The Aesthetic Strategies of Christianity

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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 activities. One can not be serious all the time. Literature, music, sport, and visual arts are much better amusement than drinking and levity. There are many advantages that artistic hobbies may afford. Therefore art it is a good and useful thing for a Christian. Nevertheless, it is extraneous to spirituality.

4. Art is a tool for evangelization

Spiritual songs and religious stories, pictures, and movies are needed for the proclamation of the Gospel. The medieval idea of Church paintings as a biblia pauperum is an early example of this view. People accept the Gospel more readily when it comes with beautiful melody or entertaining narrative. Art is a part of psychology of religion and an invaluable tool of evangelization.

5. The Gospel inevitably turns into art

This is how I understand Martin Luther's theology of music. Music is not merely useful and appropriate, but something inescapable in the Church. Who does not sing, does not really believe in Christ. The beauty inherent in the Word of God demands artistic expression, it is expected to appear in forms of music, poetry, painting, or drama. As a matter of fact, the Holy Bible is full of artistic expressions.

6. Art is divinely inspired

This is a view that reaches beyond Christianity and promotes the Romantic idea of an artistic genius, regulated by none but the artist him/herself. It is worth noting that occasionally art has been substitute for religion as the source of ultimate meaning of life.



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