THE NEED

At certain times in history, the arts have played a strategic role in the life and mission of the Church. At others they were largely abandoned due to the perception of an intrinsic moral and spiritual bankruptcy. However, there has probably never been a time in which a biblical understanding of the arts is more needed by the Church than in our present visual and image-oriented postmodern culture.

The neglect of the imagination in life and faith has had a destructive impact on the Body of Christ for a very long time. However, during the past few decades there has been a global renewal of interest in the arts and the imagination amongst believers. Like the ancient Jews in exile, it is time for God’s people to weep over our (cultural) disobedience and neglect of God’s good and creative gifts. It is time for the artist and the church to weep together over their mutual alienation.  And, it is time for our tears to turn into action. The stones need to be removed. A highway must be constructed.