Art and the Bible: Francis Schaeffer

Creating art for churches can feel like slapping a new coat of paint on a beater car. Yeah it looks good, but what’s under the hood? That perspective on art is entirely wrong. Francis Schaeffer, a tremendously thoughtful theologian and author, has much to say regarding art in the church. Mainly that it’s a form of worship. Take 2 minutes and read these two quotes:

“If Christianity is really true, then it involves the whole man, including his intellect and creativeness. Christianity is not just “dogmatically” true or “doctrinally” true. Rather, it is true to what is there, true in the whole area of the whole man in all of life.”

“The arts and the sciences do have a place in the Christian life — they are not peripheral. For a Christian, redeemed by the work of Christ and living within the norms of Scripture and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God — not just as tracts, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. And art work can be a doxology in itself.”

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Art can be worship just as much as singing is worship. It’s using a gift God has given to praise him.

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