Monday, April 30, 2012
Supernatural Faith-Building Stories
I highly recommend the Encountering Jesus Series by Mike Bickle. These are some of the most supernatural faith-building stories that I have had the privilege to hear. Mike is a devout follower of the Scripture, yet deeply knows that supernatural experiences are supposed to be the norm for the Christian believer. If you love the Word of God and seek to have your faith built up to expect what the Bible shows to be the norm for the church...the supernatural, then enjoy this series. I have heard it several times, and it is always insightful and encouraging. It builds up my excitement and hunger for the word, prayer and positions me to expect more from my relationship with Jesus.
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
A Charismatic Theological Aesthetic
I'm working on developing a Charismatic Theological Aesthetic. What is that? Sometimes Pentecostal/Charismatics are stereotyped as those who are blindly emotional in their beliefs, or those who base all on experience and not on clear study of Biblical principles. Theological Aesthetics are the study of beauty and art from a Christian and Biblical viewpoint. If one wants to understand the discussion about this topic, one must go back throughout history to the early church, no, even further back to Hebrew culture and follow the discussion about how God's people relate to the arts and consider what beauty is.
Many great discussions and writing have occured over history on this topic, some for, some against art in church and worship, but because Pentecostal and Charismatic theology is so new, 1900's, there has not been much time to develop this theme, and I think it is time.
What makes a charismatic theological aesthetics different from previous discussions about the issue of Christianity and the Arts? There is a particular interest and emphasis on the fact that the Holy Spirit lives inside believers powerfully and seeks to express glory to God and will use supernatural manifestations to get the witness out. The discussion has to do with creatives, musicians, dancers, singers, visual artists, poets, actors, ect., desiring to be filled with the creativity of God and supernatural expression of God. These creatives then, with the enabling of the Spirit's power, seek to give worship to God through the arts as well as release prophetic declaration and expression to the community. This will take skill in whatever artform, as well as submission, humility, hunger and faith.
The Charismatic theological aesthetic will encorporate much of what has been said before on these issues but will also include a strong emphasis on the power of God miraculously working through the artists as prophetic messengers. I am not alone in feeling that the Holy Spirit is emphasising the arts in this season. Below is Kelly Korsman painting and worshiping. This is a new era with much wilderness to explore. There is no limit to our infinite God's creativity and mystery.
Many great discussions and writing have occured over history on this topic, some for, some against art in church and worship, but because Pentecostal and Charismatic theology is so new, 1900's, there has not been much time to develop this theme, and I think it is time.
What makes a charismatic theological aesthetics different from previous discussions about the issue of Christianity and the Arts? There is a particular interest and emphasis on the fact that the Holy Spirit lives inside believers powerfully and seeks to express glory to God and will use supernatural manifestations to get the witness out. The discussion has to do with creatives, musicians, dancers, singers, visual artists, poets, actors, ect., desiring to be filled with the creativity of God and supernatural expression of God. These creatives then, with the enabling of the Spirit's power, seek to give worship to God through the arts as well as release prophetic declaration and expression to the community. This will take skill in whatever artform, as well as submission, humility, hunger and faith.
The Charismatic theological aesthetic will encorporate much of what has been said before on these issues but will also include a strong emphasis on the power of God miraculously working through the artists as prophetic messengers. I am not alone in feeling that the Holy Spirit is emphasising the arts in this season. Below is Kelly Korsman painting and worshiping. This is a new era with much wilderness to explore. There is no limit to our infinite God's creativity and mystery.
Monday, April 02, 2012
Mexia ISD Art Wars Show
We had the annual Mexia ISD Art Show on March 29th. The title for the show was Art Wars.
The Trinity Institute is Down the Street
I was amazed to discover that not seven miles from me is The Trinity Institute that holds The Trinity Arts Conference. These conferences have been held in Tehuacana, Fort Worth and Dallas. This year I hear it will be back in Tehuacana. The Institute is housed on the grounds of the old Trinity College, a great historic building. The director is Dr. Parker who is a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He works in the Worldveiw and Cultures section of the Theology department. SBTS offers one of the few Ph.D degrees in Christianity and the Arts in America. I definitely want to spend more time visiting with him.
Prophetic Arts Online Course Starting Soon
There is a great opportunity to link up with prophetic artists of different media to do an eight month class called Unlocking the Heart of the Artist Experience Course, to explore and grow in our art forms. It's only $39. You can register at the link above. Begins April 29th.
"Unlocking the Heart of the Artist is a clarion call to a new generation of artists who want to fulfill their purpose in the Kingdom, develop their unique prophetic voice and release it in a way that not only effects culture, but the heavens. At the core of Unlocking the Heart of the Artist is an invitation to begin a journey of healing and wholeness that will yield deeper Spirit-led creativity and personal fulfillment. Through learning practical ways to engage the Holy Spirit in their creative process, the reader will learn how to collaborate with God not only in their chosen artistic medium but in life." -Matt Tommey-
"Unlocking the Heart of the Artist is a clarion call to a new generation of artists who want to fulfill their purpose in the Kingdom, develop their unique prophetic voice and release it in a way that not only effects culture, but the heavens. At the core of Unlocking the Heart of the Artist is an invitation to begin a journey of healing and wholeness that will yield deeper Spirit-led creativity and personal fulfillment. Through learning practical ways to engage the Holy Spirit in their creative process, the reader will learn how to collaborate with God not only in their chosen artistic medium but in life." -Matt Tommey-
Sacred Art Pilgrim
David Taylor shares on his blog a great resource for those interested in Christianity and the Visual Arts. John A. Kohan's site, Sacred Art Pilgrim, is worth the time to browse.
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