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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 have been to two different churches which had completely opposite views on the role of emotion and aesthetics in worship. I went to a Pentecostal church which had a beautiful building design, was furnished with dozens of instruments, and encouraged emotional experience in worship. I also once went to a Brethren church, which had completely different ideas about how church should be. The building was rather unfortunate looking, which seemed to be considered virtuous for a church building. Instruments were forbidden in worship, and were considered a hindrance and or source of idolatry. Emotion was not encouraged in worship. Emotions were generally seen as deceptive, something that is changeable, while solid doctrinal truth is unchanging.
ReplyDeleteI believe that God calls us to both an emotional and a rational encounter with Him in a worship setting. Christ calls us to love the Lord with all of our heart, our soul, and our mind which suggests that our reaction to God should be both intellectual and emotive. The problem comes when we elevate one type of response over another. Our churches tend to be polarized in their approach to worship rather than striving for a healthy balance. This also places responsibility on us as worshippers. We are each designed to be more naturally more inclined to favour one form of worship. As an actor, I find myself drawn to services that facilitate an emotional response to God. It is my responsibility to recognize this pull and actively seek to engage the Lord with the rational side of my brain as well.
ReplyDeleteComing from a staunch Reformed Calvinist background (and predominantly Dutch, to boot!), I can attest to the negligence of emotion and intense lack of aesthetic appeal in worship. The tradition I am part of has worshiped the way they have for a very long time and only recently have they made adjustments and tinkering with various forms of music, etc. While I value their ties to the "Church of all Ages", it is frustrating hitting the wall over and over again about how images=idolatry and emotions=blur the mid. Despite my exasperation to the lack of understanding (especially amongst the arts) I have grown to love and appreciate the congregation I am part of. Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely love to see changes--especially aesthetically, however, I am aware of the noneducational background in the arts that the vast majority of my brothers and sisters have, unfortunate as it is. The problem is, I would argue, that in a lot of ways Reason rules the day culturally and often churches pick up on it as well.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience reason has most definitely been elevated over emotion.. much the same as Scott described above. I, however, find myself branching out to other churches and other traditions. I constantly remind myself that there are most definitely good things about the tradition I come from. The person I am is hugely shaped by this background. However, I am just hugely drawn to emotion over reason in worship now that I have a choice in the matter. I also would love to see changes and I think they will come in time.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on which church that you attend. I've been to churches where emotions are elevated over reason, but I have also been to churches that have been opposite - and so I have experienced both. I believe that Worship is something that is meant to be between an individual and their creator - and so I think that you can approach your creator in whatever way you feel closest to Him. Whether that be through reason or emotion, I don't think that it really matters.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that the church I previously attended in Orangeville exemplified a healthy balance between reason and emotion with regards to worship. This question, however, caused me more to reflect on my own experience with worship within this church. Growing up I was definitely in the mindset that emotion was superior to reason when it came to worship. As I got older I think I started to value reason in worship a bit more and even came to a point where I thought something was wrong because I wasn't connecting with God on a strong emotional level like I used to. I think its important to remember that everyone is created differently and that some people might be geared more towards emotion and other towards reason. I think its healthy to engage in both of these aspects and find a church setting that nourishes your own balance between the two.
ReplyDeleteI think with all the above things being said, people still need to be careful how much the style of worship they choose to worship in affects their emotions. I do believe that many times being in a worship setting with loud, upbeat music can put us on an emotional high that is not necessarily a spiritual high but a sense of excitement from the music. I say this from experience, not from just what other people say from different sides of the conflict. I think it would be wonderful to have a church that could incorporate both the modern worship band as well as the more traditional hymns. But I do think we need to think carefully in whatever style we choose to worship in, and examine ourselves to see where our heart really lies.
ReplyDeleteBeing a member of a congregation, corporate worship is in essence communal. When I go to church I come as an individual to meet with other individuals to worship together. Worship is something that should permeate all our actions of everyday, it does not begin when we enter the building nor does it end when we leave. Our individual worship may look dramatically different, but when we get together there is a set "form" to how communal worship should look. I think it is beautiful to have different perspectives and ways of worship, because afterall, we are all worshiping the same God. The biggest thing that I think we need in churches is understanding of the neighbour, both what their strengths are, but especially where the struggle as to be careful to not trip them up--even if they may not be necissarily "in the right". We need to subtly nurture and be nurtured by those around us.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the style of worship to determine whether reason or emotion is elevated. I prefer the worship that elevates reason, because in my experience, when I learn about God and aspects of him, my emotions are elevated too. Ideally, the two would go hand in hand, that while we worship we commune with God and come to know him better (emphasis on knowing about him) thus understanding him better, and getting to know him relationally, and knowing God relationally is the most wonderful feeling.
ReplyDelete