What I don’t like is the idea that if you’re a Christian, you can’t watch horror movies or vampire movies, even though such films are often based on the premise that Christianity is true. That’s why vampires are repelled by crosses. I’m not a Christian writer; I’m a writer who happens to be a Christian. There are Christian themes in my books, but you don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy them. I also don’t think Christians should avoid exploring dark themes. You have to go through darkness to see the light. Otherwise, you won’t know how to fight the darkness.
It's sad because the GREATEST horror movie of all time that still has yet to be topped is The Exorcist. The entire premise is that Christianity is right.
Another point is that there is a ton of "Christian art" that is not overtly Christian in plot and its themes are often missed by non-Christians. Christian themes fly more under the radar especially now as the average person has less Christian education and knowledge. So things from prior generations people picked up on their themes where today it's often missed
Christian values are to our culture like water to a fish. The entire moral edifice of western civilization is basically Christian but most people have forgotten it and thinks it’s just “common decency” and natural.
Nice title! To your point on art in cathedrals (and the cathedral itself), evangelical director Dallas Jenkins said he wanted to take Jesus down from the stain-glassed windows, because such high art isn't personal enough. I disagree. Good art brings the divine to you, the viewer, listener, and reader.
Before you brought him up, I immediately thought of Mel Gibson as a modern day example of a Christian making great art. As a side note, I always find it hilarious whenever atheist bring up that Christians don't make "great art", as if the nihilists on their side are making anything worth viewing
House is full of Christian depiction. Most of the visible are real labors of love such as hand painted/made icons, nativities, statuettes, crucifixes, and all. These from the endless visit to churches, monastaries and other holy places by my mother, aunts, even grandmothers, et al, and mostly created by nuns and monks, or dedicated others. There are also troves of what may be referred to as Christian "trinkets" which I still like for the memories each may give. And nothing top's tossing Dean, Frank, Elvis, et al onto the turntable come Christmas holiday season except,..bing..especially with the Andrews sisters. Hearing actress cast as new snow sing part of "Wiggl"-a-ahh-I mean "Whistle While You Work", had to🙄.
Andrew Klavan said years ago that Christian Art (TM) is cringy because it's not based in reality. The stigma is that the world is sunshine and rainbows, there is no evil, and no real conflict. The result is an unrelatable product. You summary makes a lot of sense, Christian Art is supposed to be for people who already want to tow the line for their belief systems. It's no different that the woke entertainment we see today. The true believers will eat it up. Real Christian art, in my opinion, would better reflect the stories of the saints that the Catholic church venerates.
"t's no different that the woke entertainment we see today. The true believers will eat it up. " 100% agree; art that focuses on selling a "message" over making good art/product ends up being shallow and lacking all nuance. I agree and have said that the reason most Christian movies/music suck is because it is preaching a message at you; not really trying to entertain you. And the woke left is doing the same thing in modern film and music (especially the former). Great art made by Christians; Bach, Tolkien, Gibson (as David mentions) is not only possible but I would argue is the 'source' of all art as we understand it. Art cannot be good outside a person committed to the transcendent idea. But this is not the same as art being made FOR Christians as a market.
As with any piece of media, work of art etc I think intent plays a factor. Part of my conversion to Catholicism was reading the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and the works of Flannery O'Connor. Good art with Christian themes exist but it must stand on its own as a piece first; sometimes the themes and symbolism - author intended or not - can hinder or enhance. Also side note I despise the corporatization of faith, the idea that you need a light show and a live band to keep the congregation's attention. It's shallow and derivative.
Most Christian art that has survived is great. I only have to walk through the Louvre to see that. Music? Most of the Christian music of the last 1000 years has been great, with only "contemporary" Christian music being questionable. Books? Hit or miss in recent years, but again, hundreds of years of incredible value in Christian literature.
Disliking Christian art is disliking most western art. The secular folks can’t escape the influence Christianity has had on them. A lot of the things they believe and ways they behave and take for granted were revolutionary views at the time of Jesus. I will say, my Dad is Catholic and my Mom is Christian and the Catholics are way more hard core.
What I don’t like is the idea that if you’re a Christian, you can’t watch horror movies or vampire movies, even though such films are often based on the premise that Christianity is true. That’s why vampires are repelled by crosses. I’m not a Christian writer; I’m a writer who happens to be a Christian. There are Christian themes in my books, but you don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy them. I also don’t think Christians should avoid exploring dark themes. You have to go through darkness to see the light. Otherwise, you won’t know how to fight the darkness.
It's sad because the GREATEST horror movie of all time that still has yet to be topped is The Exorcist.
The entire premise is that Christianity is right.
Another point is that there is a ton of "Christian art" that is not overtly Christian in plot and its themes are often missed by non-Christians. Christian themes fly more under the radar especially now as the average person has less Christian education and knowledge. So things from prior generations people picked up on their themes where today it's often missed
Christian values are to our culture like water to a fish. The entire moral edifice of western civilization is basically Christian but most people have forgotten it and thinks it’s just “common decency” and natural.
If Bach is bad art, then all music is bad art
The CCM industry is thriving because the music is closer to be secular and the artists are pretty good.
I think you're spot on correct, David.
Nice title! To your point on art in cathedrals (and the cathedral itself), evangelical director Dallas Jenkins said he wanted to take Jesus down from the stain-glassed windows, because such high art isn't personal enough.
I disagree. Good art brings the divine to you, the viewer, listener, and reader.
Interesting video, I’ve noticed this but never heard it described like this. It goes beyond media, there’s even kind of a “Christian chic” look.
Before you brought him up, I immediately thought of Mel Gibson as a modern day example of a Christian making great art.
As a side note, I always find it hilarious whenever atheist bring up that Christians don't make "great art", as if the nihilists on their side are making anything worth viewing
They've been making the same boring anti-art for 70 years.
@DVSPress yes exactly
House is full of Christian depiction. Most of the visible are real labors of love such as hand painted/made icons, nativities, statuettes, crucifixes, and all. These from the endless visit to churches, monastaries and other holy places by my mother, aunts, even grandmothers, et al, and mostly created by nuns and monks, or dedicated others.
There are also troves of what may be referred to as Christian "trinkets" which I still like for the memories each may give.
And nothing top's tossing Dean, Frank, Elvis, et al onto the turntable come Christmas holiday season except,..bing..especially with the Andrews sisters.
Hearing actress cast as new snow sing part of "Wiggl"-a-ahh-I mean "Whistle While You Work", had to🙄.
Andrew Klavan said years ago that Christian Art (TM) is cringy because it's not based in reality. The stigma is that the world is sunshine and rainbows, there is no evil, and no real conflict. The result is an unrelatable product.
You summary makes a lot of sense, Christian Art is supposed to be for people who already want to tow the line for their belief systems. It's no different that the woke entertainment we see today. The true believers will eat it up.
Real Christian art, in my opinion, would better reflect the stories of the saints that the Catholic church venerates.
"t's no different that the woke entertainment we see today. The true believers will eat it up. "
100% agree; art that focuses on selling a "message" over making good art/product ends up being shallow and lacking all nuance. I agree and have said that the reason most Christian movies/music suck is because it is preaching a message at you; not really trying to entertain you. And the woke left is doing the same thing in modern film and music (especially the former).
Great art made by Christians; Bach, Tolkien, Gibson (as David mentions) is not only possible but I would argue is the 'source' of all art as we understand it. Art cannot be good outside a person committed to the transcendent idea. But this is not the same as art being made FOR Christians as a market.
Andrew always makes such brilliant points, been listening to his podcast for 10 years.
We don’t really have any of this Christian stuff here in Ireland, even though the entire country was religious in the past, a lot less nowadays.
As with any piece of media, work of art etc I think intent plays a factor. Part of my conversion to Catholicism was reading the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and the works of Flannery O'Connor. Good art with Christian themes exist but it must stand on its own as a piece first; sometimes the themes and symbolism - author intended or not - can hinder or enhance.
Also side note I despise the corporatization of faith, the idea that you need a light show and a live band to keep the congregation's attention. It's shallow and derivative.
Most Christian art that has survived is great. I only have to walk through the Louvre to see that. Music? Most of the Christian music of the last 1000 years has been great, with only "contemporary" Christian music being questionable. Books? Hit or miss in recent years, but again, hundreds of years of incredible value in Christian literature.
I would say the majority of new stuff is. Classical Christian media is good but as for new media the good is far and few between.
My content is proof Christian art doesn't suck 😎👍Millennium Odyssey is the next big thing in Christian based fiction 💯
There's some awesome Christian death metal and Christian un-black metal out there 😊
Classical Christian stuff was special because the church was the one who paid the most.
Disliking Christian art is disliking most western art. The secular folks can’t escape the influence Christianity has had on them. A lot of the things they believe and ways they behave and take for granted were revolutionary views at the time of Jesus.
I will say, my Dad is Catholic and my Mom is Christian and the Catholics are way more hard core.
Twilight is Christian art because it has pro-life message
Which is "Twilight"?