I am reading two books about visual images of God. Both are defenses of the practice of making images to represent God. One is specifically about the development of Christocentric images and images of God the Father from the Early Church through the Middle Ages. It is entitled "Seeing God". The second is more specifically about the justification of the making of images of Jesus. It is entitled "Seeing Salvation".
They both have historically interesting information about the Church and Art, but the one thing that is evident in both is their reliance on various "Church Fathers" to base their "evidence" for the making and using of images of Jesus and God the Father. They are always arguing against Scripture instead of with Scripture. Anyone with a belief in the inerrant Word of God should be concerned.

As the duality of Christ continues to cause trials for artists, the trite "Christian" imagery of the bearded figure with the kind eyes and olive complexion, or worse, the ethno-centric blasphemies of different cultures trying to "own" the appearance of Jesus, I often dwell on the absence of imagery of the early Church. The "Jewish" Church avoided all forms of imagery in worship because of the Second Commandment. It wasn't until over two centuries later that the first Apollonian influenced images of a supposed "Christ" figure, with Apollo's shining Nimbus in full glory and shaven face, show up in catacombs when the Pagans began becoming "Christian". Their liberal views of worship soon permeated the more doctrinally sound synagogal worship along with many other influences from cultures that had no foundation in Christ's Old Testament.

As I slowly work on developing this blog, I expect it will wander quite a bit. Right now my soon to be one year old son is entertaining himself in our playroom. We are in the midst of a missions conference at our church and I am also trying to figure out when I can get into my studio. As I continue to struggle with being a husband, father of four, provider, teacher, and artist, I often wonder about what God has in store for my family. The direction I want my Art to take is more about content than aesthetics, but the craftsmanship, to me, is very important. I am no Sunday painter so lets see where this path takes me.

Are other Reformed Christian Artists out there?

The Decline of Christian Art

I am just one voice "crying in the wilderness". I am calling those who define themselves as Christians, as defined by the great, historic Christian creeds, to be diligent in pursuing and demanding Fine Art that glorifies God's Word.