On Faith and Art

“The journey homewards. Coming home. That's what it's all about. The journey to the coming of the Kingdom. That's probably the chief difference between the Christian and the secular artist--the purpose of the work, be it story or music or painting, is to further the coming of the kingdom, to make us aware of our status as children of God, and to turn our feet toward home.”

― Madeleine L'Engle, quote from Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art

One of my favorite books kept within reach by my bed that I often re-read is Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L'Engle, yes, the same writer of the beloved Wrinkle in Time youth fantasy/scifi fiction books.

It is a deep, stream of consciousness style read on what it means to be a Christian and an artist.  It makes one feel like some ancient mystic creative when you flip the pages and dig in. 

She addresses the questions, What makes art Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian artist? What is the relationship between faith and art? She reminds the reader that the main goal of an artist: to listen, to remain aware, and to respond to creation through one's own art.

The Bible talks about talents and spiritual gifts many times (1 Corinthians 12 for example), but when it comes to art; I felt for many years that I got the raw end of the deal.  I never learned to play an instrument or sing well enough to not be scared in front of an audience, but I could pick up a pencil or a brush and FEEL so much.  It was always hard to describe.

I never knew how to properly worship God with art or show my gratitude for my talent because it was never encouraged as a gift you could use for God and if you did, it was just generic Christian art.  Boring landscapes, Jesus looking the same in every depiction (sometimes too much like Kenny Loggins)  90's Christian art, 80's Christian art, etc.

I have always been facinated by the ancient art of 1st century Christians hiding from the Romans: icthuses and or early Christian art: frescos, carved figures in stone walls, ancient Christian texts and ancient languages.  I am drawn to coptic Christian art, art of the Byzantine empire/ Eastern Orthodox Church, Catholic iconography, and of course, Italian masterpieces of Christian art.  I grew up protestant and still am, so art isn't very prominant in our churches.

So, I re-created my pain through my art.  I painted the sadness I felt feeling left out of His plan (or so I thought).  I painted the depression, anger and trauma I experienced in various stages of my life.  I used my gift as therapy, which I needed at that time.  I knew deep down I wanted to use my art to show my adoration and my thankfulness, but I just couldn't comprehend how it could be used to give glory to God.

Through years of reading articles on Christianity and the arts, studying art history and delving into scripture about spirtual gifts and God's creation, I began to grasp what God wanted of me.  The arts can give us a glimpse onto the canvas of God. God is the FIRST artist; the most magnificent creator:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

I discovered that the arts whether painting, writing, listening to or creating music gives us the freedom to experience such joy that you are filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit.  It's interesting to me how I see the images (or rather they are revealed to me) before I even put them to paper or canvas. I make sure I acknowledge it now. I find it very hard to put into words the feeling when you are working on a piece of art and it was breathed into you by God.  I can experience the nature God created, humanity, the light, the darkness and all of the world's creatures.  It is as if my heart was both leaping out of my chest and also on fire. I thought it was too much caffeine at first, but then there was so much overwhelming happiness.  I experienced this for the first time in my life a few months ago while painting the canvas, The Missing One and I thought, "This is what I have been searching for my whole life."

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10