Tuesday, May 28, 2013

How to Discourage Artists in the Church

Phil Ryken, pastor emeritus of Philadelphia's Tenth Presbyterian and now President of Wheaton College, writes well (with some research from the local artist community) on why and how pastors and churches should encourage and celebrate the Christian artists. Ryken quotes Francis Schaeffer:


For a Christian, redeemed by the work of Christ and living within the norms of Scripture and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God—not just as tracts, but as things of beauty to the praise of God.

This article is very well needed. I feel that many Western churches and related institutions have a view of the arts that is a bit narrow and based too much in function and the writings of Leo Tolstoy. I'm trying so hard to stay off the proverbial soapbox right now. It's just my hope that church leaders can take these thoughts to heart.

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