A Grace of Sense - theological aesthetics

  There are several possible approaches to the art among Christians. In the following, I tend to draft them in a cursory manner. 1. Art is harmful for a Christian This extreme view has been promoted by some pietist or monastic movements. The bleakest parts of Leo Tolstoy's aesthetics may suggest this view. Art generally, and music and dance in particular, arouse emotions that provoke lust and lasciviousness. Even when that is not the case, artistic figures and niceties distract the soul from its concentration to prayer and spirituality. To sum, there is nothing good or useful for a Christian in the arts. 2. Art is irrelevant to spirituality According to this view, arts are not bad in themselves. In fact, they may be considered as gifts of God, but they have no spiritual value. They do not belong to the spiritual realm, their virtues are mundane. In that regard art is similar to politics or furniture. 3. Art is a good hobby for a Christian A human being needs pleasurable pastime act