Art and the Bible: Two Essays (L'Abri Pamphlets) [Paperback]

Francis A. Schaeffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1973

Much modern art, like a Giacometti sculpture, portrays man in alienation, loneliness, despair. Was art always like this? Must it always focus on the lostness of man?Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer, a theologian with a deep interest in the arts, shows how the Bible records the use of various art forms in the Old Testament times. Then, turning to the contemporary scene, he suggests eleven perspectives within which a Christian view of art can take shape.For the Christian the arts can be a source of joy, a symbol of the creativity that marks the mannishness of man, man himself being made in the image of God the creator. For the Christian artist the sky is not the limit. Because he can distinguish between reality and illusion, he is the one whose imagination can "fly beyond the stars."

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Features & Benefits *A new edition of an IVP classic *Written by a respected theologian with a deep interest in the arts *Suggests eleven perspectives within which a Christian view of art can take shape --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Schaeffer founded the L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland and was the author of many books. Until his death in 1984, he was also a noted speaker with a worldwide ministry.

Other IVP Books by this author:

The Mark of the Christian The God Who Is There (30th Anniversary Edition) Genesis in Space and Time Escape from Reason

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (May 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877844437
• ISBN-13: 978-0877844433
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,021,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture, Francis A. Schaeffer authored more than twenty books, which have been translated into a score of languages and sold millions worldwide. He and his wife, Edith, founded L'Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers. Schaeffer passed away in 1984, but his influence and legacy continue worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art for the discerning Christian, April 26, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Art and the Bible: Two Essays (L'Abri Pamphlets) (Paperback)

Having the complete set of Dr. Schaeffer's works, I've enjoyed reading his work.

This short essay zooms in on an area of life which the Christian church in the not too distant past has virtually given to the devil. The arts definitely need to be restored as a vital part of the life of Christ's kids.

Schaeffer provides his views on the necessary discernmnet for this restoration of all the arts: music, painting, sculpture, poetry, etc.

He rightly contends that the impetus for this is Biblical. From the specifications to the OT temple to the adornment in the city of God with jewels, God certainly appreciates and recommendends that His church adorn itself with such.

The author provides counter suggestions to those who do not wish to confess the Christian world-view, nor would want their art to have any message.

Especially appreciated his encouragement to appreciate the great artistic talents and expertise of those who do not wxhibit the Christian world-view.

This is very well balanced biblical exhortation to recover the promote the arts within Christianity. Amen, Francis!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Christians & non-Christians on impact of art, May 28, 2000

By 

"jovaldo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and the Bible: Two Essays (L'Abri Pamphlets) (Paperback)

This book, a collection of two essays about art and its relationship to Christianity and Christian philosophy is fascinating.

First, one major positive is Schaeffer's calling for the Christian to apply several criteria to art and the evaluation of it. He strongly discourages a purely "romantic" interepretation of art (meaning just how it makes you "feel.") He implores the Christian (and the non-Christian for that matter) to make full use of both intellect and emotion (as well as a host of other criteria.)

The first essay concentrates on what the Bible actually has to say about art. The second essay concentrates on the physical creation of art, intention of art, impact, and several other dimensions of this many-sided subject. It touches on some basic principals of philosophy of art as well as the Christian world view. Also, of extreme importance is the subsection on art within its cultural context.

My only complaint is the short length of the book. Schaeffer occasionally didn't fully explore an idea. I know an exhaustive treatise could never be devised, but this is a lot of subject matter to tackle in a 63 page book. On the other hand though, this concise pamphlet will get his ultimate points across and is accessible to those who don't have philosophy or art history degrees.

This book is a welcome addition to both art criticism and the Christian perspective on art.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Perspective, November 19, 2002

By 

Gene Twilley "GTwilley" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Art and the Bible: Two Essays (L'Abri Pamphlets) (Paperback)

"The Lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no Platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul, and redemption is for the whole man." - Francis Schaeffer - Art and the Bible

Francis Schaeffer doesn't give us a step by step informative essay on how we should analyze art in today's culture, but gives us insight and perspective to better understand the beauty found in what today's artists are producing. For those of us who are part of the Church, we have too long condemned those things that may be taken as valuable (though not necessarily ultimately determinant) and have alienated those who might want to pursue the arts. Especially in our culture have we been given an opportunity to engage an intellectual and beauty loving crowd of which we may not have even known before recent technological advances!

I love Francis Schaeffer's mind and heart, and I think that both of them are exemplified freely through this short work. I would suggest reading it on the basis that it is thought provoking and encouraging in the area of arts. When I began college, I wrote a lot of poetry, but stopped as I lost interest and time over the years. Reading Schaeffer's work gave me a new found inspiration in wanting to write as I come to understand, not only through what he has written, but also through what is said in Scripture, that God is one who enjoys the reflection of His beauty and creativity through the work of His creation.

As evangelical Christians adhering to the precepts in the Bible, we must come to realize that Spirituality is not defined by plastering the name Jesus over all of our work, or projecting crosses and ichthus(es)(?) on our lives just so people will know that what we're displaying is an outwardly Christian message. That's what the Pharisees did with their false sense of righteousness. Schaeffer's desire (in my estimation) is that the people of God will come to realize that excellence is a reflection of God's divine presence, and that we need not lose depth in our writing or other forms of art for the sake of "evangelism." The Lord will reveal Himself through the excellence and beauty of what we produce, not to mention that faith comes by hearing the Word - the gospel of our salvation - not through cheesy Christian art.

"As evangelical Christians, we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of human life we feel is more important. Despite our constant talk about the Lordship of Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality. We have misunderstood the concept of the Lordship of Christ over the whole of man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives, and for our culture." Francis Schaeffer - Art and the Bible