The Christian Imagination

I just came across this post by Traci Giles called: Why a Christian Imagination?
Here’s an excerpt:

Some might argue that to have a “Christian” imagination is to limit the creativity available to the mind. The imagination is a porthole to other worlds; it is a gift that allows one to frame their own reality. So what would one gain from having a Christian worldview? If the imagination is simply the “creative faculty of the mind” why do people feel the need to put an adjective in front of it? Why a “Christian” imagination?

The imagination is an integral part of who we are as created people. As Christians we believe that we were formed by a Creator, who brought us to life through His power and imagination. Our existence is a result of our Maker’s hand. Our life both in the present and into eternity is a gift given by God that enables us to experience living both for ourselves and for Him. Madeline L’Engle in her book Walking on Water, discusses this in reference to time. She says, “In kairos (time) we become what we are called to be as human beings, co-creators with God, touching on the wonder of creation. This calling should not be limited to artists—or saints—but it is a fearful calling”.

Now, the very fact she is quoting L’Engle is enough to make it quote-worthy:)
That said, I highly suggest you read the whole thing if you can, as she has some good insight.

Today we talked about art and the Bible. The following are verses we discussed:

Visual Art
Ex. 25:31-33 (representinng real objects)
Ex. 28:33 (creating pomegranates that are not the normal color)
2 Chr. 3:6 (art for beauty – see KJV)
2 Chr. 3:16-17 (free standing columns that serve no useful purpose, form of abstract art)
2 Chr. 4:3-5 (altar and molten sea)
Num. 21:6-8 and John 3:14-15 (brazen serpent, art used for religious purpose)

Poetry
2 Sam. 1:19-27 (secular ode)
2 Sam. 23:1-2 (David inspired by God, and he was a poet)

Music & Song
Exodus 15 (song of praise for deliverance)
1 Chr. 23:3-5 (4000 Levite musicians appointed to temple)
1 Chr. 15:16-22 (template music performed by professionals)
1 Chr. 25:1, 6-7 (David appoints musicians)
2 Chr. 29:24-29 (Hezekiah)
Numbers 21:27-30 (song of the well)
1 Sam. 16:14-23 (David and Saul)
1 Cor 14:26, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16 (more informal and relational)

Drama
Ezek. 4:1-8 (Ezekial performs drama repeatedly)

Dance
Psalm 149:3
Psalm 150:4-5
Exodus 15:20
2 Sam. 6:14-16

Popular Culture
Acts 17:28 (references Greek Stoic poets)
1 Cor. 15:33 (reference to play Thais by Greek dramatist Menander)
Titus 1:12 (references Epimenides)

Where is God in the midst of our pain?

It seems easier, if we can explain why, if others can feel our pain and perhaps understand.

God is there, but we don’t always feel His presence, or His comfort.

Instead of comfort and understanding from his friends, Job was put on the defensive, and it wore him down.

When nothing more could be said, Elihu thought he had insight into the situation. Elihu’s words are not without merit. He rightly rebukes Job’s friends, and rebukes Job for thinking he can ‘make his case’ before God. Who are we to say we have a superior moral standard to God?

Yet, in Elihu’s words in chapters 32-37, he repeatedly implores them to ‘here his words,’ and says things like:
“Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. I will bring my knowledge from far away, and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.” — Job 36:2-4

It is Elihu who claims to speak on behalf of God. Ever had someone tell you, “God told me to tell you this.” What do you say to that? How can one possibly disagree with someone who claims to be the voice of God?

I grew up Pentecostal. I believe God inspires words in people. However, it’s a very dangerous thing when someone arrogantly claims to speak directly for God. How can we discern whether their voice is conterfeit or real? How can we discern the voice of God?

Don’t wait for the moment of deepest crisis to learn that God’s voice sounds like.
If your dad called you in the middle of the night, would you know it?
Crisis isn’t the time to discern God’s voice, but to depend on it.

Job tells us what to do when we suffer: trust, depend, believe.
Job continues to listen, and in the end, hears God’s voice.

In Exodus 20, God delivers the 10 Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Exodus 20:4 says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” Before Moses came down from the mountain with the initial tablets of stone, the people, who had been without Moses for 40 days, gathered around Aaron and asked for a visual, tangible representation of God that they could worship (not unlike what they had in Egypt). Aaron appeases the people and asked that they gather their jewelry to create an idol. In Exodus 25, God had asked Moses for a similar offering of the people, for a different purpose. God, the craftsman, then gave a very detailed description of the architecture and art of the tabernacle.

God spoke to Moses of two topics before giving Moses the two tablets. One was the Sabbath. The other is as follows:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts–to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you: the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent–the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand–and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place.”
–Exodus 31:1-11

So, while the people are idolizing and worshipping art, God is officially commissioning an artist and other craftsmen to help him build the tabernacle. He is said to be ‘filled with the Spirit of God.’ And so, we have an artist as the first person who is said to be filled with the Spirit of God, with artistic gifts given by God. The tabernacle designed by God sounds like quite a masterpiece, with both representational and abstract art, with art that is useful, and art that serves no purpose other than being beautiful. In God’s Kingdom, there is a place for artists…