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?
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ART 352
Redeemer University College, Fall 2009
Prof. Christopher M. Cuthill
ext. 4523
How does our faith bear upon our understanding of art(s)? What is the significance of art(s) in our post-modern culture? How can the church become more in tune with the aesthetic dimension of life? What are the challenges facing Christian artists today? These and other questions will be explored in weekly seminars.
ccuthil@redeemer.on.ca
profcuthill@gmail.com
Office 239D
I think this is a tricky issue because when we talk about the image of Christ we most likely mean an inner kind of image, or the person he was. When we talk about the postmodern obsession with image we mean appearances. Appearance is the reality. Can we compare the two? Maybe, as we've said before, we can break through the obsession on appearance with the genuine image of Christ. It's a different kind of image, one that works from the inside out, rather from the outside in.
ReplyDeleteIt is also important to remember that Christ did not come to support the status quo, but to subvert and challenge the cultural ideals of the time. As such, we are not called to accept the image-based ideals of post-modernity but are called to engage with them from a Christ-centered viewpoint. I agree with Denise that Jesus is not concerned with our outer appearance, but with our hearts. In a world that values style over substance, a heart pouring forth the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) may be radical enough to make people take notice.
ReplyDeleteAs Christ did not come to support those in positions of authority, he also supported the Jewish tradition. Christ attended and taught in the synagogue, celebrated Passover and so on... What he did challenge was the ways in which the Jewish authorities had distorted the laws--focusing on following the letter, not the heart of the law. In doing so, he fulfilled Israel's task as the people of God and in doing so established a new body of believers.
ReplyDeleteSo, as part of this new body of believers roughly 2000 years after Christ, I believe our task is to perhaps challenge the way our post-modern culture has distorted what God has intended. Our culture is not the same as Israel's, and there are new distortions and new ways in which we have strayed. However, as we noted in class, Christ used illustrations relevant to the culture of his time. I believe there is aspects of post-modernity that can be invaluable to us, if used correctly. I don't think the "image", per se, of Christ would be that vastly different- but, as Krista pointed out, what that image embodies will be vastly different.
I think that when we talk about the image of Christ it is less about a physical image or the outer appearance of Jesus than it is how he lived and what he does now. When we put on the image of Christ or others would say to reflect the image of Christ, it is not a way we can change our outward appearance, but how we show his love. It is funny because in the postmodern culture the images around us are always changing and it can make one exhausted to try and keep up with them all but Jesus is never changing he will always be love and have love for us no matter what.
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ReplyDeleteI also feel that Christ is not as much represent by our outward appearance but our inner being. By living in the image of Christ I feel it is more the way we treat people and present ourselves to others that it is important. I also think it is important not to get enveloped in the consumerism of our post-modern society. The things that we buy and choose to invest our time in can give others the impression of who we are even if we don’t know them. It can often be hard to be generous and humble in a society where there is a lot of greed and pride. I think that the best way to represent Christ in our society is to simply show love people, the same why Christ has shown His love to us.
ReplyDeleteI'd say its pretty tough to pin the concept of Christ down to one simple image or group of images which could be a reason for a widespread rejection. If members of tradition and church want a traditional, concrete and predictable image of Christ, they will completely sidestep the whole issue and continue completely oblivious of culture going on around them. Some could argue that the image of Christ is anything you want it to be, which can have truth in it to some extent. What that balance actually is, I don't know, but I know there is more to the image of this supernatural being and concept. This conicidentally, makes it more difficult to know how to 'put on' the image of Christ. This assumes we ought to know how to NOT put on the image of Christ and define some clear boundaries, as something to judge against. How do I know what is a good moral decision and what is not? What if I'm doing something out of pure love and intentional that completely goes against cultural norms, even to the extent of crime?
ReplyDeleteI agree that to put on the image of Christ is to strive to live our lives the way that Jesus lived his life here on this Earth. We, as Christians, are the best representation of the image of Christ, and in everything we do we should do it to God's glory.
ReplyDeleteThinking of art, we should be respectful of the traditions of others so as not to offend them. We should, however, defend our own faith when people claim to depict an accurate image of Christ that is clearly not what He was or is.
There are many ways to depict the image of Christ in art. I don't always know where to draw the line between what is a faithful and good image and what is wrong. There are many cases, however, when I do know for sure that an artist has not been faithful to the image of Christ as He is presented in Scripture. Christians must use their own discernment when considering art that portrays their Lord and Saviour.
When I think of the image of Christ, it is not a physical thing. It is someone who we should strive to be - the image is the persona of Christ. We should strive to be all that Christ was; compassionate, loving, merciful, and much more!
ReplyDeleteIn our society, I find the image of Christ shining through other people diminishing. Sure, there are the places where Christ's image is shown, but in the secular world, i find that the majority of people have a hard time showing this image. I think that this is largely due to the consumerism attitude that the media throws at us - the all about me... making sure that i have what i need when i need it. A large part of the image of Christ is putting others before yourself, but because of our consumeristic society, this isn't happening as it should.
I also agree that the image of Christ is much more complex than a physical outward appearance. Its a light which we strive to reach, to become like, to consume us and to find warmth from. Its an image beyond our imagination and worldly ideas. What truly is an image of perfection? I too wish I could see this light shining through more people. Through their actions and treatment of others, but in our broken society this light goes dim much too often. I think it comes from our communities that continue to close the doors to outsides, placing fences not only around our yards, but around our hearts. I don't think that Christ would pass someone on the street without saying hello or giving a friendly smile, but people claiming to possess his light so often would.
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