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Art and the Bible: Two Essays
The lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts," writes Francis Schaeffer. "A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God, not just as tracts, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God." Many Christians, wary of creating graven images, have steered clear of artistic creativity. But the Bible offers a robust affirmation of the arts. The h...more
Paperback, 94 pages
Published
November 30th 2006
by IVP Books
(first published May 1st 1973)
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This little book had me scribbling notes and underlining furiously the whole way through! It was excellent. There were so many times when I couldn't resist laughing in joy as I read. Just the very first words on the very first page are dynamite. I also really liked what he said about "great art" and the necessity for judging art not only on how well it is done, but by what message is taught. That is a needed message in our day, and he delineated that so well. (See pages 43-45)
I did, however, dis...more
I did, however, dis...more
3 likes · like · see review
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The arts are powerful. They draw our hearts and minds more effectively than dry intellectual content alone, and they make us experience truth in ways that nothing else can. So all of us are drawn to the arts. The music, books, poems, stories, films, and other forms of art that we engage with shape our thinking, our affections, and the direction of our lives, for good and for evil.
This is true of all people, the old and the young. But unfortunately, sometimes Christian young people have been give...more
This is true of all people, the old and the young. But unfortunately, sometimes Christian young people have been give...more
In Art in the Bible Schaeffer states “The lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarch between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul and redemption is for the whole man.” Schaeffer very clearly presents the fact that Christianity involves the whole man, including his intellect and creativeness. These are not periphery, side areas – these are the central areas. The arts and the sciences all have a...more
In this short book, Schaeffer argues that art is an expression of the Lordship of God over man and man’s lordship over creation. While the worship of art is sin, making art in and of itself can bring glory to God. Schaeffer leans heavily on the Scriptural precedents of the Tabernacle (secular themes in religious art), the Serpent in the Wilderness (Jesus’ view of art), and Solomon’s Throne (secular art). The writer also overviews a variety of art forms in Scripture from the visual, to musical, t...more
Schaeffer stood as a pretty unique figure for his time, straddled somewhat awkwardly between two worlds that allegedly did not mix: considered too “intellectual” for the mostly pre-war generation of religious conservatives, while secular intellectuals and cultural aficionados would not take him seriously either. Ultimately, he did carve out a convenient niche for himself among the burgeoning baby-boomer Christians. Today he’s considered one of the seminal figures in the revival of neo-evangelica...more
Written as a response to fundamentalist responses to the "Jesus Movement", in this short pamphlet Schaeffer gives a rough outline of how Christians ought to think about art.
His general argument is that Christ is Lord over all of creation, so that not even art is excluded from His domain, and Christians may therefore participate in art (both making it and viewing it) with good conscience. Schaeffer then gives guidelines for making and judging art, some of which include:
1) technical excellence: T...more
His general argument is that Christ is Lord over all of creation, so that not even art is excluded from His domain, and Christians may therefore participate in art (both making it and viewing it) with good conscience. Schaeffer then gives guidelines for making and judging art, some of which include:
1) technical excellence: T...more
In the first essay (the book is divided in 2), Schaeffer explains that God, in the Bible, commanded all kinds of art in the creation and beautifying of the tabernacle. Some art was life-like, but the colors of some things weren't realistic. Schaeffer says this implies that we have freedom, as God expressed Himself, to create art that is not photographic but imaginative, or contrary to reality. I had never thought of that before.
Also, he quotes 2 Chronicles 3:6 where twice it says the purpose fo...more
Also, he quotes 2 Chronicles 3:6 where twice it says the purpose fo...more
Dec 06, 2012
Jimmy
added it
This is a good introduction to a Christian view on art. They say don't judge a book by it's cover and for this work I would also add that neither should you judge a book by it's size--the book turned out to be better than I expected. Francis Schaeffer delivers in this work that's really two chapters/essay that lays the foundation for the development of a Christian view of art. In the first chapter, Schaeffer attempts to establish Biblically that art is a godly pursuit. He begins his case with th...more
Francis Schaeffer’s book Art and the Bible is a classic when it comes to developing a Biblical theology of the arts or in thinking about theology and the arts Christianly. Almost every book about the arts or theology in the arts, from a Christian worldview that has come out since this book was first published in 1973, references Schaeffer’s Art and the Bible. The book began as two separate essays, the first essay is Art and the Bible and the second is Some Perspectives on Art. These separate ess...more
April 2013 - I read this book a couple years back, but picked it up again to pre-read it ahead of my high school students. This little book, comprised of two essays, is simple, concise, and easily understood. However, there are certainly plenty of nuggets to chew on found within the pages. I appreciate Schaeffer's thoughtfulness in challenging Christians to appreciate art as art, while at the same time thinking (and agreeing or disagreeing) with the artist's worldview. My favorite part of Art an...more
It is relatively easy to teach our children how to draw, make music, write poetry, or engage in any other creative venture. There are many wonderful curricula, many great teachers, and an incredible wealth of examples.
But it’s also important to teach them why we Christians make art and how to evaluate the art we encounter and make.
Francis Schaeffer, one of the most influential Christians of the previous century, has discussed these topics in his slim but important book Art and the Bible....
To re...more
But it’s also important to teach them why we Christians make art and how to evaluate the art we encounter and make.
Francis Schaeffer, one of the most influential Christians of the previous century, has discussed these topics in his slim but important book Art and the Bible....
To re...more
I underlined and marked on almost every page! Reading this little book was intense and very informative. Schaeffer does an excellent work in arguing for the importance of developing a Christian worldview in Christian Arts and most especially, His ideas and arguments(which he makes strongly & biblically) that Christian Art should not just merely be a jumble of religious figures or themes is well developed and would prove both relevant and necessary to the advancement of Art and culture within...more
Jan 31, 2011
Hannah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Christian artists
Shelves:
spirituality,
art
A short, clear look at where Christianity has been getting the idea of the arts wrong. This has been a frustration with me for several years now, and it was encouraging to read Schaeffer's thoughts and find he came to so many of the same conclusions that I did. The first half of the book deals with what the Bible says about art (it's pro it) and the second half deals with some perspectives on art and things to consider when evaluating or producing it. A must-read for the Christian artist.
Short and sweet and to the point, but very good. Schaeffer's vision was on-target, by and large, though he got a little hung up at times on conveying propositional truth through art. Thus, his rejection of art-as-tract is right, but as a cultural project his vision failed at least in part because it wasn't truly coherent in his own writing here. Still, this should be on the required reading shelf for any would-be Christian artist.
Good book, lays the christian worldview foundation for an understanding of art in culture. This book leaves you wanting more and more can be found as the best book on this subject I have read is "Art and the Death of Culture" by Rookmaaker who studied under Schaeffer at L'Abri. Schaeffer was a generalist and can be forgiven for not having the extensive knowledge of art Rookmaaker had.
Schaeffer demonstrates the importance of art in the Kingdom of God through the exposition of scripture--particularly the construction of the temple, and later, David's palace. The lessons he extrapolates are that God enjoys beauty, that art is an important way of worshipping God, and of man expressing his "mannishness." God is the first and only true Creator, but because man is made in the image of God, man is a sub-creator who can create his own works of art--not just in the formal arts of pain...more
If you have wondered what relationship art has to Christianity, or whether Christians should participate in art then this book is for you. This is a very encouraging book for any Christian who feels that they have something to contribute to the arts, but hasn't been encouraged by "the church" to pursue that passion.
Liked it a lot--it was an enjoyable read, although I think what Schaeffer defined as art was too broad. He referenced many parts of the Bible that aren't commonly referenced, which made his main points even more interesting. We're reading it for school, and it's one of my new favorites of the year.
3.5 stars
A quick read (only 94 pages). The first half was so-so but the second half where Schaeffer gives some "perspectives on art" was good. I thought his 11 points were pretty spot-on.
A great intro to anyone interested in theology and the arts. Quick, easy, thought provoking.
A quick read (only 94 pages). The first half was so-so but the second half where Schaeffer gives some "perspectives on art" was good. I thought his 11 points were pretty spot-on.
A great intro to anyone interested in theology and the arts. Quick, easy, thought provoking.
1 like · like · see review
Excellent read. Started to reawaken the desire--no, need--to indulge in my own art. I have put it aside for nearly a year, partly out of a fear that it had no part in my pursuit of a godly life. But Schaeffer's essays gave me a fresh perspective on art and the holy.
Schaeffer does an excellent job showing that not only should we not see artistic expression as separate from our faith, we also should not assume it must be done from within the confines of the church in order to reflect a Christian world-view. He says "A Christian should use the arts to the glory of God, not just as tracts, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God." Something beautiful can bring Him glory even if it's message is not overtly "Christian".
Jan 02, 2012
Sean-david
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
theology-apologetics-philosophy
This is an important book that I would reccomend to every artist, and every pastor/preacher, especially fundamentalists or those who may live and operate in and around that context. Classic Schaeffer.
The take away--
Art can be judged by four standards.
1. Technical excellence
2. Validity (Artistic integrity)
3. Intellectual content, including worldview
4. The harmony of the content with the medium
Art can be judged by four standards.
1. Technical excellence
2. Validity (Artistic integrity)
3. Intellectual content, including worldview
4. The harmony of the content with the medium
a concise, well reasoned argument for creativity as an essential ingredient in what he calls the 'manishment of man' and the role which art plays in developing culture from a christian worldview.
Brief, precise, & a great starting point for any Protestant who has been frustrated with the failure of Christians to understand or interact with artwork or artists in a meaningful way.
This book was pleasant to read and I learned a lot from it; however, I'm not sure I quite agree with all of his conclusions on the subject matter. It makes me very interested in doing more research on the topic.
Short but useful message. Every christian artists need read this if you want to know how to use art to honor God or you are seeking the relationship between art & God.
A good book on a Christian view of art and culture. A classic, which has been built on in the last few years with the abundance of books on culture and Christianity.
Jun 09, 2013
Laurel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian,
non-fiction
This book arrived at just the right time for a conversation I was having with a friend. Francis Schaeffer's perspective is appreciated as always. It gives a sober accounting of how Christians should 'be' in the world.
A short, but very informative tract on the subject. A perfect starting point for Christians interested in creating or consuming the Arts
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'Francis Schaeffer was a Presbyterian minister with an ability to see how the questions of meaning, morals, and value being dealt with by philosophy, were the same questions that the Bible dealt with, only in different language. Once an agnostic, Schaeffer came to the conclusion that Biblical Christianity not only gave sufficient answers to the big questions, but that they were the only answers th...more
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“The Christian in the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.”
—
42 people liked it
“A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God, not just as tracts, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. An art work can be a doxology in itself.”
—
18 people liked it
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