We are made in God's image.
We have heard this countless times, but what does it really mean? I think it means many things, and that this phrase is actually a deep well of truth from which we can draw out many interpretations.
One way I look at this image-bearing is our capacity to imitate the Creator by creating. When God created the heaven and the earth he declared it "very good." Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's "workmanship," from the Greek word poeima, from which we derive the word "poem" in English. God's workmanship is so beautiful that it inspired our modern English word for "poem." Think about that for a minute.
To most of us, the overwhelming beauty of creation is undeniable. God is an artist. God's meticulous work of art is displayed lavishly in nature, animals, and humans. Art is sacred, artistry a sacrament. We are God's living art pieces.
We are endowed with God's beauty. The whole of creation proclaims God's beauty and glory. What we see reflected in us and in all created things is merely a reflection of God's beauty. We catch a glimpse of this Beauty of beauties whenever we contemplate a sunset, the graceful strides of a gazelle, or the beauty of the human body.
We are beautiful because He is beautiful. We are glorious because He is glorious. As the psalmist proclaims, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
When artists create art they are imitating God. I believe this is part of what it means to be created in God's image.
Our Call to Create
We are called to create things that are "very good." We are called to reflect God's beauty to the world in our everyday work. Whatever we are called to do, whether it is sweeping the streets, working behind the desk in an office, or writing a striking musical piece, we are called to create art.
Unfortunately, many of us, including many followers of Jesus, have lost sight of this calling.
This struck me as I was listening to Mozart's requiem. To think that this sort of musical masterpiece could be used for liturgy was mind blowing. To compare Mozart's requiem to what passes as Christian music when you tune in to your local Christian radio is certainly discouraging.
The way the Christian music industry imitates it's capitalist counterpart, secular media, where catchy and recycled lyrics rule the radio waves, instead of imitating God's beautiful creation is certainly a tragic miss of our calling as artists.
What we hear during worship on Sundays is very different from what Mozart and Beethoven created. I'm not suggesting that we ditch contemporary worship in favor of classical music in our liturgies. What I am suggesting is that whatever we do, especially for God's Kingdom, must express Kingdom values, not capitalistic ones.
Mozart's requiem and Beethoven's missa solemnis are enjoyed and their beauty is recognized by many people, Christians and non-Christians alike. They intuit the Workmanship that these artists invested in their masterpieces, and their beauty is discernible to all.
On the other hand, a non-Christian who listens to the Top-40 hits on our local Christian station can find the experience distressing.
It is time for us followers of Jesus to regain our rightful place as artists, and start walking into those good works that God prepared beforehand for us, as Ephesians 2:10 encourages us to do.
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| Photo by Lawrence OP |
As both artists and followers of Jesus, however, we should make sure that our art reflects the Kingdom's values.
The art we create must be available to all, especially to the poor and disenfranchised. Art is human, and should not be reserved to a niche group of people who feel entitled and educated enough to appreciate it. This means that its beauty should be accessible and discernible to all, unlike many modern pieces that, while artful, feel inaccessible because of their abstractness and even bizarreness.
Also, the art we create must reflect the humility of the artist. This is another aspect of accessibility. I have noticed in our culture that educated and artistically-inclined people are filled with the obnoxious air of pompous snobbery. From the face of disgust when you ask a barista in the local artisan coffee shop for a "decaf" to the haughtiness of the well-dressed businessman sharing an elevator ride with someone wearing dress pants and tennis shoes. All of these attitudes should be avoided in the character and art of the follower of Jesus, however educated and tasteful he or she considers themselves to be.
Finally, the art must reflect God's beauty. Look at creation - it is overflowing with beauty. While anger and sadness can be expressed in art, even "negative" emotions must reflect the beauty that is in the created order. Christian art should not be used as many instances of modern art are: for simple shock value, in which an artistic work is purposefully ungraceful and terrifying just for the sake of controversy.
Would you agree with this criteria? Would you add any other value? Please share in the comments below!
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