What Defines Art as 'Christian?'

The following quote from ML’E is in response to invitations to speak on and/or write about “Christian Art.”

“Christian art? Art is art; painting is painting; music is music; a story is a story. If it’s bad art, it’s bad religion, no matter how pious the subject. If it’s good art . . . and there the questions start coming, questions which it would be simpler to evade. 

. . . all art is cosmos, cosmos found within chaos . . . some artists look at the world around them and see chaos, and instead of discovering cosmos, they reproduce chaos, on canvas, in music, in words. As far as I can see, the reproduction of chaos is neither art, nor is it Christian.  

So perhaps the reason I shuddered at the idea of writing something about “Christian art” is that to paint a picture or to write a story or compose a song is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birth-giver.”  Madeleine L’Engle Walking on Water.   

That’s a lot to chew on, isn’t it? I’m still trying to decide if I completely agree with ML’E in this particular instance.

What I don’t think ML’E means to say is that only the best artist should become artists, or that if you are very skilled, you’re obviously a Christian (or even spiritual). In the context of the chapter’s entirety, it seems that ML’E is using generalities. When artists create art to the best of their God-given abilities (regardless of whether they know Who gave them their ability), it is a reflection on the Creator.

To that extent, I do agree with what ML’E is purporting. However, I also believe that art is extremely subjective and for me to look at someone else’s best efforts and make a judgment call that this is “bad religion,” may be taking the idea too far. What may turn me off or leave me unimpressed may have the opposite effect on someone else.

Still, I find it intriguing to consider ML’E’s take on the subject in a broad sense. The Lord has used many secular songs to encourage me, poignant movies to inspire me, great non-Christian books to move me towards belief and faith in Him. These spiritual connections were probably never intended or considered by those that created them. But because they produced their vision so faithfully, it found a connection inside of me. It resonated.

How we perceive art, in my opinion, boils down to our own worldview. If my belief-system proclaims that this life is all there is—and we are all striving in the survival of the fittest—I’m going to see chaos, or find disdain, where none is intended. Or perhaps I will feel comfort, and a connection, in horrific art that seems to relate to my inner angst.

What thoughts do such sweeping statements evoke in you? Do you agree with what ML’E says? Am I taking her statements all wrong?

One thing I fully embrace is that art “is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birth-giver.” How many ideas have seemingly pounced on my imagination? How many times has inspiration throttled my grey matter and prodded me out of bed because it couldn’t wait?

Can you relate? Do you feel like your stories, your art, your stimulus comes from outside of yourself? Doesn’t it almost feel, in a small, seed-like way, like it already exists (in the mind of God who is gracious enough to share it) . . . but it needs your nourishment, your flair, your gifting in order to flourish?

What do you think . . . is there ultimately such a thing as “Christian art?” Do you feel like the creative process is an “incarnational activity?”

P.S. It appears my Mac doesn’t believe this assertion. It keeps telling me there’s no such word as “incarnational.”