First, he reminds that no less than Augustine (in On Christian Doctrine<\/em>) argued that\u201cGod uses temporal things\u2026to show us the eternal reality for which our soul hungers\u2014the earthly sign points to and represents a spiritual reality (thought it does not directly mediate that reality). Echoing an openness to the surround culture, Augustine expressed the view that the world and Scripture are both full of signs that can lead us to God.\u201d[i] This is further evident in the Old Testament, where \u201chuman creators in the Bible are actually commanded by God to make objects that encourage the proper worship of God in the tabernacle and temple, so this activity could not have been proscribed in the second commandment.\u201d[ii]<\/p>\n Second, signs are meant to provide a challenge to one\u2019s view of life and reality. Here is where our visual culture is most open to the possibilities of learning and being influenced by a Christian viewpoint. \u201cBiblical images demand, when they are placed within the larger biblical context, a response of the whole person not simply to the image but ultimately to God\u2026 They do not speak only to change one\u2019s perception of the world, as all great art does, but to change one\u2019s life\u2026.\u201d[iii] The combination of biblical context with the image itself gives grounding to visual images that speaks clearly of that which it points: an ultimate and life-affirming reality. In a world that is so highly focused on symbols and signs, where seeing is as important (if not more so) than the written or spoken word, it seems that here is an essential way to communicate the reality of God to our culture. Further, our modern worshiping community, also coming from a visual culture, might better be challenged, formed and even transform through Biblical images.<\/p>\n Third, as the role of visual arts is to challenge our thinking and teach about life and reality, this has led museums becoming the new place of spiritual solace. As Dyrness writes: \u201cBut when religion divests itself of all symbolism and imaginative depth, as it has in the minds of many of our contemporaries, art can appear to be more attractive alterative. And artist and galleries often quite literally take on the role of spiritual sources.\u201d[iv] It is a shame that people now must go elsewhere to experience the spiritual power of art rather than in our churches. This reminds me of my first real connection with a piece of modern art (never my favorite style). It was while visiting\u2014of all places–the concentration camp at Dachau.<\/p>\n
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