was "And that's what the movie's director wanted me to think." I left the theater feeling manipulated.

True, the director was on the left end of the political spectrum. However, my ideological opponents don't have the monopoly on playing emotional puppet master. I've seen some videos recently which are promoting a message I whole heartedly agree with that are poorly written and unashamedly try to play on one's feelings.

Many sermons are designed to trigger an emotional response. There's a popular Christian song that left me feeling my feelings were used. I've read a couple of Christian novels recently where the faith element seemed to be included for the sole purpose of the book being for the Christian market.

Can you get a message across without that manipulation? Yes. I read the novel Jurassic Park. By the time I finished it, I got the strong feeling that author Michael Crichton had written the story as a warning against genetic engineering. But his appeal went to my mind, not to my emotions. It made me think; it did not make me react.

I am an artist, but I'm also a preacher at heart. My creativity is channeled through my Christian worldview and has a purpose to communicate as well as to be quality product. So I do have the concern of trying to get the message to the brain as opposed to tugging and playing with one's heartstrings.

In the novel I'm writing, I have characters with different viewpoints. One way to keep from manipulating is to present more than one perspective and to avoid to stereotypically have the good guys agree with me and the bad guys disagree. 

Are there examples where you feel manipulated by a work of art or a non-fiction book or reporting? Are there examples where your thinking is challenged but where you don't feel manipulated?