The last chapter of Grace & Necessity had some very interesting points that stood out to me while reading. Have you ever found yourself staring at a painting for hours because it looked so 'real'? So 'perfect'? I have plenty of times and have always wondered how it was done, or how it was even possible to create something like it.
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| Realistic painting I thought reflected the intensity and level of skill of this artist and also because this is pretty close to perfect. |
"... divine creativity is not capable of imitation; it is uniquely itself, a creation from nothing that realizes no immanent potential in the maker but a pure desire for life and joy in what is freely made." (Williams, 164)
"The artist's freedom is deeply connected to God's; but connected as something no less deeply other to God, since it is the particular way in which finite freedom comes to perfection." (Williams, 166)
"... if it [the art] is a manifestation of the deeper levels of participatory knowledge, it must, for any religious believer, be bound up with the being and action of God." (Williams, 169)
I agree with Williams when he says that divine creativity cannot be imitated, but when God and the work of art are in sync together, perfection is made. Only through God can the artwork manifest the deeper levels of knowledge and only through God can art be perfected.
As artists, we have a very unique and special gift because we have a fraction of God's gift, that being creation. We have the ability and freedom to create, but we can't manifest the deeper levels of knowledge without God and letting the art be itself.
“In Christian art,” theologist T. M. Moore continues “whether the images are saints and martyrs or a parental dispute with a daughter over the supposed evils of coffee, the message remains the same: Life has meaning and beauty when it is lived within the framework of the overarching majesty, goodness, and love of God.” [2]
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| This painting shows the beauty, goodness and love God gave us. |
I agree with what Moore says, and especially agreed with life having meaning within God. Without God there is no point to life, therefore no reason to live, in my opinion. You have to make exceptions though because not all Christian art has that exact message. I do believe that art can be substituted for life in the bold quote above. Art has meaning and beauty within God, and can be so much more within or through Him.
References:
[1]Williams, "Grace & Necessity"
[2]http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/22905
Nice quotes Kyle and I really enjoy the Moore quote you have. I would connect a little more the quotes you have from the book. I like the photo realist image you have at the beginning of the blog. Some would argue with the "beauty" of the Thomas Kinkade image in the bottom of your post concluding that it is all sugar and nothing of value otherwise. I'd be curious to hear more as to why you selected it. Your Moore quote has got me thinking, how would artists create if they simply worked out of the premise that they were "beloved" of God. Hmmmm......
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Tim, I really like the quote from T.M. Moore that you included and that you decided to bring in another voice on the subject outside of the book at all. It really resonates with the first chapter of "It Was Good" as well, reflecting on the goodness of God and how our Fallen, bent nature keeps us from seeing the goodness portrayed in some art. It seems to me that although Thomas Kincaid's art is beautiful aesthetically, it lacks some of the real depth and truth-telling that encompasses the idea of goodness as we do live in a fallen world. Thanks Kyle!
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