The Use Of Bible Art

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___ 'THE PAINTER IN HIS STUDIO ' ___
Giclee Print / By Francois Bouchur
Availalbe at: Art com
This painting is ©  all rights reserved by the Artist/Licensee

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___Preface ___

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The Artistry and Beauty of God's Creation

 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" -- Romans 1:19-20

 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge." -- Psalm 19:1-2 ,  See also:  ( 2 Chronicles 3:1-2  ) and  ( 1 Kings 6:1-4 )

 "The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious:and his righteousness endureth for ever 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered:" -- Psalm 111:2-4

  { Bezaleel and Oholiab the Craftsmen: } "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;" -- Exodus 31:1-6 ,  See also: ( Exodus 25:1-40 ), ( Exodus 40:1-33 ) and  ( Hebrews 9:1-10 )

  { Materials for the Tabernacle: } "And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, 5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, 6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, 7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, 8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, 9 And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate." -- Exodus 35:4-9

 "Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work." -- Exodus 35:35

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,   ART  as the  Bible for the illiterate Community in both the Old Testament  and New Testament Times. It continues Today around the World.  By Looking at  Drawings, Paintings,  Sculptures, Carvings, Stained Glass, and other forms of Art, the People who could Not read learned about Creation, God, the Saints, and about the life of Christ, the Gospel, and the basic information of Christianity. 

   IN the AncientTimes, God instructed the intricate Building, Carvings, and Design of the Temples, Artifacts, and Garments. This is because Beauty, one of the transcendent Qualities of God, cannot be put into Words; it must be Seen.

   VISUAL help by Signs and Symbols, like the Fish, Anchor, and Cross, were used Through most of Christian history to establish Christian identity.  Stories from the Old and New Testaments were brought to life in narrative Illustrations filled with enlightening Shapes and Beautiful colors.

   EVEN the Architectural Design of the Church Building was used to Instruct the Faithful who Couldn't Read. The  Crucifix was a Reminder of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection.  Everywhere one looked there was a Visible, Material Art as a reminder of the fundamental Christian truth communicated Without words. Review [ Part  III:  The Purpose For This Website ]  below.  Also, See Tab Page: [ The Use Of Bible Art ] which contains Commentary and Different Viewpoints- Pro and Con - from Artists and Other Sources.  Also See Tab Page: [ Index To Bible Art ] for Location of all Art Used on this Site by Section Page, Topic, and Cross-referenced by Artist and/or Source. 

 God's Artistry Is Everywhere   

                                                                      ~ CONSIDER THE LILIES ~                                                                                                                                                  By Artist Ron DiCianni                                                                                                                                                   Available at: RonDiCianni.com                                                                                                                    This painting is © all rights reserved by the Artist/Licensee

                                                            ~ MY BELOVED SON ~                                                                                                                         by Artist: Danny Hahlbohm                                                                                                                    Available at: FineArtAmerica                                                                   This painting is © all rights reserved by the Artist/Licensee

Commentary Message
Pictures of Jesus
by
Artist/Writer: Danny Hahlbohm

Jan 2010
Inspired Art by Danny Hahlbohm

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"You know, 40 years ago when I was on tour with my Christian artwork, led by the Lord for His glory and honor, I use to get similar questions frequently.

 "How do you know what Jesus looks like?"

 "Jesus does not have long hair."

  "Jesus was black."

  "Jesus had curly hair." 

 The list goes on but it seems everyone has their own personal take on what Jesus looks like.

 I even had some tell me exactly what you described, that using pictures of Jesus is Idolatry! 

 All I can tell you is, when I was in my 20's one day after work (I worked selling fruits and vegetables then), I came home and fell on my knees in my basement being over whelmed by the Holy Spirit and God's love.  It was so wonderful I wept like a baby. When I finally got my composure I looked up toward Heaven and I asked Him, "Lord you are so good to me, your love is so wonderful. Let me do something for you Lord."

 God's answer (loud and quite clear)...  use the talent I gave you.  From then on (over 40 years ago) as they say, is history.

 Have I personally ever seen Jesus? No

 Had I been given direct specifications on what he looks like to paint Him? No.

 Does it matter if my portrait of Christ is technically accurate to create Him in a painting so it will bless others? ... No.

 In all the conversations I had with others (mentioned here above) once they expressed their point of view I asked them, "Well, what do you see Jesus looking like?"   To which a multitude of answers and descriptions emerged each time. Once they had explained their point of view I would usually say. "You're probably right."

  Of course they would be shocked at my answer and add: "Well why don't you paint him that way then?"   My final reply would be, "We each see Jesus as we want Him to be in our mind. Tall, short, muscular, thin, dark hair, wavy hair, white, black..... it all doesn't matter how we see Him... the important thing is, that we see Him!" 

 Christ is everything to everyone, it would not surprise me in the least if we all saw Him looking differently in heaven yet in truth He would be as He always has... King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

  I have painted Christ hundreds of times over my 40+ year career and each time He is a little different.  To me it is more about recognizing and feeling Christ in a painting then simply being accurate in a facial description. I rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my hand, and not just in painting alone.  I pray over my paintings that they will bless a home when hung up. It is a visual reminder of Christ in our lives. 

 If we were to say "any picture of Christ is wrong and only represents idolatry" then we had better not have any pictures of our family or loved ones either.  We carry our family photos because our loved ones are dear to our heart, special to us, cherished.  And so it is with our pictures of our most blessed loved one Christ himself.

   None the less, the Bible states that we should do all things as unto the Lord and if a brother or sister is offended by pictures of the Lord then so be it.  If it is a stumbling block for them then I will respect their point of view without forcing the issue or mocking them for what they feel in their heart.  

   Even though God specifically told Peter it was ok to eat all things given from God not just some as the Jews believed, still God said to respect their view point if it is a stumbling block to them and not push the issue. Same holds true here.

   Final point if I may...

   I love being surrounded by the presence of God;  Being reminded of Christ in various places I go into or in shops where I buy. Actually it would deeply sadden my heart to think I would have to be in a world where pictures of Christ were outlawed and forbidden.

   If we can praise him in song, then we can praise Him visually as well.

   Let all things praise and give honor unto the Lord!  Amen."

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                                                               ~ LION OF JUDAH ~                                                                                                                               by Artist: Danny Hahlbohm                                                                                                               Available at: FineArtAmerica                                                                                            This painting is © all rights reserved by the Artist/Licensee

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                                                            ~ AMAZING GRACE ~                                                                                                                              by Artist: Bill Stephens                                                                                                                   Available at: Bill Stephens Digital Art                                                    This painting is © all rights reserved by the Artist/Licensee

WE recently corresponded with a wonderful bible artist, Bill Stephens of  Bill Stephens Digital Art, who told us why he stopped painting pictures of the face of Jesus.  Now he feels very strongly about this.   In one email to us, he shared his strong viewpoint. It's good to show different opinions - even though we don't agree.

HE said he previously painted pictures of Jesus until he spoke with the late well-know pastor, Vernon Magee, who told him that he was guilty of making graven images with his early art.  At first he thought that it was just his opinion, but a few years later, he said the Lord let him know  that he was indeed guilty.   Now perhaps He Misunderstood, but it Made a Difference.   Since then, he said he has Never put a Face to the Lord again in his Art."

SEE his below Commentary that he Wrote for us to show the Other Viewpoint on"Using Pictures of Jesus in Art."

A Different Viewpoint

Commentary Message
Pictures Of Jesus
by
                                                      Artist/Writer: Bill Stephens                                                                                                                              of                                                                             Bill Stephens Digital Art

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In general, Art is made to portray the images and colors of the world around us. There is Art made to explore creativity, and who knows what is next or even what it may represent. Then there is Art which tries to communicate something to all who see it. Biblical Art is the most serious attempt at artistic communication. Generally, biblical Art has consisted of pictures of ?Jesus?, or maybe Noah?s ark. But then there is the most difficult, ?picturing? theology (that which is true about the Lord).

   An artist may be likened onto a song writer. Rare is the songwriter who is also a teacher of the Bible. And rare is indeed an artist who is a serious teacher of the Bible. Because of this, biblical Art is often not correct. When we look at all the pictures of the face of Christ, one must wonder which one is correct. The truth is.... none of them, because you can?t make a picture of anyone?s face that you have never seen. When an artist does that,  they actually are ?misrepresenting? the Lord, for the Lord is very serious about being represented correctly.  

   Perhaps the most famous biblical painting was done by Michelangelo where the creator reaches down to touch the finger of Adam. Is that a  ?biblical painting?? Adam looks good, but when the artist took the liberty to show the Creator as an old bearded man, he lost all biblical reasoning. It all makes you wonder what biblical paintings the Lord really approved of. 

   That is why I painted my favorite biblical art piece called "Amazing Grace". I've been told it's my most powerful art.In the painting it shows the hand of the Lord on the cross as the blood drips down from the nail in His wrist.  There is a violent storm raging in the background, and there is a little human fetus nestled in His mighty hand. Such a painting tells the viewer Who it is, What He is doing, and Whom He is doing it for. This is true biblical painting in which theology is not only correct, but it speaks in the most powerful way possible.  

   Art can communicate to anyone, and it can be the most powerful communicator. It can also be just another  ?pretty picture?. What an artist produces reveals who they are and what they see as being important to them. It?s up to the artist what they are willing to be remembered for . This is true for us all in whatever we may ?produce? with our lives.  -

Blessings.

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                                                                         ~ FAITH ~                                                                                                                                     by Artist: Bill Stephens                                                                                                                     Available at: Bill Stephens Digital Art                                                         This painting is © all rights reserved by the Artist/Licensee

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 Publisher's Commentary   

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Displaying Fine Art Pictures of Jesus 

PUBLISHER'S COMMENTARY
ARTIST'S PERSPECTIVES
&
DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS

   THIS is our Humble and Sincere Publisher's Commentary on the above Subject. 

   HOWEVER,  please Read the excellent Professional Artist Perspectives of Artist/Writer Danny Hahlbohm of FineArtAmerica  (formerly Inspired-Art com) and Artist/Writer Bill Stephens of  Bill-Stephens.Pixels.com below for a more Elequantly Written explanations of Differing Viewpoints.

   ALSO, we have Included a Link to the Website: GotQuestions org that addresses their Opinion of a Negative Viewpoint of the Subject - opposing opinon.  We think Highly of this Recommended Site and this is the only Subject we have Found there in which we Disagree. 

   PLUS, see other Links and Referred Resources as Noted below.

Publisher's Commentary

   IN the Scriptures, God says for us Not to Worship Graven Images, Statues, Leaders, anything or anyone other than God Himself.  This was because throughout the Ancient Times, and even Still in our own Modern Times, people of various Religions and Beliefs have worshiped many Gods or Idols instead of the One True God.

   IT is Important to Note that it Doesn't have to be a Statue for us to worship or idolize something over God.  It can be Money, another Person, a Pet, our Hobby, a Sport, a Goal, or even Self.  It can be Anything that we put before God. 

   THE text of the Ten Commandments accoding to the Book of Exodus begins: "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 3 You must not have any other god but me. 4 You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5a You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." - Exodus 20:2-5a 

   JESUS came to Earth as the Incarnation of God, The Lord in Human Form, for Many important Reasons. He came to experience all of the Joys, Temptations, Pains, and Sorrows of mankind and to Show that He was able to Overcome sin and that He truly Understands our Challenges as Humans. He was an Example for us to Strive to Match and showed us what it meant to be a Servant of Others.

   HE also came to Us as a real Human Person so that We Might Relate to Him and Touch Him and See Him and Talk to Him. He Spoke in different Languages so people could Understand Him. Jesus was Unassuming and Average looking so All races could feel Close to Him. He taught the Scriptures and gave Sermons about what God expects of us. He sent forth the Apostles and Disciples to carry on His Word throughout the Land.

   THE Lord, Christ Jesus, wanted Us to See Him.   As the Only Sinless Human, He gave His Blood for Us as a Sacrifice and Atonement to Pay Our Penalty to Cover our Sins so All might have Salvation.  He Died, was Buried and, after three days, was Resurrected into a New Eternal Body that was Different but eventually Recognizable. He kept the Scars of His Crucifixion - Nail Holes in His hands and feet  and the Cut into his side from the Roman Sword - so that People could see and Believe.

   HE was able to Appear in and leave a room Without using a door and people were able to See these events. The Disciple Thomas even had to touch the wounds of Jesus to Believe - hense the term 'Doubting Thomas'.

"Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, 'We have seen the Lord.' So he said to them, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.' " - John 20:24-25

"And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, 'Peace to you!' 27 Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.'  28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!' " - John 20:26-28

   PEOPLE by nature Desire to See before they have Faith. This is why We feel an Art based Bible Website will be Helpful to Get People started. 

   GOD asks us to have Faith even though we cannot See. We Teach The Scriptures and Guide People to The Bible and many Great learning Resources so they will gradually Understand - which should Lead them to Research and Learn on their Own. The Point is to Encourage getting into the Word in the First Place. Visual Art is Important.

Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." - John 20:29

   ALSO,  Jesus visited with and Appeared to over 500 People after His Resurrection to Show that We may be able to be Given a new Resurrected Body like His also. He was Raptured into the Clouds in View of Many. People Painted and Wrote and Spoke about what they had Seen, and passed it on to future Generations. Visual Proof was Important in God's plan.  Visit Tab Page: Christ Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah and JesusGift and A Salvation Prayer

   WE sincerely feel we are Honoring and Remembering and Sharing Jesus through Art. So we have included select works of many Christian and Biblical Artists that portray good non-ethnic depictions of Jesus. It is also valuable Visual Biblical History and a way to share His Messages.

   HUMANS learn in Different ways, and Pictures are important too as well as Writing and Word-of-Mouth teaching.

   IN this day, there are fewer and fewer People studying the Bible, or they are attending Churches that have Watered Down the Holy Scriptures. Many other Lands have People that do not have a Personal Relationship with Jesus, Do Not Believe, or can't even Read. We see a need to Encourage all People to get back into the Word of God while there is still time. Visual Art is an Optional way of reaching People to help Lead them to Learn the Truth. The Internet Age can help those in Countries with access to Technology and Cellphones.

   RECENTLY , we heard a Pastor on the Radio, who feels Bible Art is good, say that Jesus likely never told His Disciples not to tell anyone what He looked like. That is a good point. (See other Reference Links on this Subject below.)

   WE feel that Looking at Beautiful Fine Art depictions of Jesus only Reminds us of God and our Love for Him and of His Love for us. It can snap us back from the Challenges of Daily Life. We don't know of anyone who "worships" a Picture of Jesus. And, we do not think this is what God meant as he was talking to those worshiping other Idols and gods before Him.

   ALTHOUGH we Don't feel it's Important for us to Know what Jesus looked like, it's Understandable Interest and brings us closer.

   JESUS walked amongs the people in His new Resurrected Body so they could See. His Beaten Body was replaced by His new Eternal body. This gives us Hope for those of us who are Beaten, Aged, and Imperfect. Jesus Promised that, someday, we we have New Eternal bodies also like His. The most Important factor is Where we will spend this Eternity.

   THE rituals of our Catholic brothers and sisters of bowing to the Cross or Statue of Jesus may not be worshiping Idols, but we feel this practice may be close to Pushing the Limit as many seem to think of the statue as alive. As long as a person is aware that this is just Reverance and in Reminder - and it is just a statue - it may be acceptable to God because it's not another god.

   SO perhaps the Worship of Mary, Prayers to Saints, Worship of the Pope, and even Confession to Priests is surely unacceptable to God.  He wants us to have a Personal Relationship with Him alone.  For More Information and Resources on this Subject: Visit Tab Page:  World Faiths, Religions, & Beliefs.

   ALSO, one Pastor's Sermon mentioned that Jesus was Resurrected to Heaven to be with His Father and is No Longer on the Cross.  He was Victorious Over the Cross.    Although it is good through Art to show History, a statue of Jesus still on the Cross is not recognizing the fact that he is No Longer There.  Again, it could be acceptable to God as long as it's just in Rememberance - we can't say.  If you are of the Catholic Religion, we hope that you are Willing to Learn more so you can Understand the Viewpoint of non-Catholics and Perhaps be Regenerated in the Right Direction.

   WHILE we Should Never Condemn Others - especially other Christian Believers, we must Minister to all other Faiths when we can.  So it's important to be solidly Educated in their Beliefs and Practices so we can Share and Teach with Love.

"And behold, a voice out of the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.' - Matthew 3:17

"While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" - Matthew 17:5

Cick Here  for  Youtube Video Link 

Art in church history has played a significant role in Western culture 1. Here are some key points:

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  From late antiquity to the Counter-Reformation, Western art was essentially the art of the church 1.
• Christian art could be found in private homes, churches, and public spaces1.
• Church art serves as an educational tool to teach biblical stories and concepts to the faithful 2.
• Artists were highly valued by the Church and employed to create religious works of art and architecture 3.
• The emergence of Christian art in the early church was influenced by the importance of images in Greco-Roman culture 4.

Tintoretto, Jacopo, Crucifixion, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice

A Brief History • Art in the Church

https://www.godscreativepeople.com/history-of-art-in-the-church

The Rise of Christian Art

For centuries, art has been used in the Christian Church to express and share one's faith. Art has added beauty and has aided teaching in the Church, but due to differing Biblical perspectives, it has also caused division.

Fear of persecution caused early Christians to hide their artwork in catacombs, but the importance of creating art was never questioned. Symbols became increasingly important and were used as visual representations of their faith – many of which are still used today. An example of this is the shepherd carrying the sheep (Fig 1) which represents Christ (John 10:11-18) and visually symbolizes God's love for his people.

Once Constantine legalized the Christian faith in 313, churches were built and adorned with Biblical imagery. Through the centuries that followed, artists were highly valued by the Church, employed to create religious works of art and architecture. The imagery developed and evolved over time and began to include the disciples, saints, and Mary, coordinating with the liturgy's theological teachings. (Fig 2) The Church believed that beautiful Christian imagery helped the viewer worship God more fully, bringing them into a deeper understanding of God's divinity.

During the 12th century, the Neoplatonist philosophy of Dionysius the Pseudo Areopagite taught that beauty, extravagance and light connected your soul to that of the Divine. This philosophy led to even more extravagance in Churches with soaring ceilings and walls of stained glass (Fig 3), lifting one's eyes to Heaven, creating a sense of awe and wonder and connecting your soul with the Divine.

The Renaissance was the pinnacle of religious artwork, and the Church was now responsible for most of the artwork produced anywhere in the world. The art contained nude bodies, realistic narrative, geometric perspective and ornate beauty. Artwork, such as the stained glass windows, told scriptural stories so those who were illiterate could still learn during the mass. The art also included detailed imagery of the realities of Christ's incarnation (Fig 4) – pain, suffering and sadness - furthering the emotional and spiritual connection to God through art. 

The Fall of Christian Art

The Protestant Reformation fundamentally changed this longstanding relationship between art and the Church. Reformed Theologian John Calvin was extreme in his belief against art being used in worship, saying:

"…everything respecting God which is learned from images is futile and false."

(John Calvin - Quoted from Institutes of the Christian Religion - Christian Classics Ethereal Library)

The Reformation (1517 - 1648) saw widespread destruction of artwork within churches. Reformers believed that visual meditation was unnecessary if you simply studied scripture (sola scriptura), lived a life of piety and reduced visual distractions. They firmly believed that art used in worship was a form of idolatry and directly broke the second commandment. (Exodus 20:4-5)

Reformed Churches built during this time were much less ornate and the focus was (and continues to be) on the printed Word, not on imagery. (Fig 5) 

Although art was not wholly discarded after the Reformation, the split in the Church between Catholics and Protestants impeded any new progress within the Church for centuries. Beautiful Christian art was still created, but most were for use in the home, not in the Church. Works depicting a simple everyday life of the faith - prayer, (Fig 6) meals or work – as well as landscapes, still life and portraits - became popular within Christian art circles.

A Hopeful Future

The 20th century began to see a shift in the way the Church viewed the use of art. Some churches have moved beyond the rigid understanding of the second commandment forbidding the creation of graven images. They have come to understand that this is not a command not to create art, but more a warning of the dangers behind the misuse and worship of art instead of God.

The church now looks to other Bible verses, revealing the true importance of creativity found in humanity.

Exodus 25-27 tells the story of how God explicitly instructed the Israelites to create and artistically decorate the Tabernacle – the earthly home of God – including cherubs, flowers and even (imaginative) blue pomegranates.

1 Kings 7 gives an account of the building of Sampson's Palace, said to be the most beautiful in the world.

God directs these artistic projects, ordering artists and artisans to create art and architecture to bring glory to God – not become the object of worship itself.

Looking to the beginning of all things, Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created…" The first thing we learn about God – the first thing revealed about Them* at all - is that They are creative. The Genesis creation account teaches that an artistic creator has uniquely formed us and that we have been made in Their image. This image does not mean that we physically look like God, but that we are created emotionally, spiritually and creatively like God. Creativity is in our spiritual DNA, so how can we now, as the Church, use this God-gifted creativity?

This is what I hope to discover through my research, my art and the development of this website and community. 

*The person of Jesus I refer to as he/him, because he was a physical male while on earth, but I believe that God is a 3-being spirit with no gender. I make all attempts to refer to God as God or They/Them. This is difficult due to my upbringing in the Reformed Christian faith, (read: I might miss some!) but today I believe that God, as the Trinity, does not hold a physical gender, male or female, but holds both male and female qualities within Their personality.

Tintoretto, Jacopo, Crucifixio,  Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice
 
 
© 2023 Cherie Michels. All rights reserved. No images or information may be reproduced, transmitted or copied.

LINKS & REFERENCES 

WEBSITE:    ' Art and the Bible '

DVD SERIES:     'Recovering The Beauty of the Arts' - 3  Disks with 9 Topics -   by Dr. R.C. Sproul

Visit Tab Page: 'History of Art in the Church' for an Outline of above DVD Series.

BOOK:   'Art for God?s Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts' by Philip Ryken

From: "Art of the Bible" Link to:  Glossary of Art

BELOW is the link to a good Commentary and Expository on 'The Roman Catholic Church' by renound paster, speaker, author: John MacArthur of Grace To You Ministries.  

LISTEN or Read  Eight (8) good Archive Expository Sermons on The Cathoic Religion.   Click Link:  GTY org

BOOKS:

ART FOR GOD'S SAKE'
by Philip Graham Ryken

The creation sings to us with the visual beauty of God s handiwork. But what of man-made art? Much of it is devoid of sacred beauty and is often rejected by Christians. Christian artists struggle to find acceptance within the church.
If all of life is to be viewed as under the lordship of Christ, can we rediscover what God s plan is for the arts? Philip Graham Ryken brings into sharp focus a biblical view of the arts and the artists who make art for God s sake. This is a concise yet comprehensive treatment of the major issue of the arts for all who seek answers.

'ART NEEDS NO JUSTIFICATION' 
by Hans R. Rookmaaker

Artists often agonize over their work, even to the point of despair, in the modern world. This booklet by one of the twentieth century's most incisive art historians and cultural critics is a prophetic call to artists-craftsmen, musicians, visual artists and others-in all walks of life to "weep, pray, think and work."

Hans R. Rookmaaker (1922-1977), founder of the art history department and professor of the history of art at the Free University of Amsterdam, made a significant contribution to the Christian understanding of art and is well known as the author of Modern Art and the Death of a Culture (1970). The Complete Works of Hans Rookmaaker (6 vols.) was published in 2003.

"Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts'  (Paperback)
by Steve Turner  (Author)

Imagine art that is risky, complex and subtle! Imagine music, movies, books and paintings of the highest quality! Imagine art that permeates society, challenging conventional thinking and standard morals to their core! Imagine that it is all created by Christians! This is the bold vision of Steve Turner, someone who has worked among artists--many Christian and many not--for three decades. He believes Christians should confront society and the church with the powerful impact art can convey. He believes art can faithfully chronicle the lives of ordinary people and equally express the transcendence of God. He believes that Christians should be involved in every level of the art world and in every media. Yet art and artists have not always been held in high esteem by conservative Christians. Art rarely seems to communicate clear propositional truth, rarely deals with certainties and absolutes. And the lifestyles of artists too frequently seem at odds with the gospel. So the arts have often been discouraged among Christians. Throughout this stimulating book, however, Turner builds a compelling case against such a perspective. He shows that if Jesus is Lord of all of life and creation, then art is not out of bounds for Christians. Rather it can and should be a way of expressing faith in creatively, beautifully, truthfully arranged words, sounds and sights. This stirring call is must reading for every Christian who has been drawn to the arts or been influenced by them.

'For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts' (Paperback)
by W. David O. Taylor  (Editor), Luci Shaw (Foreword)

Think of your local church. Without artmusic, song, dance, etc.it would be a much poorer place. But if protestants have any vision for the arts, it tends to be a thin one. This unique book is an attempt to contribute to a robust, expansive vision for the church and the arts. Its specific aim is to show how the many parts of the landscape of church and art hold together. You can think of it as a kind of helicopter flyover, but one with expert pilots. The guides include the likes of Eugene Peterson, Lauren Winner, Jeremy Begbie, Andy Crouch, and John Witvliet, helping to inspire readers and empower pastor leaders with a vision of the church and the arts that is compelling, far seeing, and profoundly transformative.

It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God Paperback
by Ned Bustard  (Editor)

This book is a collection of over twenty essays on issues relating to making art from a Christian perspective. The volume is filled with color artwork from Michelangelo to Makoto Fujimura and from Rembrandt to Tim Hawkinson.