Clinging to traditon?

Chaplin and Brand believe that Christians artists have the opportunity to meet society in a way the church has failed to -- by being unconventional and personal. How can we hold to tradition and still offer something new and perhaps unexpected?

Creative Communities

As artists we are called to both serve in and live in specific communities. Brand and Chaplin give us some starting points as to what this community embodies. How can we start, here and now, establishing a community where those who make art and those who receive art come together in dialogue ans share each others gifts?

Questions/Thoughts from Seerveld Q&A

Please post some of your thoughts/questions/observations from the session with Seerveld. Did anything challenge or resonate in particular?

A question from Chapter 6 of Seerveld's Bearing Fresh Olive Leaves

How can we incorporate our faith in our art form in a way that people can identify -- but do so in a way that doesn't come across as "self-righteously doctrinal"?

A question from "Art and a Fallen World"

Do you think that through the arts, people have been seeking and longing for the Garden of Eden: longing for paradise lost or perhaps what is to come? Is there anything wrong with this?

A question from "Art and a Playful God"

Why do you think we place so little emphasis on the creation story but so much on Jesus death in forming our worldview? Do you think the church plays a role in this way of thinking, and how has it affected our understanding of the arts?

Art: Neccesary or Luxury

A question posed in the latest precis:

The legitimacy of art has been contested for centuries, but Christian questions about its "usefulness" can sometimes seem valid. For instance, as Seerveld asks, how is it all right to enjoy a live theatre performance when our neighbour is going to hell? Some might argue that art's allusivity can have a purpose, but is less useful than a more direct method, such as bringing aid to a third-world country. How should we respond to this?

Art and Truth

Drawing on your own experience, how have you experienced "truth" in a form of art? In what ways has this been different/similar to other ways we understand truth in our culture or society or church?

Pope Paul II -- Letter to Artists

In his Letter to Artists the late Pope John Paul II offers some insights into the relationship between artists and the church. Accepting the relevance of his arguments for the church universal, a number of question come to mind:

Feel free to comment on 1 or more of the following questions:

a) What does he mean when he talks about beauty. Can a work of art be beautiful? How does the incarnation factor in?

b) Does his notion of beauty in the church suggest a movement away from this world? What distinction does he make between Christian humanism and humanism that might be helpful here?

c) What do you think of his notion of artistic inspiration?

d) Do we artists need the church? Does the church need artist. What does John Paul suggest? Do you agree?

Worship and Aesthetic Appeal

In your experience, has worship elevated emotions over reason or reason over emotions? Have you ever experienced an elevation of aesthetics appeal or a complete elimination of aesthetics? What reasons have been cited?

Worship and Style

Have you ever felt as if you were moved emotionally in a worship service by a) nostalgia b) conscience clearing or c) aesthetic pleasure? If so, how dependent is our ability to worship on how familiar we are with the style or flavor of worship?

Begbie -- Postmodernism and the Arts

A question inspired by the Begbie article:

In a culture so obsessed with images, what does the image of Christ look like? How do we live (consume) in our society and put on the image of Christ?

Conflict and Conversations

In response to the Yates article, "Conflict and Conversations" do you agree with Yates suggestions for approaching works of art that can appear threatening or degrading? Do you have any personal experiences of being offended or challenged by a work of art, movie, piece of music etc.? How might Yates suggestions be/not be helpful in initiating conversation with such works?

Welcome

Hello all.

Welcome to the class blog. Each week I will be posting questions for discussion.