The Christian Art Debate: Sugar-Sweet, Ironic, Naïve, and Talented

CHRISTIANITY TODAY
By N.D. Wilson

Art exhibition explores creation and new ideas of expression

For most people, Christianity and art no longer resonate as a glorious pairing. It's a sad and sorry truth that even as Christians, we've largely lost our respect and reverence for "Christian art." Everyone is insecure about the branding of Christian art. Everyone worries about being labeled cheesy—even the cheesiest people I know. Some artists delude themselves into thinking that they aren't, and others attempt to divorce their faith from their creations with a secular firewall. I come to you with strange news. Brace yourselves. Did a culture of atheism bring us Handel's Messiah? What faith fed the Dutch masters? Now before you start pointing to some of the unbelieving masters, watch me cheat: all beauty is God's. Even those who hate him are made in his image, and if they, by grace, craft glory, we should thank them very much for their contribution and swipe it. [link]