One surefire way to furrow the brows and purse the lips of Christian artists is to use the term ‘Christian art’. Such terminology immediately evokes images of quasi-Christian kitsch, or the simplistic licks of much contemporary Christian rock. For many artists, the notion of Christian art is closely associated with a hyper-modern, lowest-common-denominator view of the arts. But if the Kingdom of God is all encompassing, then its workers include artists. The idea of ‘Christian art’ and ‘Christian artists’ may need to be re-thought, but it cannot be abandoned.
In this paper I begin re-examining the idea of Christian arts by exploring the artist’s service to the church as a foundational aspect of the Christian arts. Drawing from allusions to the body in John 3, 1Corinthians 6, and Romans 12, I begin by arguing that the Christian artist is necessarily part of Christ’s body. Stated briefly, the Christian artist is born-again by the Spirit into the Father’s adopted family.
Next, I draw several implications of the artist’s incorporation in the church. As CHRISTIAN, the Christian artist receives the same general calling as all other brothers and sisters: ministry to the church in building up Christ’s body, and ministry of the gospel in making disciples. However, as ARTIST, the Christian artist receives special charismata, or Spirit-given gifts of grace. I argue that one of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to members of the Church is artistic gifts. Thus, the arts may partner with, even serve the goals of other giftings, such as teaching or missions. Even so, the arts cannot be reduced to the other gifts.
I end by considering some way that the arts, as a unique gift, are one place – among other giftings – that God’s love is shared with the members of Christ’s body. Specifically, I explain that the arts help serve the body and extend the Kingdom of God as art. They do this by revealing Trinitarian beauty in ways that the other Spiritual gifts cannot, and are not meant to.