Christianity And The Arts Essay

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Christianity’s View of the Arts
In today’s society, many Christians have different views on what is knows as the “arts.” Modern arts consist of literature, drama, music, painting or drawing, and many other activities. Many Christian are divided on where they stand in association to the arts. While some Christians believe that the arts is a way of glorifying God, other Christians believe that the arts are unnecessary and a waste of time. Christians have to make a decision at a point in their life on where they stand in their view of art in the Church. Is there a legitimate place for arts in the Christian church or are the arts unnecessary? Christians need to come to a pure understanding on what the arts are, and make a spiritual decision on where they stand.
Jerram Barrs, a Professor of Christian Studies and Contemporary Culture, wrote an article entitled “Christianity and the Arts.” Through his article, he compares and contrasts the different viewpoints of the arts that Christians have. The first point that Barrs discusses in his article is that Christians should enjoy the arts because, God did indeed …show more content…

One of the questions that is asked is, is Christian artists better than non-Christian artists? This question is purely flawed. God gifted everyone with unique gifts and talents alike. Barrs states in his article, “ Many believers speak as if it is impossible for the Christians to enjoy or to be edified by the creative works of unbelievers” (Barrs 9). Barrs explains that God gifts every person with unique gifts, not concerning whether or not they are saved. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10” (NIV 2104). God loves every person equally, not more or less. While it is true that some non-spiritual art may not be ‘healthy’ for Christians to be around, Christians shouldn’t exclude “worldly” art from their

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