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What role do religion play in art
Essay about early Christian art
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The Value of Art
Art can be misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misplaced in modern society. This is especially true in the life of Christians. Many Christians completely disregard art because they think it is a form of self-worship, a waste of time, or simply have no idea how to approach art. Some Christians will even avoid art museums, performances, and discussions because they do not want anything to do with art. Is something wrong with this negative approach to art? Should Christians participate in or avoid art in its various forms? Can Christians assess and appreciate art in a godly manner? Can studying art actually be beneficial to Christians? These are all questions that have been asked by many believers. Attempting to answer these questions takes the believer along a journey of understanding their own beliefs of art, increasing their knowledge about the bible, and learning what God's desire for the role of art is in their life.
The first thing Christians should do as they begin their journey of understand the role art has in their life is to read the bible to determine if they should even learn about art. Each Christian needs to grapple with the idea of whether art is even allowable in a Christian's life. As soon as the Christian starts reading the bible, he might note that God refers to man as His creation by describing mankind as his work of art. In Isaiah 64:8 it says, "We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." The reference of God creating man as a work of art is significant. Art cannot be inherently wrong if God created mankind in his image, and used art to explain his work in creation. As Christians continue to read through the Bible, they will find that it is full of art. Specifically...
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...que, Peter. "The Uselessness Of Art." Journal of Aesthetics & Art Criticism 68.3 (2010): 205-214. Art & Architecture Complete. Web. 3 Dec. 2013
Maute, Mary Jo. "Lake Whatcom Washington, Elizabeth Colborne." What Makes It Art. Whatcom Musueum, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. .
Ryken, Philip. "The Importance of the Arts in Christian Higher Education." Transpositions. Arras Word Press Theme, 12 Aug. 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. .
The Holy Bible, New International Version: Containing the Old Testament and the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Bible, 1985. Print.
Uidhir, Mag Christy. "Why Pornography Can't Be Art." Philosophy and Literature 33.1 (2009): 193-203.Project MUSE. Web. 4 Dec. 2013. .
Berry points out that art comes does not birth something new rather “...it begins in other arts, in attitudes and ideas antecedent to any art, in nature, and in inspiration” (Berry 305). He also discusses how art should be used to bring glory to God.
Art educates. This education can be both positive and negative but art can function as an educational tool that has lasting effects. A 2009 article in the New York Times titled: “Schools Adopt Art as Building Block of Education” indicates the growing acceptance of art functioning in education. In this article, the unique architecture of the building was used practically by students “measuring whimsical figures of hot-air balloons, paper airplanes and pinwheels built right into the walls of their school” (par. 1). The architecture also functioned as inspiration for further learning. In addition, the article documented the perspective of a four-year old child who proclaimed that “When you look at it, it helps you learn.” (par. 20) When Jeremiah looked at the image of heaven and hell he learned significant life lessons. This picture that was presented in residential school ...
People can have many different opinions depending on a topic, but what is truly difficult is getting a complete level of understanding from every opinion, or understanding the point of view of each opinion. Even accepting the points of view can be difficult for some people, who believe that their opinions are right. Luckily, people can learn about the other person’s frame of reference, and at the very least understand the topic or the person a little better. This particular topic is art, which is known for its multiple possible perceptions or its many different messages that it can send a person or group of people. In this way, people can learn more about the thought processes and feelings of others. Unfortunately, with differing opinions,
I am an artist. That is not a disclaimer or a boast; it is a statement of position. I believe in the undeniable importance of art and the futility of censorship. I also believe that art is one of the best indicators of the mood of a culture. Scholars, doctors, therapists, and lawyers can attempt to explain us to ourselves, but their testimony, while useful, will almost always be dry and lacking in emotional depth. I am proud to write in defense of a group that predates and outlasts all other professional analysts of the human condition-creators of art.
...contradictions. Art is the medium through which humans explore life’s great questions and test its boundaries. Armed with the belief that ordered civlization will prevail, the artist—poet, metalworker, painter, actor—is free to enter into the batlle of ideals.
The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha. New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.
When one talks about art there are many aspects that they could be talking about. Art could be seen as a painting but it could also be seen as a sculpture or sketch. When thinking about art the possibilities of how it could be used is endless. Art could be used in interior decorating or designing something extraordinary but it could also be used as self-expression of suppressed feelings that are unknown to the consciousness.
The premodern philosophy in relation to art can then be divided into two separate and distinct areas, namely the Hellenistic and the Medieval. The latter saw art as a mimetic actively or a second-hand reflection of the original source of meaning; that which is above man. In the biblical sense, this would refer to Yahweh or God (Kearney, 1994:115). This was followed by the belief that the imagination (and therefore that which came from the imagination) was a mere counterfeit of the original being (Kearney, 1994:117). As art could never be perfect and was always an interpretation of the imagination, the iconography (representational paintings) of Christ and the Saints had to therefore follow strict rules in order to show no emotion. This was no ensure that the icon which was being represented was being worshiped and never the painting itself.
Holy Bible: the New King James Version, Containing the Old and New Testaments.Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Bibles, 1982. Print.
The Holy Bible: giant print ; containing the Old and New Testaments translated out of the original tongues ; and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, by His Majesty's special command, authorized King James version ; words of Chri. Giant print reference ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1994.
The most influential theme in art for centuries was that of religion. There have been many things that have influenced art over the generations. Nothing has had the impact on the art world that religions has. Many of the ancient art works were dedicated to the gods or other religious figures. The statues of the Ancient Egyptians were not just for beauty. Instead, they were representations of the gods and were meant to have significant meaning to the people who saw them. The people of the time knew the meaning of every reed, flower, bird, or animal that was depicted in the art. The same is true of the Greeks and Romans. Most of the art was inspired by the gods and the mythology of the region. Art as a way of imparting a message dominates the art world. For most of history, art had a meaning that was often connected to the religion of the region. This is fitting since art has a sense of permanence that most other mediums do not possess.
Art through the ages has been a powerful voice for both secular and religious ideas, and the treasury of Christian art should not be relegated to museum viewing. The art should be displayed in the church were it is meant to be. Its richness can be brought to people in schools and adult study groups. This, in turn, can help to bring art up to the level, that the faith deserves. Churches should fill the walls with art to show what happened throughout the bible. Art creates connections and associations between what we see and what we sense happened. Both ritual and art challenge us to take us beyond the immediate, if they are to bring about true insight and transformation in our lives.
Throughout the ages art has played a crucial role in life. Art is universal and because art is everywhere, we experience it on a daily basis. From the houses we live in (architecture) to the movies we see (theatre) to the books that we read (literature). Even in ancient culture art has played a crucial role. In prehistoric times cave dwellers drew on the wall of caves to record history. In biblical times paintings recorded the life and death of Christ. Throughout time art has recorded history. Most art is created for a specific reason or purpose, it has a way of expressing ideas and beliefs, and it can record the experiences of all people.
Bibles, Crossway. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version: Containing the Old and New Testaments. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010. Print.
Art has been one of the most inspiring actions to humans throughout the whole history of mankind. Art represented in its various forms is