IS BEAUTY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER?

Looking hot In your new sunglasses!!!

By Gillian G. Mwaura Edube

But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Mathew 6:23

Introduction

Our ten, almost eleven-year-old (as he likes to say) son is very visually oriented. It is very easy to teach and instruct him through imagery. He is an upcoming artist ( some of his art pieces posted on mwauragillian@blogspot.com ). It is worth noting that he is growing up amidst lots of suspicion around art, especially in Christian circles. With our kid’s (Roy and Bernice) diverse cultural backgrounds, our role is to promote a Christ kingdom culture that they can use as a yardstick against which to weigh every other culture they encounter.

This narrative combines my reflections with my discussions with Roy & Bernice, who are 11 and 9 in September 2021.

Dedication:

I dedicate these reflections to Roy and Bernice, every young artist who has questions about their artistic talents and skills, and my dear friends struggling to relate with their children who are upcoming artists. The Fascinating Ladies are in my mind right now. The struggle is real, but you are never alone.

 

Definition of terms

·       Art- all that people make or perform for chiefly for solely beauty purposes (Covington 2018, 37).  These can be (Writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers, graphic designers, fashion designers, content creators, bloggers, graphic and general designers, musicians, Interior designers, filmmakers, painters, photographers

·       Aesthetic- concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty- a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.

·       Steward- manage or look after (another’s property).

 

We Shall Start from The Beginning.

How was it Originally?

Creation Genesis 1: 31 During the six days of creation, we observe that God saw everything He created, and it was good. Genesis 2: 8-9. Everything was beautiful; it was a perfect universe, including humankind (male and female), made in the image and likeness of God Genesis 1:1-31. The all-powerful God created/designed the universe with no error. God saw that what He had created was beautiful.  Aesthetic value and beauty are rooted in the very nature of God, who is the source of all beauty and value Hebrews 1: 3; James 1:17; Psalms 8:1-4. 

God looked at all, he had made, and it was perfect and;-He took delight in what He had created. As displayed in the Biblical story, God is the creator, the root source of all beauty.

 

 

God Almighty Designs the Temple and the Tabernacle.  

In addition to the creation story, other places we see God’s design and beauty in the Old Testament. Moses’s instructions for building the tabernacle in Exodus:28 and 29. Another demonstration of this is in the instructions for the building of the temple to Solomon in 1^st King 6. We further see  Jesus giving his life as a ransom so that all the fallenness would be redeemed. The purpose of salvation Covington says is “healing for the whole creation.” We see Jesus as the ultimate source of beauty coming to the world and providing a critical lens for seeing God’s beauty.  He is Lord not only over our hearts but over every sphere of our life. Through Him, the image of God is restored in Human beings.

What does it mean to be made in the image of God?

Just like our God, we can be creative.

Every human being can be creative. Because we are created in His image, we can relate with God and other people and the whole creation. We are, therefore, stewards of his creation.

A deadly choice.

What got distorted?

 Genesis 3. The serpent appears to Eve, convincing her that she needed new lenses with which to see the world and for the first time humans had to make a choice “…but the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  For God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat of it, and you will be like God” (Genesis 3:4-5). Believing the serpent, humans rebel against their creator, and their perception changes. Covington says that Adam and Eve’s new autonomous eyes saw themselves as no longer good but shameful in their nakedness. They have distorted eyesight which causes a broken relationship between them and God and creation (Covington 2018, 90). This distortion dissolved into every aspect of life, including art.

Fig 1: Bryant Meyer’s demonstration of a distorted image as a result of the fall.

Humans developed a distorted or deformed view of reality, truth, and value. 

Not all humans create is good, edifying, and beautiful in their fallen nature, but sometimes it can be unnatural, erroneous, and perverted (Knight 1998,193).

This ugliness exhibits the need for a savior and God’s efficacy or effectiveness in the sinner’s life. God is at work reconciling all things to himself, including aesthetics or beauty. He is interested in every aesthetic experience that human beings have and restores its goodness.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things Philippians 4:8. 

 

Effects of sin on beauty or Aesthetics and Art (Covington 2018, 98-100).

a)   We pretend to be in charge

Due to the distorted view, humans take charge of their vision. The belief that their eyes will be open and that they see better without God is a  distortion.

This belief is worse in our generation with individual tastes and preferences and the view that

“if it’s good for me, it’s good,” no matter what everyone else thinks.

 Whether one views beauty according to their standard

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER!

Or one considers their view of beauty with a

reasoning that

GOD GIVES US A SENSE OF BEAUTY!

 

 Covington argues that in BOTH ways, we assume a sort of aesthetic deism (being gods). We think that God has given us a sense of beauty, but he takes a back seat and lets us practice it independently. OR We assume that beauty is dependent on us.

 Hold it there!

 However, this seems natural it is not correct because God is in charge, and we are not.

God gives us a sense of beauty, but it is not in isolation. It is through Him.

Humans don’t only need the lenses. They need to walk closely with the optician who keeps adjusting their lenses.

 

b)   Shredding the Vision

Humans tend to separate beauty from the truth and expect each other to function independently. In other words, beauty is used as means to not an end.

That rings a loud bell to my ears right there!  

I have vivid memories of how the Christian groups in schools I attended treated the drama and dance teams. They were not considered serious in their faith, but their gifts were used during evangelistic adventures. They were used as means to achieve a more serious goal. I believe that they can be means through which people hear the gospel; they must be given value. Dance, drama, art, music, and design as means of evangelism must be given the same value as preaching. Well, that would mean that the artists need to value and steward their gifts and talents.

 

 

c)    Darkened vision

As a result of the fall, human’s sense of vision is distorted.  They see everything through the infected or fallen eyes.

Sin has permeated every aspect of our seeing (Romans 1:18-32, Ephesians 4:18-21, 2^nd Corinthians 4:4) Covington 110.

Humanity has a damaged image due to sin.

We must accept that without Christ, our image is completely damaged. Humanity needs a savior.

Redemption; Is there any hope for now and in the future (restoration and redemption)?.

God does not give up on rebellious humanity.

 We observe God’s work of redemption throughout the Old Testament and finally through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a result, we experience true reconciliation. Through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, human beings are renewed and given a new lens. God does not abandon what he created.

 

Through the birth, life, and death of Christ- our redeemer; humans receive a new birth and are transformed by renewing their minds so they can test and approve what God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2) is.

Philippians 2:58- 2 Corinthians 5:17.  

Through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, artists develop a godly worldview that shapes their aesthetic framework (Romans 6:1-6, Matthew 16:24, Galatians 2:20, John 3:3,5, Genesis 1:28, Mathew 6:26-33). The ‘redemptive optician’ restores their lenses. They become new creatures; they don’t use old lenses but look at beauty through biblical lenses.

Who doesn’t need this redemptive eye lens!

Our sight changes when we acquire new lenses.  

This set of new lenses a  Christian artist receives helps them create redeemed content. Their YouTube content, art pieces, songs, design work, writing, drama, dance is different.

Visiting the redemptive optician is not a one-day event but a lifelong journey. That way we can have fresh bread for each season. Suppose we visit the optician once- we end up with the same bread served over and over.

Paul calls it putting off the old self and putting on the new self.

That tells us it’s a journey, but we can still create and trust his process while we are putting ‘off’ and ‘on’ daily.

Envision a house that is going through renovations. That house can still serve the owner. The problem will be if the house tries to understand the owner’s design and start rebelling.

 

This thought leads me to my next idea, even with seasons changing, the author of all beauty has new things for every generation. The chief artist remains relevant, cares about every age, and uses the artists in every season.

Are you serving God in your generation?

Or  are you tied up by other generations who judge your style and methods? Diamond never changes but reflects differently when exposed to different shades of light. The core concepts about that diamond don’t change.

 I hope you feel the freedom and start spending more time responding to God as He directs you to serve His purposes for your generation.

 

Having been reconciled, God invites human beings to be reconcilers with him.

The redeemed artist becomes an image bearer and starts stewarding their artistic power to ensure that it brings Glory to God and draws more people into the redemptive power.  

Their music, dance, YouTube content, art, and design, etc. have redemptive power

REDEMPTIVE POWER

Redeemed art reflects a biblical lens in relationship with the redemptive optician in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The artist who acquires a godly taste can create redeemed art.

Extending Grace!

Part of stewarding the gift we have is by being an image-bearer. (Because the image of God is being restored in us, we can extend that grace to others).  We become image bearers to people who haven’t yet visited the optician because we know they have an invitation and will have their sight corrected at the right time.

People are in different phases of their growth journey and what matters is they are on the path, and even though they are not perfect, God still uses them.

We can be gracious because we are aware they have different lenses from ours.

We also trust that their eyes will open as we shine our light into the darkness with love. They are created in the image of God, and God values them. 

They are only using different lenses.

 

 You don't have to agree with every opinion they hold but let them know you love and care.

Be ready, though, to defend why and what you believe with love.

 That means we can find beauty even in the art created by people who have the old lens. Right? We can observe parts of their humanly beautiful work and appreciate the skill with our redeemed eyes. They are not the source of any art. Only God is the source of all art.

 They only have a distorted image. Unfortunately, they are not aware.

As said earlier, we observe their art in relationship with God, who becomes the standard we reflect. We could therefore reject some of their art in our hearts, but we don’t reject them. The redeemed artist must draw boundaries and be free to say NO to distorted art, but YES to people.

This  gesture is achievable only through the power of the Holy spirit  

Stay prayed up.

Love people well.

Show them how their story is connected to God’s big story, why they need redemption.

 Make followers of Jesus who become Christ-like and are in a lifetime journey and commitment of becoming like Christ.

 ‘Artworks are not for just for art sake’- the redeemed eye now glances at art and beauty as a whole life integration.

The artist must have a seamless life. Their Christlikeness infiltrates Each aspect of their lives. Their relationships, career, family, finances, and every sphere of their lives.

It is far more than inserting scriptures in the artwork.

 

 So, it is redeemed art if the artist uses godly lenses with the ‘redemptive optician.’

 

Therefore, my son and daughter!

ü  Ensure you have a community that shares the same lenses with you. Be accountable to them. Allow them to speak into your life and pray over you as you serve God in your generation.  Allow them to ask you any question and be ready to be corrected by them. These could be your agemates who understand what you are going through but have shared lenses.

 

ü  Ensure you have a mature Christian with whom you can process difficult questions and be accountable. Practice your giftings in a community of believers who will provide a spiritual covering for you. Surround yourself with people who can love you and pray for you. I hope your parents could be part of your inner circle. They do love you.

 

ü  Even in the counsel of agemates and mature Christians, let God continue being your standard with which you bounce all your art. Abide in Christ and let him abide in you(John 15:1-15). That way, you will bear much fruit that will last. Some of the fruit that will be manifest from abiding will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

 

ü  When you are a branch that bears much fruit, it is safe for you to become famous, rich, have award-winnings, have a large following because those things will not be an end in themselves. You will grow in humility as you worship God, not idols of fame.

 You will need to steward those successes and use them for the glory of God.

Remember, you are not defined by what you have, become, don’t become, or don’t get, but you belong to the redemptive optician. That’s your identity.

 

ü      Lean on God, who is the source of all beauty. Apart from Him, you are nothing and cannot create redeemed art.

Nothing is new; all you have is an invitation to be a creator because you are made in His image.

This posture keeps you humble and trusting God with every piece of work or content you create.

Be aware!!!!  Like Covington says

“What gets glory claims worship.”

 All glory goes back to God, who is worthy of all worship.

 Don’t take pleasure in God’s gifts without him.

ü  My friend Garber asks an important question  

“Who flourishes because you flourish?”

Remember, ‘it’s not art just for art’s sake’; consider all the stakeholders of your great work.

Pay your staff well.

Treat your support staff (drivers, cleaners, watchmen, etc.) with dignity.

Take care of their needs.  Treat your customers and even your suppliers with fairness- and dignity, as well as value.

Decide how much profit you need to be making and where it will be directed.

 If God allows you to rise to places of authority and make decisions for others, use your power and authority as a bridge or voice for the voiceless.

 

Don’t use your power and authority to create separations between poor and rich—Model Christ’s servanthood by not looking to your interest but the good of others (Philippians 2:4).

No servant is greater than His master (John 13:1-17).

 

ü  As we have discovered over time, there is no Christian art, music, etc. In my description, redeemed art  is the one where

the artist uses godly lenses in relationship with the ‘redemptive optician.’ 

You, therefore, get the freedom to use your redeemed imagination to create for His glory.

 Shall we henceforth call it redeemed music or art?

 Maybe!!! 

 Let no one create a dualism in your head (secular- sacred).

Allow the language of

 Integration,

whole life art,

 seamless life.  

 

 

ü  Be aware of Christians who claim to have redeemed lenses but are NOT integrating their new perspective into their whole lives. Those are deceptive; they live their lives in patches, not a seamless garment. They pose like Christians but don’t allow the redemptive optician into their lives behind the scenes.

 

They also will have their identity in their art than in Christ.

 Their identity is also on their failure and successes because those define them. 

 Your failure and success don’t define you.

You are loved, and you belong to God’s family. That is your identity.  

Let it be enough that you are a child of God.

When you find yourself seeking material things to complete you! You better watch out and check if you are still abiding.

Therefore, create at rest, from a place of belonging to God who calls you first to himself and not to do things for him.

When you have the redemptive optician, your character is being shaped.

Though not perfect, you are a Work in Progress  in God’s hands which is safe.

 

ü  Do not distance yourself from what matters (the poor and those suffering in the world, those unreached with the gospel, etc.); if you stay away, you will become emotionally distant. Consciously make trips to where the broken and wounded, be part of their healing through your art and other resources you have.

 

“Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21;1-27).

 

God is going to restore all things to the original plan.

 

We see glimpses of redemption all way from the fall till now, and God will completely restore the aesthetic into its original intent.

 

 There will be a new heaven and new earth. John says that the city will have no need for the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb (Revelation 21:23).

The foundations of the wall of the city will be adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald  (Revelation 21:19).

And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. Revelation 21:15

“Don’t delight in creating things for their goodness alone but delight in God’s goodness alone, which he made the aesthetics to reflect”  Covington 2018.

God is the preserver of all things and has preeminence in all things. In Him, all things hold together Colosians1:15-19.

May God be your vision!!

From your loving Mother and Dad, who is one of our favorite priests.

Gillian. 

 

 

 

 

No part of this blog may be reproduced by any means without my permission. 

Gillian.

References:

Covington, David A. 2018. A Redemptive Theology of Art: Restoring Godly Aesthetics to Doctrine and Culture. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Garber, Steven. 2020. The Seamless Life: A Tapestry of Love & Learning, Worship & Work. IVP      ISBN 978-0830845958

Wright, Christopher. 2010. The Mission of God’s People. Zondervan    ISBN 978-0310291121