June 2002
RW 64
THEME: Visual Arts
Articles in this issue:
Why commission a work of art?
The purpose of liturgical art is to point beyond itself, to deepen one’s understanding and worship of God. A congregation might commission a work of art
Once a year, each academic department at Westmont College is invited to host a chapel for the majors and minors in their department. Here in the art department, we’ve used this opportunity to present our “artistic testimonies,” to discuss what might constitute Christian art, and to use works of art from the past as foci for devotional exercises. This year, we’ve decided to ask students to read one of Jesus’ parables of the kingdom, the parable of the talents from Matthew 25.
Fiona Bond. Carlisle, England: Piquant, 2001. $15.00. www.piquant.net; info@piquant.net
William Dyrness (see p. 8) commends this new book as “the best practical guide I know” to encouraging the artists in our congregations, also helping some to discover gifts they did not know they had. The mission of this publisher from England is “to spread in every place the aroma that comes from knowing Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14).
Once a year, each academic department at Westmont College is invited to host a chapel for the majors and minors in their department. Here in the art department, we’ve used this opportunity to present our “artistic testimonies,” to discuss what might constitute Christian art, and to use works of art from the past as foci for devotional exercises. This year, we’ve decided to ask students to read one of Jesus’ parables of the kingdom, the parable of the talents from Matthew 25.
William A. Dyrness. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001. 188 pp. $21.99.
The editorial on p. 2 provides a good introduction to this book. Here is one more testimony, from Jeremy Begbie of Cambridge University in England: “Both theological and practical, this wide-ranging study will be of special interest to all who want to get beyond the sterile prejudices that have so often marred the relationship between visual art and Protestantism.”
We seem to be in the midst of a sea change in attitudes toward the visual, even in worship. For one thing, since the middle of the last century, a major change has been taking place in our visual environment. Whereas previously print culture predominated, with the rise of television and movies we have entered an era in which visual images are dominant and inescapable.
Patricia S. Klein. Brewster, Mass.: Paraclete Press, 2000. 208 pp. $12.95.
As interest in the visual arts continues to increase, so do helpful publications. Some of the most helpful resources come from Lutheran and Roman Catholic sources. All of these items are available from the following publishers:
3 vols. Kenneth T. Lawrence, ed. Cleveland, Ohio: United Church Press, 1994. c. 280 pp. $34.95 each.
These beautiful books would make wonderful gifts for any worship planner who will take the time to revel in the relationship between Scripture and culture as depicted in both historical and contemporary art. Based on the texts assigned in the Revised Common Lectionary, each volume (for Years A, B, and C) walks through the church year with a wealth of full-color art and photos from around the world, meditative writings, even music.