I'm just curious about something. Vocationally there are Christians in nearly every walk of life. Engineering, ditch digging, law enforcement, manufacturing, farming, etc... and we do not question whether whatever someone produces in their chosen vocation is evangelistic or "Christian" (altho we would all agree a Christian should not participate in a vocation or job that would lead them to do or produce something that goes against scripture).

But when it comes to the arts, most Christians today dont allow the same freedom. If you are a Christian and a song writer... and you write a song and it's not a Christian song... some will question your salvation.

The same is true for creative writing, painting, etc. Christians always seem to have the opinion that any creative or artful expression by other Christians has to be focussed on faith.

Where does this come from? Why do we do this?

What has brought this to mind is that I am working on a writing project and someone asked me about it. They were surprised that it is not "Christian" in nature. There is nothing about it that is un-Christian, it's just that this project is not overtly Christian. Not by design, it's just where it is, simple as that. Nothing more nothing less, and the last thing I want to do is force an evangelistic theme onto what I am writing because at that point it loses it's creativitiy... and I am no longer writing because I love to write... make sense?

(and yes, this project is partly why I have not been around much lately...)

Anyone have any thoughts on this subject?

Krispy

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Diane

Some people don't realize there is a wide latitude of freedom in Christ and that if what you are doing is not of true faith then it is sin.

That is the measuring stick. Is it of faith? And I would add (because I am going to be misunderstood), that I am not talking about natural faith (i.e. I know the sun will come up), but Godly faith, generated from the presence of Christ within you and your relationship with Him. Whatever is not of the faith that you presently have with Christ is sin.

No one would deny God is an artist. Some Christians do not even like some of His art as manifested in some living creatures. God allows them freedom to not like some of His art. That is gracious of Him. Some people think that some animals or insects or plants are repugnant while others think they are awesome.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we should be gracious enough not to be rude.

Now, with that said, "art" that denigrates Christ or anyone else is not art to me.

Just my 2 cents,
Pilgrim

Hi Krispy,

I'm at a small creative company that does visual work for many different brands. A few of our clients are "Christian", but the vast majority are not. Most of our clients are consumer brands...the same consumer brands that the Christians who are questioning you, probably use to brush their teeth or wash their clothes with.

A life long struggle I have had with my own tribe, conservative Christianity, is that we harbor anti-humanity feelings.

MC

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Mike Compton

small-mindedness.

God is not small-minded otherwise there would only be a few species of plants, animals and insects.

The expression of the Body of Christ is the expression of the Head (the Creator of all) through His Body and it will manifest as incredible multi-faceted and varied expressions all over the earth.

Our humanity is an expression of God. Our humanity in and of itself is beautiful and should be used by the Holy Spirit and not the unholy spirit. Humans are likened in scripture as containers. We are vessels, cups, temples, tabernacles, etc. We were made to contain God and that will result in limitless expressions of His beauty and glory.

My 3 cents, now.
Pilgrim

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Lisa

Good on you Krispy. Though I've not posted before, I've lurke for years and feel familiar with your forum presence. It makes me so happy to hear this.

I appreciate Compton's comment that so many Christian's have anti-humanity thoughts. Literature falls into the acaademic discipline of tge humanities, being the study of the product of humanity. Though this gets unfortunately mixed with opposition to the philosophical idea of humanism, it shouldn't.

I remember reading this last year and think it's relevant:

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?forum=35&topic_id=39289&post_id=286801&viewmode=thread&order=0

Thanks for sharing, krispy. all the best.

cyril

That was a good link, philomastix.

In every generation we have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight to see how the church spiritualized viewpoints it really had just inherited from the world. One of the most subtle and pernicious was the 20th century notion that a dutiful productive individual person must play their isolated role without question or concern for the big picture. Thankfully such a view has been recognized as untenable for the 21st century, as it limits crucial problem solving, network relationship building, and collaboration which is crucial to innovation. It is also demeaning to the psychological and spiritual parts of humanity.

The conservative Christian suspicion towards creativity and self-expression, does not come from the bible, but from the scientific management theories of the early 20th century industrial economy. Google Frederick W Taylor and see if you recognize the modern conservative Christian ethos towards human activity within the church organization.

MC

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Mike Compton

Well....Steve, in your book you going to dismiss common sense as irrelevant? Will evil triumph over God? Is goodness old-fashioned, no trait to be desired, yearned for, or pursued? Is God a mere observer of the cosmos not taking any interest in human affairs?

Or, are you writing something like "Rascal" or "Summer of the Monkeys"? (Yes, I prefer children's fiction - adult fiction has too much stress - I live with enough on a daily basis to allow it to entertain me.)

Have you ever read "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglass? I am rereading it again for the first time in many years - it having been a favorite when I was a teen. I am discovering the writer sharing a lot of Christian philosophies through his characters.

Steve, you questioning the will of God in your pursuit? Sounds to me like you are working to justify it, or defend it. Read your post as though someone else wrote it and what would you say?

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Sandra Miller