How "Relevent" Are Christian Artists?

Here is a little article I wrote a month ago. I've learned alot about being an artist since then. You have to follow your heart and passion. If you grapple with the questions long enough, you will see the way.

How "Relevent" Are Christian Artists?
by Enrique Crosby

In the song Mr. Jones, Adam Duritz, lead singer of Counting Crows sings, "We all wanna be big big stars, yeah, but we got different reasons for that." How important is fame, and is fame an important and valid motivation and goal for Christian artists to pursue? In an article entitled, "Religion and rock: not a mixture for success", Jess Brooke of the Colorado State University newspaper The Rocky Mountain Collegian writes about how bands that start off overtly Christian in style usually have to lose their overt references to Jesus and Christianity before they become popular in main stream culture.

This artlicle resonates with questions I have in my heart being a visual artist. Questions like: Who is my audience? Is popularity an important platform that I need with my art? Will God be served more if I keep a smaller audience with art that keeps a clear Christian witness, or will he be served more if I make my art more palatable to the masses and make it more ambiguous?

I have heard references in other articles and blogs about the difference between a Christian artist and an artist who is a Christian. (Artist being: visual, music, writers) One produces works that discuss Christian issues, the other creates works on various topics yet the artist retains in his heart that he/she is a Christian.

A story in Scripture I think relates to this topic is that of Daniel, a young devout Jewish man who grows up in a predominantly pagan culture to become one of the great old testament prophets. In his lifetime, Daniel must find the balance between strong commited devotion to the LORD, and humble and devout service to the empire he lives in that at many times opposes his religious beliefs.

Daniel has an amazing ability to serve with great faithfulness the kingdom he lives in , yet at times is commited to standing without apology against the same kingdom in certain situations. Through out his life, Daniel is honored and dishonored repeatedly for his diligent hard work and his uncompomising devoution to the God of Israel.

In Daniel, I find a man to be contemplated. For in Daniel I find a man that has to grapple with many questions that Christians in modern America are facing.

He did not become an antisocial recluse in his society, but instead served his society with zeal. On the other hand, he also retained a lack of interest in fame, promotion or riches even though these often came to him inadvertently. What poise and balance.

Even though Daniel worked more in the realm of politics and religion, artist and musicians will find important themes to consider by studying his life.

Simply Apocalyptic yet Free

I sit in the Library, a study room on floor 6. I pace and pray. I am being inspired. Listening to these, and praying through these (apostolic prayers) for my university, city, church, friends, and fellow bloggers.

It's not often the wise that are called. And it's not articulate words that reveal Christ, but only the simplicity of devotion acticulating words, actions and prayers of love empowered by the Spirit.

I just got out of my Art History classes, and I'm thinking about my paintings. I paint these wild crazy paintings, and they're fun, but I really want to make some simple images, I don't care if they don't look profound. I want them to be simple, like a head of brocolli in the midst of mouths chewing on empty calories.

The most powerful passage of Scripture I think about that relates to arts is actually when Paul discusses tongues.

(Quote)
⁶Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? ⁷Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? ⁹So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. ¹²So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

¹³For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. ¹⁶If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand^[e] say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

¹⁸I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.(End Quote from 1Cor14)

I associate tongues with abstraction and "in the mind" with literal art. They both have a place, but man, I want to sound a clear trumpet to get people ready. Sure we could all be partying and grooving to some great music, but that's no good if the enemie's in our camp. "God loves you, now get ready battle!"

There is a place for abstract, jazz, and and rave music and art, I love it. Yet, its place is not being an alarm during a fire drill or invasion. For those times we need clear meaningful distinct messages/songs/images that speak, so we won't be dancing or crying when we need to be running.

I know I'm all choppy in my talking. I'm working through my thoughts.

So when I dance, I love it funky. When I'm trying to rescue a drowning person, I like it simple clear and uncomplicated. I sometimes feel this way about art.

I think Heiromymous Bosch balanced both wacky imagination and literal clear trumpet blasts.


I love this guy's style. Intense apocalytic, yet playful and free, that's how I wanna be.

My First Blender3d Rendering

It's actually the first I've saved. I started playing with Blender a week ago.