And now John will come and chuck a discus....
Some time ago, I attended a church service where I observed something that struck me as peculiar. Throughout the whole service, a woman was on the platform—way in the very back, inconspicuous, unlighted, and silent. As the music played and the videos ran and the preacher preached, she painted. It wasn’t so much distracting as just interesting. And at the end of the service, when the last song was being sung, she walked away, and a low, tasteful light was raised on her creation. The music ended, and everyone turned to file out.
I asked someone after the service what was up with all that, and I was told that it was the church’s attempt to showcase God’s gifting of this woman, as an artist. So every Sunday a different artist was invited to come on the platform and create during the service, the idea being that his or her art would be inspired by what was being said and sung.
This whole conversation that’s emerging about the place of art in the church is interesting to me, especially given the iconoclasm that’s marked so much of Protestant history. It’s not just the painter-in-the-service, either. I’ve also heard other evangelicals whom I love dearly say that a church needs to have a hallway somewhere in the building (or a room across the street) where artists can showcase their gifts—an art gallery, so to speak.
So what about all this? Do you think it's necessary, or even a good idea, for the church to incorporate painting or sculpture or whatever into its public worship services? Does the church need to have an art gallery? Does all that help the church to fully value the gifts God has given to his people? Or not?
And here’s another question that comes to mind: What would make artistic gifts different from, say, athletic ones? If you’re going to have someone painting in a worship service to showcase their artistic gifts, why not have an athlete going through the motions of throwing a discus? If you need to have an art gallery in your church, do you also need to have a gym?
Is there any reason why artistic gifts would be privileged over athletic ones in the church? Full disclosure: I don’t see one. There are lots of reasons for that floating around in my mind. Maybe I’ll put them on paper (so to speak) later, but it’ll fun to hear how some of you are thinking about this first.
This made me giggle. I was at my girlfriend's home church over Easter and they had a Friday Tenabrae service, which consisted of some dramatic readings from the Gospel of John (great), some cross-centered hymns (great), and some lady standing high above everyone else painting. The final product was an ill-proportioned Jesus on the cross with other Jesus scenes surrounding him...it seemed like an interactive icon to me. I think athletics are just as awe-inspiring, and they could have shown the NCAA tourney on one of the big projection screens. That would have been sweet! Just my opinion.
Posted by: Brett | Mar 26, 2008 2:11:08 PM
Two thoughts, one probably more valid (and less tongue in cheek) than the other...
1. Of course there's a reason art is valued over other gifts! It's cooler (so is hip music, BTW). If we bring cool art and artists into the scene, it will help us plant a church in that cool, coffee-house-laden, artsy scene neighborhood. Then we'll really be cutting edge!
2. On a more serious note, the zeal for art needs to be addressed from a biblical standpoint. As far as I can tell, visual art is nowhere emphasized or commended as part of Christian worship in the NT. One struggles, even, to find allusion to musical art as vitally important (although it's more normal in 'conservative' churches).
What we do find in the NT is an emphasis on reading (1 Tim. 4.13) and hearing (Romans 10)...not seeing. That fact has implications for drama, video, etc. too, IMHO.
What I am left with is the feeling that visual art (whether it be painting, drama, video clips in the sermon, or even overly decorated auditoriums) either:
A. Distracts from the saving word.
B. Obscures the saving word.
C. (Maybe most importantly) Shows a lack of confidence in the entire sufficiency of the saving word.
Also, for free:
Much of the visual art in settings like this may tend to gravitate towards visual portrayals of Jesus. Many of us are concerned that there is a Second Commandment issue with such representations (which is supported by the concerns I mentioned about visuals, in general, above.
Rambling complete!
Posted by: Kurt Strassner | Mar 26, 2008 3:48:56 PM
Greg,
You wrote:
If you’re going to have someone painting in a worship service to showcase their artistic gifts...
If that's why the artist is painting in worship, I would say that is the wrong reason and they shouldn't be up there. (any more than if the preacher is preaching to showcase public speaking gifts).
If an artist (musician or visual artist) can communicate the Word through art, then I see that having a thoughtful place in worship.
I don't think there is an equivalent capacity (to communicate) for athleticism, though one could certainly wish for some muscular folks to help move chairs and tables in the life of the church.
Posted by: robert austell | Mar 26, 2008 3:49:13 PM
I just saw this article today that relates exactly to what you're talking about:
http://religiousaffections.org/content/view/505/31/
He argues that different art has different effects upon people, and therefore certain art (such as visual) is not appropriate for worship.
Posted by: Timothy Williams | Mar 26, 2008 4:17:59 PM
During corporate worship, no.
Corporate worship is not about what we can do, it's not even necessarily about what God has allowed us to 'do'. Corporate worship is about what God has done FOR us in Jesus Christ, and WHO we have been allowed to become IN Him.
And frankly, while being a Christian allows me to focus my praise for God's gifting towards me, and better application of them, I'm not sure anything about my faith allows me to be a better painter. Those gifts are a part of general revelation, if you will. I would have them regardless of my relationship with God, even though I might not use or express them in the same ways or to their fullest, otherwise, so I am not sure why we would even consider them to be a part of the public corporate worship of God, other than to give Him thanks for them, which need not be done in the exercise of them.
That being said, while it is not necessary, there is no reason why a church should not have an 'art gallery'/bulletin board in order to display those gifts for the mutual edification and encouragement of the body.
My $.02 ...
Posted by: GGentry | Mar 26, 2008 5:16:07 PM
It is yet another example of the low view of Scripture as the full sufficiency for man of His revealed will. Emerging churches constantly strive to demote or sideline the preaching ministry of God's word by encouraging people to find other sources of discovering God's will. Even at SWBTS, they experimented with this "art on the canvas" idea during chapel services.
The presupposition to this idea is that God may not necessarily be speaking to you through the exposition of God's word. Maybe, because of your unique giftings and personalities as an artist, God is speaking to you through your art. So, if God isn't speaking to you through the exposition of God's word, maybe He's speaking to you through a paintbrush. And whatever abstract art appears on the canvas, then God is speaking to you through that.
And if neither of those are your cup of tea, then in another area of the sanctuary, there a Taize-like layout for you to discover God's will. There's oriental rugs with multi-color tapestries hanging. And there's an incense candle (or several candles) burning. And maybe God is speaking to you through this Taize.
And if none of that fits your bill, then try yet a 3rd alternative to hearing from God, connecting with God and discovering His will for your life: the Prayer Labyrinth.
What is a common theme with all of these options is the sidelining of the written word of God as the fully sufficient revealed will of God for man, and for man to listen to it being expounded.
Posted by: Will Shin | Mar 27, 2008 3:45:51 AM
Of the arts, singing is the only biblically sanctioned one. As Kurt said earlier, nowhere are the visual arts sanctioned and really are condemned in Ex. 20 with the giving of the ten commandments. No image means no image. I used to lead passion plays and had to repent for the same reasons.
Even the way some churches use their videos should be handled with more discernment.
Posted by: Thomas Clay | Mar 29, 2008 9:39:33 AM
This begs the question, of course, what is "art"? Are all things with any visual appeal to be disregarded from worship? I would say, unequivocally, no. God has created a beautiful world around us which draws attention to his majesty and even proclaims his "invisible attributes." The tabernacle and temple which God gave specific design specs for were grand in appearance - and only the most skilled people (builders, weavers, etc.) were to work on them. These people were, in effect, "artists," using their "gifts" for the glory of God. Look at your own church - is it nicely decorated, or do you worship in an unfinished basement?
I see no problem with having church-sanctioned art - paintings, videos, etc. as long as they are truly GOD-centered (not GIFT-centered). I don't think art is a spiritual gift, but more of a talent. The Corinthians got in trouble by showcasing their spiritual gifts (tongues) - how much more for simple talents? We also must be careful of stewardship - it's not wise to spend beaucoup bucks on a painting! Do you *need* the $1000 cross hanging in the pulpit?
Some art, like singing, can be God-glorifying during a service. Others can be distracting, like this woman painting *during* a service. I hardly think *she* was being edified by not paying attention to the sermon. You gotta use wisdom with this, without getting legalistic. Dramas, videos, painting - they can all glorify God when they are gospel-centered. But they, like everything else, can be distracting and mis-used. Even singing - how many times have you listened to a wonderful praise singer and said, "Wow he/she can really wail!" and forget about the object of praise?
Regarding physical "art" (like a sporting event), I can say that would be most distracting in a church setting. My wife, a dancer, constantly thanks God for the amazing things a body can do - and she's right, and her focus is correct. The body really is quite incredible. If she said, Hey look at me doing flips in the back of the church while the sermon's going on... well, that'd be a little misplaced!
Posted by: Thomas Meier | Apr 4, 2008 2:48:32 PM