Is your work “meaningless” because it’s not “Christian”? 
Is the work that we create that does not have pictures of the cross, a fish or the gospel message within it of less value than work that contains these things?
“…is all art by Christians what many recognize as ‘Christian Art’?”
It’s the crossroads that many of us as Christian creatives face. Now that we have given our lives over to Christ, and now that we have given Him access to our talent, how will we see this relationship reflected in our work? Many immediately expect comic books that tell bible stories and graphic designs for Christian t-shirts…but is all art by Christians what many recognize as “Christian Art”?
Obviously we would see some expression of our faith in what we create the same way we hear it in our verbal expression. But do we quote scripture in every conversation?
I don’t want to lead the conversation on this, but I want to hear what YOU have experienced in the matter:
- Leave a comment below on your take on this.
- Forward this to 3 friends and ask them to post their thoughts and experiences as well.
creating is an expression… there’s a verse that says something like up from the heart the mouth speaks, or out from the mouth the heart speaks… whatever it is, its outflow of your heart. START THERE.
being creative is a form of communication. There is nothing you could do or paint or create that will offend God. Jesus is creator, and HE is who God sees when He looks at us. If there is something on your heart that you need to communicate… just do it. if you want to create something based on something you enjoy, just DO IT. We are so quick to super-spiritualize everything and think that everything we do needs to be crosses and fish symbols and the beautiful flowers God made…. We’re artists, and creatives… we’re supposed to be raw. There’s nothing wrong with doing a commentary piece on society and what it looks like without Jesus. There’s nothing wrong with making a piece that reflects your passion against evil. I challenge creatives to be real, authentic, and raw, and stop feeling they have to make pretty pictures with bible verses on them! Drives me nuts. Let the Holy Spirit move in people’s hearts. “christian art” will more often than not be restrictive to that.
Also, GOD DELIGHTS IN YOU AND YOU DELIGHTING IN HIM AND IN HIS GIFTS AND THE TALENTS HE GAVE YOU. dont over-think it. just create. And do it WELL. (there is definitely something to say about studying your craft and doing it excellently.) HE LOVES IT. He ENJOYS IT. He ENJOYS YOU!! He enjoys your process, he enjoys how you think about things. He will move through it how He wants to.
just my two cents…
Amen to that! Looking forward to more “grace” oriented replies from you
I have chosen to address the miracles of Gods beauty and center my work towards spirituality. I know Christ is proud of the direction I have chosen. I work for myself which allows this choice. I don’t want to be ashamed of my efforts.
Hi, It seems to me that this is an individual decision and we must follow how the Holy Spirit is leading us in any situaiton, which might be very different from how He may lead someone else. Seems like not having a judgmental attitude is pretty important, and confidence in how we hear God’s voice or direction for ourselves. Thanks for the great post, Tony. Look forward to meeting you at the Write2Ignite Conference.
Hey Kathleen!
Great thoughts on this post! Thanks for the feedback.
And I, too, am looking forward to meeting you at the Write2Ignite Conference!
I struggled with this for so long. When I discovered I could draw better in a pastel medium a couple years after I returned to my faith I did everything with a Christian theme. I felt I HAD to do this due to some kind of internal pressure which I think now wasn’t God. I think that as Christians our faith taints,in a good way, everything we touch and God can use our non faith/Christian themed work just as well. For example I really love my dogs. I painted a picture of my eldest dog because I love him and he’s one of the biggest blessings God’s ever given me. Part of me though felt pressured that it wasn’t ok that there was no Christian/God theme in it. The pressure has lessened over the years but it does keep me in check in a way (or it could just be an issue I’m having). But I’ve always felt that God made my dog and gave me him as a blessing and so to create a painting of him is blessing God and a testament to God’s glory. God the creator of all things and God the giver of good gifts to His children. Plus the painting can get into the hands of someone who needs to hear about the Lord and our art can lead to conversation, open doors for me to talk to/with them. But I don’t paint many things that don’t have a Christian theme to them as I see the chaos in the world and I want to answer it with Christ’s hope and truth in my work.
So ,no, it’s not meaningless cause it’s not ‘Christian’ as God can use anything. But one has to ask how much of your work are you returning to Him by using it to clearly testify to/of His glory/Him? If you spend your whole life creating work that is cloaked in confusion or silence or a unclear message then I don’t think that is right. If someone looks at your body of your work and hasn’t a clue that you’re a Christian or gets a glimmer of a message that glorifies God from your work then that’s wrong. It’s hiding your light under a basket. So, I’m saying long way around is that there has to be a balance.
And, above all, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in all your ways/works so that the gift is returned to the giver.
I love what Josh said about God’s fridge. LOL!
Thanks for the input Mark! When you mentioned showing your art to God, I like to ask’ “Would God hang it on His holy fridge?”
I produce both overt and covert visual artwork. The overt is obvious and for a certain market. The covert sometimes opens a dialog between me and my viewers. This past weekend I did an art show and had several opportunities to speak about the meaning of my covert works. I have to trust God to do his thing from there.
There is a line that we have to be careful not to cross. In the Word we are told not to be a stumbling block to others, so our artwork and our projects have to be somewhat wholesome. As Christian artists and writers we cannot go out and draw slash (porn) or other types of images that celebrate the hedonistic values of the secular world. It’s a fine line we have to walk, but a line that’s there all the same.
As for “If it’s not against God, it’s for God”…….That’s a difficult phrase to really examine. After all, my smoking cigarettes isn’t directly against any commandment, yet is still a sin because of what it does to my body. We have to be salt and light, to show that we are different from the world while at the same time showing the world our best.
The Bible clearly states that we are IN this world, not OF this world. If we compromise too much, we become no different than what the world sees. If we go too far in the other direction, we preach to the choir. It’s an interesting balancing act that can only be accomplished through prayer and accountability to other artists.
While I may not have a problem with a performing artist performing as was mentioned above, another may have. Yet who would be correct? If a door is opened, who cares how? These are questions that we must wrestle with each and every day. It’s difficult to be a Christian involved with the arts on any level, yet we must through prayer, faith, and as I said (and in my opinion one of the most important) accountability to each other wrestle with these items.
Let’s take a quick example: Some people are able to have a single glass of wine with a good italian meal. I’m not one of them, because if I drink, it would be to get drunk. Therefore it would be a sin for me to drink any alcohol knowing where it would lead. Yet is it still a sin for those who can only have that one glass? If your art (performing or otherwise) causes you to stumble in your walk, then yes. It is a sin, and we must watch out for it. If it does not, then you’re good to go.
Remember what Romans says: We serve one of two masters. We either serve God, or serve the world. There is no gray area. There is no either/or option. Whatever we do, we must do to the glory of God. That goes for drawing Superman or Batman all the way to performing a character on the stage.
Sometimes it’s harder to make the stand than to go along with the crowd. But we must, as Christians make that stand whether we’re in a secular atmosphere or not. As the Bible also states, what good is salt once it’s lost its taste?
The acid test is this: Would you be proud to show the work that you do to Jesus Christ Himself?
Once I began asking myself that question, I realized that whether I worked on a secular comic book or a Christian one, I had to be certain that I would be willing to show my Lord and Saviour whatever I worked on, and have a sense of accomplishment instead of embarrassment and shame.
As artists too often we can cross a line quickly and easily. It’s harder to be a Christian and work in a secular industry, or produce secular work, and still produce salt and light to the world. This I feel is our greatest calling.
Remember what St Francis of Assisi said: Witness in all things, if necessary use words. (paraphrase)
When I discussed a topic similar to this with my art group, the phrase “If it’s not for God, it’s against God” came up. Then, being creative people, we flipped it and said, “If it’s not against God, it’s for God.” This makes some logical sense, but it feels like it could get misinterpreted easily.
Does anybody agree with this flipped-around philosophy? Also, can’t people who are unsaved experience God?
I think this mentality is based upon a “contract” relationship with the Lord vs. a “covenant” relationship with the Lord.
For example:
Though I love my wife…I don’t talk about her all day, but my actions, words, and choices express that I’m joined (in covenant)to another.
So it should be with the Lord…I may not talk about Him everyday or draw pictures of Him, but my words, actions, and choices should, spontaneously, express that I’m joined in a loving covenant with Him.
On the other hand, in a contract relationship, it is my duty/job to represent the company/business in whom I am employed; to give all endorsements and proceeds to the industry in whose interest I carry.
The first relationship stems from an unmerited love affair, while the latter stems from a ridge religious obligation.
My point is that: the saints of God have been called into the Lord’s arms, not into the Lord’s enterprise…from His arms we should create, speak, and act.
We should create from covenant, not contract.
Great point, techne!
(Good to “see” you again,too!)
happily, and increasingly i think, art is being created by christians that is not overtly “christian”. the same holds true in music, dance, film, literature, etc. what a relief to not expect objects to do the work of people…
ultimately, it is our lives, and our relationships, though which we [most often] preach. after all, we are called to “make disciples” — that can only happen through relationship.
I’ve often wondered about this myself. About five years ago I attended a Christian Arts Festival and spoke with a Christian Actor and Screenwriter. During our discussion we discovered that we agreed: We Christians don’t have to be blatantly Christian in our work, but do have to hold to the morals and obligations that being a Christian brings. We need to show that we’re different than the world. To be “salt and light” as the scriptures put it.
In writing, our beliefs will bleed through to the page. As will it with artwork. It’s not that we need more of a Christian industry, but we need more Christians IN the industry. It’s in this way that we can truly let the light of Christ shine.
Great feedback, Martin. I think many of us felt the same way you did. I wonder how many of us expanded that perspective as well as you did after discussing the matter with fellow creatives, pastors, etc?
I am a professional performing artist. I had struggled unsuccessfully to forge a “christian” performing career. God kept putting me into the secular world. I now perform as a 1940s ex-gangster turned magician character. He drinks and smokes cigars, and is very flirtatious with the girls. I perform in theaters all across the country – New York, Las Vegas… I get hired to host burlesque shows a lot. Guess what? Every single time I am put into a position to share my faith to people who never would have darkened the doors of a church performance.
@John-
Good to hear from you, again!
I’ve often wondered about our creative brothers and sisters in the performing arts who many times are faced with roles or shows that are of this matter.
Have you experienced people who say you’ve crossed the line, and if so, how have you responded?
(And thanks for sharing your experience!)
Tony,
I do get challenged from people in the Chrurch from time to time. It is probably God’s way of keeping me “in check.”
What’s funny is that God has given me access to a population that is traditionally very militant in their anit-Christian views. They all know what I am about, and often they are engaging me in questions about faith, Scripture, nature of God, etc… In most cases I am the only “Jesus” they will know. God has definitely given me a mission field!
Make no mistake, I have struggled with it at times. I would much rather be presenting “Brave.New.Worship” at churches around the country, but God has not allowed that. For what ever reason, I am where I am.
My solace is that Jesus himself was similarly criticized for his association with “sinners” – notably tax collectors and prostitutes. I simply stand back and ask that cliche’ what would Jesus do?
Maybe it’s not so cliche’ after all…
In the end, I find peace knowing that I am a light in a dark world that needs to hear about Jesus and not just hear about, but see Christ modeled for them. That’s where I am.
I agree with Devin, I had the same exact viewpoint when I fully accepted Christ as the foundation in my life. Now I see that secular art can glorify God in sometimes more meaningful ways than blatantly obvious Christian art can (both in music and visual art). And to hone your skill and craft in whatever way (that is good) is giving praise and thanks to God in the quietest and most intimate way. And as Devin said, don’t take credit for the gift God gave you! You are the one turning it into a skill with God’s love and help and without Him, you’d have nothing.
@Devin- Well put, Mr. Smith, well put.
This is huge! When I first got saved, I thought everything I did had to have something about Jesus or the Bible in it. I disagree with that viewpoint now, because to me IT IS like constantly talking about Jesus and the Bible in every single conversation you have; which is a quick way to turn somebody off to the very thing you are so passionate about.
My current view: DO NOT compromise your witness with your work. DO everything you do at the highest level of quality that you can. This will REALLY glorify God, get people to actually care about what you have to say, and eventually give you the opportunity to share Christ.
Honing your gift and being AS GOOD AS or BETTER than your non-Christian contemporaries is, in my opinion, the best way to glorify God. Just remember to give Him the credit for your gift when you get your platform.