3 Personal struggles making “Christian” Art

I’ve been making digital art, recorded songs and animated short films for many years now. Recently I have felt an overwhelming depression (midlife (1/3) crisis) towards my artistic endeavours after my animation “Gold Truth” seemed to lack the impact I expected. Though these feelings are not new to me and there is a regular assessing of me pursuing “Christian” art.

I’m not talking about the lack of motivation to draw tedious animations but a struggle with my purpose in making Christian art.

Sure, I can make art, and given enough time I could be great at it; winning people to God and encouraging fellow believers, but at the end of the day I do not answer to them, I answer to God.

Let me share with you 3 struggles I have identified in the battle of my mind when it comes to making Christian art.

Idolatry

Even if creating the most wholesome, family friendly “Christian” art there can still be a sinful element.

I am quite the introvert at times and can be very engrossed in a single activity, drawing being just one of those things. Spending hours drawing, making up stories and even spending many times through out the day (and night) just thinking about what I can create unto God’s glory. Though it is disheartening when feeling joy in God but then I think about making something. Like I have more joy in making something than the very joy I get from God.

On a broader scale, what if I made great “Christian” art? Would it actually lead people to become Christians or would it just lead people to idolise my art like we can so easily do with secular entertainment?

Using entertainment to win people over to Christ could create shallow converts who will easily turn to something other than God when things get difficult.

It is disheartening to think that art I make, with the intention to lead people to God, may be leading people away from Him, to some man made thing.

Though I’m reminded of David playing the harp for king Saul. I’m sure it was good and righteous even though it influenced Saul to want to murder David.
Also, God created creation to point people to Himself yet throughout the ages we humans often worship the creation over the creator.

So, maybe this is just our human condition that we must struggle in.
I cannot fix it despite my best efforts to reduce causing it and God is still working at it, one by one (conversion), bit by bit (Sanctification) transforming people from sin to Himself.

I guess I should just focus on trying to point people to God and let God do His work in peoples hearts.

Forcing God, failing to create good art

There can seem to be no market for Christian art, people don’t desire it.
Given the choice would you rather see the latest Kendrick brothers movie or Marvel movie?

I’m all for God in art and entertainment. (Often after watching a movie I wonder what would happen if God was present in the situation or even a (true) Christian.)
But I think it does both sides a disservice by presenting art, then forcing God into it in an unnatural and unpleasant way.

Christian art just seems to lack the entertainment value that mainstream media has.
Is it too focussed on evangelism being the goal and failing at the goal of actually being art?

Do you know what I mean?
The common plot of a horrible situation that is impossible for human efforts to fix, then a God/god moment happens and makes everything better.
This is a common story telling device (Deus ex machina) but often Christian art can get it wrong and it comes across as jarring to the story. I have been guilty of this myself.

I Love Jesse

Like a random person walking up to you and saying “Jesus Loves you!”, there is a dishonour of human interaction that reduces people to robots: Hear these words, repeat this passage, and now you know God and are a Christian? In our eagerness we forget to engage the heart of people which is the very thing art is supposed to do.

Imagine a Christian baker who’s main goal was evangelism. They spend hours crafting bible verses onto each thing they sell but when it comes to customers they don’t have many because the bread doesn’t taste good. That is what “Christian” art can seem to be. If the Christian baker actually did their job properly in making good bread they would honour God and their life would be a witness to people of God.

Again, imagine if God obnoxiously put Bible verses over all creation. Every rock, sunset and forehead.
Would that truly communicate who God is and convert all to God?
I’m guessing God had a purpose in creating the things the way He did, with more than plain theology.
And doesn’t God want to convert the hearts and minds of people more than we do?

Let me ask you.
Was theology the only thing that caused you to be a Christian?
From my experience I need both Biblical truth along with the real life experience of God in my life to be devoted to Him.

Art expresses and inspires the heart.
When you see marvellous things our hearts have a sense of awe.
Even the unbelieving world cannot deny the wonder of creation.
God uses creation as a witness of Himself. Softly (yet with loud obviousness) drawing people to Him.

Though some still are oblivious to God when marvelling at His creation, when we (Christians) marvel at His works in nature, physics, social construct etc we can adore Him.

Purpose

With the pitfalls that can happen and a lack of general interest in Christian art it is easy to want to just give up.
Do we even need Christian art?

I think the answer may be no. No we don’t need it.
But like much of this world that God has given, it is not needed but it is an abundance of blessing.

Not only did God make food to nourish us but also made it taste, look, feel, sound and smell good. The practicality was met and an excess of beauty was also given, not to mention the varieties, combinations and methods of preparing food.

But this still begs the question. God has already made so many great things to be enjoyed.
Do we even need Christian art?
Maybe not.
But just like the behaviour of our creator we still are eager to go above our practical needs and participate in creating art.

Furthermore, all of creativity has foundations in Gods creation. In some way we are always copying God when being creative. I wonder if God is even glorified in various art forms (without scripture) as they point out different aspects of His creation.

Life is more than the function of staying alive.
We are to enjoy life and there is no greater joy found in God.

Conclusion

In attempts at making great art, I could sin, cause others to sin and influence shallow believers.

In attempts at preaching the gospel in art, people may continue to see “Christian” art as ugly art and God could be misrepresented.

Like much of the things in life there is a good way and a sinful way of doing them, and art is no different. Finding that specifically is difficult and requires more wisdom than I can offer.

There certainly are a lot of thoughts to be had, but I’m glad things are a lot clearer in my mind having written them this way. Despite the clarifications I’m sure I will continue to struggle with the above thoughts for the rest of my life.

What are your battles with making “Christian” art?