LISA RISTING | staff writer
Enjoying plays, musicals, concerts or art gallerys is something we all can partake in from time to time, but personally, I have seldom considered what engaging in such activities might mean for my Christian faith. Doing so has caused me to ask the question: Do I have an obligation to censor my artistic expression for the sake of my Christian witness?
I think that there is a distinction between having an obligation, and having a choice. Artists in any artistic outlet are in control of what they portray and how they portray it.
Christians in particular should always take into account what their actions portray to those around them.
However, this being said, if Christians are truly children of God and seek to be active members of his kingdom, shouldn’t what they express and create be an overflow of their desire to honor and glorify him?
I am a dancer and have been for at least 16 years of my life. This is one of many ways I choose to artistically express myself. I do believe God blessed me with the ability to dance and I will always do it with thankfulness to Him for the gift.
However, I do not think that I need to always find churches, youth groups, or Christian functions to dance at or with.
I think it is quite possible and definitely permissible to be a dancer who is a Christian but is not necessarily dancing in Christian arenas.
Dr. David Esselstrom, a professor in the English department, makes a critical distinction between a Christian artist and an artist who is Christian. I think he makes a necessary separation here.
According to Esselstrom, to be a Christian artist is to be using the gift of art to pointedly and purposefully move others toward the kingdom of God.
However, for a practicing artists who also call themselves children of God, the artistic practice becomes the primary focus, and Christianity is not necessarily on the forefront.
I do not think that it would be alright for Christians to decide to completely separate their artistic practices from their Christianity, but being an artist who is a Christian does not ultimately imply that your artwork will always openly portray purposefully Christian themes and mantras.
When will the secular world be reached if all artists merely use their expression within realms of Christian boundaries?
What would the secular world think of our faith if all we spoke of, sang of, wrote about and moved to was about Christ and our own faith. We would be off-putting to those who don’t currently agree with our faith or understand our stance.
We are called to be in the world and not of it. And this, I think, allows us to engage in expressions of art within the world.
Christian institutions and arenas have been opposed to those things that are catalysts for change within our faith for centuries.
There will always be people who are adverse to something that turns heads from conservative traditions. And to those people I would say, I respect your position and your practices, but I would equally request that you respect mine.
I want to use the gift of dance that God gave me. Even though dance is not something all Christians believe should be practiced, and even though it will not be supported by some, I believe God gave me a gift and wants me to use it.
And through artistic expression in the secular world, I will come into contact with many people and be able to tell them about my faith and my Savior.
However, it will not be confined to the boundaries of a church or Christian institution.
Artists, I challenge you to express yourself with the gifts God has given to you.
Remember to honor and glorify God with your life, but use your gifts and talents in this world, so the world may see your abilities. Social norms and acceptance will change. Do not be afraid of adversity.
If you never begin to dance, sing, act, write or draw, no one will ever be able to see what a beautiful form of artistic expression and even of worship these things can be.
