Here in Atlanta, Georgia, it is finally autumn. I have been very busy in my first semester at Reinhardt College studying Piano Performance. I have made it half-way through this term and I think life may be settling down. Or perhaps, I am settling into a routine! This afternoon, I have been enjoying tea and Edith Shaeffer's company in the book
The Hidden Art of Homemaking. If you do not have this book, I think it is a very important book for Christians, as it demonstrates the fact that all areas of our life are sacred. She defines art and the great Artist in the first two chapters, and then spends time looking at various art forms including music, painting, sculpturing, sketching, interior design, clothing, sewing, gardening, flower arranging, poetry and prose, drama, recreation and others. As Christians, the call to take dominion includes taking dominion of the arts. What area of life is not ours?
Let's put it this way. Christ is holy. We are indwelt by his Spirit. Therefore we are holy. What about our actions? Everything that we do "as unto the Lord" is holy. Those things that we do that are not "as unto the Lord", those things that are not of faith, are sinful.
I recently talked to a friend at school about sacred music and ran into this difficulty: is there a distinction between secular and sacred for the Christian? If our lives are holy because of the indwelling of the holy spirit, there is no area for the Christian that is not sacred. It is true that there is a distinction between faithfulness, and unfaithfulness. But there is no part of living that is not sacred for the Christian.
This being the case, what types of art are off-limits for Christians? The conclusion is that only artistry that is not as unto the Lord is off-limits. There is no such thing as secular clothing, music, paintings, etc for the Christian. There is no secular/sacred distinction. Can we dress according to the latest fashion styles? Of course! If what we do is of faith, as unto the Lord, then we have the freedom to be stylish artists as Christians.
One issue we might raise is this: aren't some things sinful for Christians? Are trendy clothes sinful? What about TV shows? What about literature (like Harry Potter?) Music...come on, there are songs out there that are completely immoral right? Well, is it the substance that is sinful or is the the actions? Is literature sinful? Is achohol sinful? No, they are just "subtances". These things are naturally neutral. Actions are not. We may use these substances in sinful ways...ways which are unholy - not unto the Lord. Is a tree holy or unholy - sinful or unsinful? Is a book? No, it is how we use them. There is only one right way for the Christian to use a substance and that way is "as unto the Lord". There is no literature, clothing, music, drama, etc that are sinful in style for Christian.
There are some other thoughts that I have regarding all this (including this age in which we live). But I will write about these later. For now, those are just things that are running around in my head, and things that I think Sarah and I should discuss at the tea table! Feel free to sweeten our correspondence with your own "two-cents".
Warmly,
Lily
