Learning from President Lincoln to Build a Team of Rivals: Art + Religion

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By Ernest Disney-Britton

"Birth of Jesus" (2010) by Tom Torluemke

On Monday, I gave a tour to the Regional Board of Directors of the Disciples of Christ of the A&OPrize exhibition, "Religious Risks" at Indiana Interchurch Center. The experience reminded me of the book "Team of Rivals", where Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote about Abraham Lincoln's brilliant ability to bring together rivals as part of his administration. Isn't the conflict between the worlds of art and faith simply a rivalry between two great powers of influence?

In the newest issue of SEEN, Taylor Worley wrote: "Is moving beyond this conflict even possible? Can the rivalry be resolved?" Many artists, and clergy, make the argument that the rivalry is good. "Our job as artists is not to seek the easy way but to challenge society and open up some wounds, so that they can be cleaned rather than allow them to fester," said American Theatre director Peter Sellars. If this rivalry is a good thing, and that was the consensus amongst the Disciples on Monday, what should we be doing about it? I suggest we keep pushing engagement, and rejecting avoidance. We need to be more like Lincoln and bring the rivals together. It will benefit us all.