Rights Reinstated, Please
As I was listening audibly to the book Visual Faith, on art and its relationship to the church, many times the voice would say, “Image not included because of rights restriction”, and all I had was the words and my imagination. The author would describe the picture and I would try to visualize what he was describing. I was struck by the irony of this as I often experience the absence of traditional art pictures, stained glass windows, beautiful cathedrals, relics, and icons, in our contemporary churches.
Art was created for more than just decor, to decorate a place of worship; it was an identity to the faith, that reverberated throughout the ages and helped define who the church was as Christianity evolved and became culturally relevant to that era. Art played many defining roles throughout the centuries and various cultures. It also is not just restricted to images but can be seen in writings, music, architecture, and more.
Comforting….
Although much of the religious art throughout the centuries have been used to connect people to their faith and inspire creativity, some art was used exclusively to be nurturing to the viewer. Thomas Kinkade’s work was given as an example, and immediately many of his light-filled paintings came to mind. The blissful paintings depicting charming, light-filled, homes, brought comfort and stirred my imagination. I remember going through galleries and pouring over art books, only to pause and look longingly at his pictures, wishing I could visit the place he created on canvas. Few images have exuded such nurturance and warmth for me like Kinkade’s art.
Another piece of comforting art was brought to mind with Max Lucado’s book I read as a youth, “6 Hours One Friday”. I can still remember the awe in Lucado’s creative writing as his comforting words introduced me to the most loving, relational, and sacrificial Jesus I had ever met. His artful word depiction of Jesus being my Savior and beloved Friend, caused me to fall more deeply in love with him. I was profoundly moved by his work, and took such comfort and reassurance in the unconditional love Jesus had for me.
Evangelistic…
When I wandered through the many cathedrals in London, Ireland, and Oxford, I was fascinated with how much the tapestries, stained glass windows, architecture, and sculptures all boldly proclaimed the powerful gospel message. To view such magnificent work that was painstakingly created by talented artists which such accuracy, color, and beauty, it made me marvel how anyone viewing it could walk away unmoved and unbelieving in God. To visit the Louvre in Paris and view all the incredible paintings of sacred Biblical stories in such a public arena, again I wondered what non-believers must think and feel when they viewed such works of beauty and passion. Did they walk away intrigued, moved, or did they just admire the artist’s techniques without feeling the impact of the art? Was it more impacting for me as a Christian as I viewed the well-known Bible stories dramatically displayed in picture after picture in such powerful imagery?
If these Bible stories were purely preached without images, I highly doubt it would bring near the audience that the Louvre draws. Where words fail to reach people, images draw people in and unite all religions and races as we connect over passionately created beauty. It gives pause to wonder, what art or images are we creating to reach our generation of today, and are we using enough images with our words to attract this image-saturated generation? Dyrness states it best: “Then perhaps we will present the gospel and plan our worship in ways that respond to their quest and reintegrate word and image. It is possible that we might actually win the battle of words but lose the battle of images. And losing that battle could well cost us this generation.” (20-21) In our churches and sermons, I can see how images artfully interwoven with words can be a powerful, if not necessary, evangelistic tool for today’s generation.
Creative worship….
Church worship services offer a variety of creative expression, as indicated in the reading. I grew up in Southern California attending Calvary Chapel services on the beach, healing services with John Wimber at the Vineyard, and attended the first inaugural service at the Crystal Cathedral with Robert Schuller. It was an exciting time for the church, but I had no idea how revolutionary some of these worship styles were. As a kid, I was confused with the criticism and the controversy. Each place was ministering in such a creative and revolutionary way, and it was all I knew. Southern California was such a dynamic place and culturally varied, so we needed several different worship styles to fit the unique population. In the process, it started a movement throughout the church to think outside of the box. The once unique Vineyard choruses have become common music, the outdoor services of Calvary Chapel freed congregations to be creative where they meet for worship, and the Crystal Cathedral paved the way to a hopeful, positive gospel versus the shame ridden messages turning many free-loving Californians away from church.
I did not understand the staunch denominational cultures, or the defining lines of Charismatic and non-charismatic, or the competitiveness of the different worship styles. I saw ministers and movements developing different creative worship venues to service a unique and fragmented population. And I saw value, creativity, and art in all venues, and a place where a diverse people can creatively find their comfortable place to worship God together. Dyrness references these concerns with: “The fact that much controversy attends the use of arts in worship, that artists in Christian communities continue to be marginalized, and that Christians still express confusion regarding their engagement with the arts indicates unfinished business.”(66)
I look forward to experiences where we give more encouragement and value to the expression of artful work and creative worship experiences, instead of creating futile controversies that detour us from creative expressions for our Creator. And where images are not absent due to our “rights being restricted” but rather invited to complement the words of the gospel.
About the Author
Jennifer Dean-Hill
9 responses to “Rights Reinstated, Please”
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Jennifer,
I love the way you outlined your post. It was tranquil. (smile)
I love your ending (the art should be a complement to our worship).
Thank you – it was Kinkade inspired.
Jen, these two comments paint a picture for me.
“In the process, it started a movement throughout the church to think outside of the box. ”
and
“And I saw value, creativity, and art in all venues, and a place where a diverse people can creatively find their comfortable place to worship God together. ”
I think you hit on one of the reasons why art is not valued in some churches. It is tough for some people to change. And sometimes it is easier to just keep going the way “we always have” and not see that just because it’s our tradition doesn’t make it right.
It’s a whole different culture now – a visual one. What are some ways you think we might encourage people to move out of their comfort zone so we can take the Gospel to people where they are?
Much depth and thought, thank you.
Good question Mary – I’m thinking that music with words or a story is impacting and can influence people’s spirits to respond positively or drop boundaries. I think of the Indiana Jones movies or the star wars movies where the scenes may have been laughable or ridiculous but the music manipulates the viewer to see and experience what the director wants you to experience. Maybe art presented with appropriately coordinating music would be helpful and move people from awkward to inspiring. Tip: whenever I’m watching a scary scene in a movie I turn down the sound or plug my ears. It’s very effective in lowering my fear. 🙂
Oh, the irony of listening to a book on images– love it!
“Where words fail to reach people, images draw people in and unite all religions and races as we connect over passionately created beauty.” I believe you’ve hit squarely on what both Dyrness and the early church would say.
For your enjoyment: Kinkade Meets Star Wars– http://io9.gizmodo.com/thomas-kinkades-cottage-paintings-upgraded-with-star-wa-1456764815
LOL!! Love the pictures of Star Wars and Kinkade. Never saw those before. Thanks for the laughs.
Jennifer, I appreciate your thought that when words fail, images can draw people together and even to Christ. It reminds me of the icons in the Orthodox church in the eastern part of Europe. I remember hearing that the icons served several purposes—one of which was to tell the story of Christ to those who could not read or write. I found that very interesting and enlightening.
I have recently been doing some research on how visual journaling can help leaders to find creative solutions, aid in their self-awareness and also in spiritual development. There is something about visual art that touches the soul like no other expression. Even a simple picture, like in the bulletin at Katy’s church, can express something that words cannot. Thanks Jennifer!
‘I look forward to experiences where we give more encouragement and value to the expression of artful work and creative worship experiences, instead of creating futile controversies that detour us from creative expressions for our Creator. And where images are not absent due to our “rights being restricted” but rather invited to complement the words of the gospel.’
Jennifer – I couldn’t agree more! I truly don’t believe that when we get into the ‘restricting of rights’ it has anything to do with honoring God or following Jesus – Instead it is about creating means to judge and separate people. Mostly as a means of justifying ourselves.
Jennifer I do believe that our controversial distrations can detour or take us away from our creative expressions. I also, believe that some of our creative expressions give way to having the tough conversations that allow for us to sit in the intersection of the tension as we do life together.