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The Role of the Christian Artist in the World (Christy Sanborn 01/02)

Note: written for the Graduate Christian Fellowship's (GCF) vocation project (VP).  Now that the GCF site has been taken down, over time I'll post the pieces for your blessing.  Thank-you to all the alum who participated in this work.  Alumni friends, I would love to have to hear your current thoughts on your vocation.  Maybe we can have that conversation at the alumni reunion on April 21.  We'll have a 9am breakfast at the Seigfrieds, a 1pm reception most probably at the Adamson Wing, and an evening opportunity yet to be confirmed.  Email me for more details.  Current GCF activities can be found at http://www.u-connectpgh.org

In both the Church and the world, the Christian artist invites the kingdom of God, his presence, to govern by praising God to the audience through song, dance, drama, etc. For the Church, the artist participates in constructing a building. For the world, she constructs a bridge.

Before a piece is ever presented, it must be created. One way artists can participate in God's creativity is by allowing the Spirit of God to "brood over the chaos" in our hearts and minds. We "let go" of our projects and give them to him. Our fellowship with him while we wait produces a new creation. We don't have to be afraid of "writer's block" -- it is like the void before the world began. We trust God to make something out of nothing.

If a Christian artist is performing for Christians, the audience will be more likely to receive the art's benefits than members of the world. They listen with a more vulnerable ear because they fully agree with the message, are enjoying a family member's performance, and they are eager to grow close to God, for whom the performer is expressing love. In this way, we can edify our brothers and sisters -- collectively, we are the temple of God building one another up.

If a Christian artist performs for the world, chances are viewers are on their guard, even if the art presented is not labeled as "Christian". The world is accustomed to approaching art critically. If the work is presented or labeled as "Christian art" and has a comparatively low standard for quality, the world is much more likely to defend itself from the power of the message because it feels offended, attacked, and "preached at".

While even "labeled" art can touch individuals in a secular audience, Jesus called all of his followers, including artists, to be "wise as a serpents and innocent as doves". Knowing that the world is fearful of the Christian message, we can show empathy by building bridges through creating art that both we and they can relate to, that speaks their language, and is aesthetically pleasing according to the highest standards possible.

Christians are presented with enormous challenges while working with non-Christians in the art world. In general, I have found it almost a daily experience that someone will indirectly and often directly express hatred for Christianity and Christians, whether through conversation or in their artwork. We as Christians must learn to not be defensive, but to expect that this will happen in the world we live in, we are citizens of heaven. In the best possible of scenarios, we are loving those we work with, being open, honest, and praying for them with sincerity. Hopefully, in this way too, we will build bridges.