Art, Discipleship, and Faith in a Pluralistic Society

 

Summary

In our discussion today, we explored the profound role of visual arts within the church, emphasizing that art is an inescapable form of communication that can convey deep spiritual truths. Historically, God commanded the use of visual arts in the Tabernacle and Temple, indicating its significance in worship. While some traditions, like the Puritans, have been cautious about visual representations, especially of the deity, the broader Christian tradition has embraced art as a means to reflect the beauty and truth of the Gospel. The key is to ensure that art serves to glorify God and not become an object of worship itself.

We also delved into the concept of self-denial as a core aspect of Christian discipleship. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, which means submitting our will, ambitions, and desires to His lordship. This is not about self-abasement but about living in joyful obedience to God's Word, trusting in His providence, and finding joy even in trials. The idea of "self-suicide" was introduced to challenge the cultural norm of self-love and to emphasize the radical nature of following Christ.

Furthermore, we discussed the theological nuances of atonement, particularly the shift from "limited" to "definite" atonement. This change in terminology aims to clarify that Christ's atonement is effective and purposeful for those it was intended for, rather than merely being a potential salvation for all. This reflects a deeper understanding of God's sovereign plan in salvation.

Lastly, we touched on the challenges of living as Christians in a pluralistic society. The American context, with its emphasis on religious freedom and pluralism, presents unique challenges for maintaining the exclusivity of the Gospel. We must navigate these waters with wisdom, ensuring that our allegiance to Christ remains clear and uncompromised, even as we engage with the broader culture.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Role of Visual Arts in Worship: Visual arts have a significant place in the church, as they can communicate spiritual truths and reflect God's beauty. While care must be taken to avoid idolatry, art can enhance worship and point believers to the divine. [02:22]

2. Self-Denial and Discipleship: True discipleship involves denying oneself and submitting fully to Christ's lordship. This means living in obedience to God's Word and finding joy in His providence, even amidst trials. [10:29]

3. Definite Atonement: The shift from "limited" to "definite" atonement highlights the effectiveness and purposefulness of Christ's sacrifice. It underscores God's sovereign plan in salvation, ensuring that Christ's atonement is not just a possibility but a reality for the elect. [20:09]

4. Navigating Pluralism: Christians must navigate a pluralistic society with wisdom, maintaining the exclusivity of the Gospel while engaging with the culture. This requires a prophetic voice that stands firm in the truth of Christ amidst a polytheistic environment. [37:43]

5. Living in Empire: As Christians in a powerful nation, we must be reformational rather than revolutionary, using our influence wisely while refusing to compromise our worship of God alone. This involves recognizing the spiritual dangers of material success and maintaining our allegiance to Christ. [34:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Visual Arts in Worship
- [01:05] - The Role of Art in the Church
- [02:03] - Historical Context of Art in Worship
- [03:03] - Visual Artists in Residence
- [04:09] - Stained Glass and Christian Tradition
- [05:33] - Beauty in Church Architecture
- [06:04] - Representation of Deity in Art
- [07:23] - The Dangers of Idolatry
- [09:43] - Forms of Worship and Self-Denial
- [10:10] - Living a Life of Self-Denial
- [12:03] - The Concept of Self-Suicide
- [14:21] - The Cross as a Pattern for Life
- [16:52] - Identifying with Christ's Suffering
- [18:11] - Responding to God's Providence
- [20:09] - Understanding Definite Atonement
- [22:16] - Theological Implications of Atonement
- [27:13] - Broadening the Reformed Tradition
- [34:56] - Living in a Modern Empire
- [37:43] - Pluralism and Polytheism in Society

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 31:1-5 - God’s command for artistic craftsmanship in the Tabernacle.
2. Matthew 16:24 - Jesus’ call to self-denial and taking up the cross.
3. John 14:30 - Jesus speaks about the ruler of this world.

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Observation Questions:

1. What role did God assign to visual arts in the construction of the Tabernacle according to Exodus 31:1-5?
2. How does the sermon describe the historical use of visual arts in worship, and what was God's command regarding this? [02:43]
3. What does Jesus mean when He calls His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross in Matthew 16:24?
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of "self-suicide" in the context of Christian discipleship? [12:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the inclusion of visual arts in the Tabernacle and Temple reflect God's view on the use of art in worship? [02:43]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-denial is a joyful act of obedience rather than self-abasement? [11:03]
3. How does the sermon interpret the shift from "limited" to "definite" atonement, and what implications does this have for understanding salvation? [20:09]
4. What challenges does the sermon identify for Christians living in a pluralistic society, and how should they navigate these challenges? [37:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal experience with visual arts in worship. How have they enhanced or detracted from your spiritual experience? What steps can you take to ensure art in your worship context glorifies God? [02:22]
2. Consider a specific area in your life where you struggle with self-denial. What practical steps can you take to submit this area to Christ's lordship this week? [10:29]
3. How does understanding "definite atonement" change your perspective on the assurance of salvation? How can this understanding impact your daily walk with Christ? [20:09]
4. In what ways can you maintain the exclusivity of the Gospel in your interactions with people of different faiths or beliefs? How can you engage in these conversations with wisdom and grace? [37:43]
5. Identify a situation where you might be tempted to compromise your faith due to societal pressures. How can you prepare to stand firm in your beliefs in such situations? [34:56]
6. How can you use your influence in your community or workplace to reflect Christ's teachings without compromising your faith? [34:56]
7. Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you find joy in God's providence and trust in His plan through this experience? [11:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Visual Arts as a Window to the Divine
Visual arts have a profound role in the church, serving as a medium to communicate spiritual truths and reflect God's beauty. Historically, God instructed the use of art in sacred spaces like the Tabernacle and Temple, highlighting its importance in worship. While some Christian traditions have been cautious about visual representations, the broader tradition embraces art as a means to glorify God. The key is to ensure that art enhances worship and points believers to the divine, rather than becoming an object of worship itself. This balance allows art to serve as a window through which the beauty and truth of the Gospel can be seen and experienced. [02:22]

Exodus 31:1-5 (ESV): "The Lord said to Moses, 'See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.'"

Reflection: How can you use your creative gifts to reflect God's beauty and truth in your community today?


Day 2: Embracing Self-Denial in Discipleship
True discipleship involves a radical call to self-denial, where one submits fully to Christ's lordship. This means living in joyful obedience to God's Word, even amidst trials, and finding joy in His providence. The concept of "self-suicide" challenges the cultural norm of self-love, emphasizing the transformative nature of following Christ. It is not about self-abasement but about aligning one's will, ambitions, and desires with God's purposes. This path of self-denial leads to a deeper relationship with Christ and a life that reflects His love and sacrifice. [10:29]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 3: Understanding Definite Atonement
The shift from "limited" to "definite" atonement highlights the effectiveness and purposefulness of Christ's sacrifice. This theological nuance underscores God's sovereign plan in salvation, ensuring that Christ's atonement is not just a possibility but a reality for the elect. It reflects a deeper understanding of how God's grace is applied specifically and effectively to those He has chosen. This perspective invites believers to rest in the assurance of their salvation, knowing that Christ's sacrifice was intentional and complete for them. [20:09]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: How does understanding the concept of definite atonement affect your view of God's love and grace in your life today?


Day 4: Navigating Faith in a Pluralistic Society
Living as Christians in a pluralistic society presents unique challenges, especially in maintaining the exclusivity of the Gospel. The American context, with its emphasis on religious freedom and pluralism, requires believers to navigate these waters with wisdom. It is essential to engage with the broader culture while ensuring that one's allegiance to Christ remains clear and uncompromised. This involves having a prophetic voice that stands firm in the truth of Christ amidst a polytheistic environment, offering a distinct and transformative witness to the world. [37:43]

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

Reflection: In what ways can you engage with someone from a different belief system this week, while clearly and lovingly sharing the hope you have in Christ?


Day 5: Living Faithfully in a Modern Empire
As Christians living in a powerful nation, there is a call to be reformational rather than revolutionary, using influence wisely while refusing to compromise worship of God alone. This involves recognizing the spiritual dangers of material success and maintaining allegiance to Christ. Believers are called to live distinctively, using their positions and resources to reflect God's kingdom values. This requires discernment and courage to stand firm in faith, even when cultural pressures push towards conformity. [34:56]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: How can you use your influence and resources to promote God's kingdom values in your community or workplace today?

Quotes



I think historically there's a significant role and a place in the church for the visual arts and I pointed out yesterday how if a person objects in principle to the use of visual art in the sanctuary then they have to object to what God himself explicitly commanded for his Tabernacle and for his temple in the Old Testament where he not only allowed the visual arts to be adorning his Tabernacle but he commanded it. [00:02:28]

I think the focal question is whether the deity ought to be represented either in the Incarnate State or the pre-incarnate state in Visual Arts and I would stand with the reformed Puritan tradition on that and say no the deity neither incarnate nor pre-incarnate ought to be represented in art, which is not to say there's no place for Christian artists and artworks in all sorts of circumstances and conditions. [00:05:57]

I think our is exactly right that visual imagery is inescapable it's not whether we will have it as whether it's going to be good or bad I believe that that includes representation of biblical stories and so forth but we have to be aware of a thousand years of a bad habit that grew up in the Christian church that had Direct ramifications, direct connection to the second commandment. [00:08:31]

Living a life of self-denial living a life that disdains the world is simply living a life of absolute obedience to the word of God, worshiping in spirit and in truth reflected in obedience to what the word of God reveals as God's will. I don't think it's anything particularly mystical and I don't think it's sort of endless self-abasement or artificial means such as you know Monkish practices might indicate. [00:10:38]

I mean it's a jarring statement in our culture a culture literally fed on self-love to even talk about self-denial um but we're so used to self-love self-esteem everything being fulfillment for us that I wanted to go completely in the opposite direction. It's really the end of you self-suicide I mean I'm done I'm finished I bow my knee completely to the lordship of Jesus Christ. [00:12:03]

The New Testament sees it not simply as the foundation stone but the ongoing pattern. Returning to church architecture you know for centuries the church built its buildings in the shape of a cross in order to make precisely that point that not just the foundation of the Gospel lies in the death and resurrection of Christ but the shape of the church and the shape of the individual life is an ongoing outworking of Union with Christ and his death and resurrection. [00:14:00]

The shift from "limited" to "definite" atonement highlights the effectiveness and purposefulness of Christ's sacrifice. It underscores God's sovereign plan in salvation, ensuring that Christ's atonement is not just a possibility but a reality for the elect. This reflects a deeper understanding of God's sovereign plan in salvation. [00:20:09]

Our chief concern is not to say that the atonement is limited, although that's true, our chief concern is to say that the atonement is definitive and effective for those for whom it was offered. So I think to try to prevent lack of understanding on the part of many that we simply want to say some are in or some are out. [00:20:57]

I believe that economic Empires are comparatively more benign than totalitarian or ideological Empires. If the commies wanted to take over they wanted to kill me or take me off to the goog and take all my stuff. In the American Empire they just want to sell me a Windows upgrade. [00:34:56]

Christians have to learn how to live in Empire without being revolutionaries we need to be reformational not revolutionaries. I think it's right and proper for us to occupy positions of influence within this developing reality but I believe it's a Concrete real tangible Empire with economic consequences and Wars result in order to keep the Empire growing and expanding. [00:35:56]

Polytheistic Empires are generally economic pragmatic and we have a name for that polytheism our civil name for polytheism is pluralism so every time someone says pluralism is the way to go they're saying polytheism is the way to go. We should recognize that we live in a polytheistic and pluralistic society we do just like Paul recognized that Athens was full of Idols but he didn't make his peace with it. [00:37:43]

I think it's important for us to distinguish what is true and right and godly from what is simply National bruhaha. I think it's also important to pick up the point that if it was true that Joseph was able to function in Egypt of all places and that Daniel was able to operate in Babylon of all places, one of my close friends from university has for years being a Cabinet member of the government of Nigeria. [00:43:04]

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Transcript
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