Critical Theory’s War on the Individual

February 18, 2022

Contending for the Faith Training for Pastors and Christian Citizens

March 7, 2021

“Christians…ought not to be threatened by fantasy and imagination…for they have a basis for knowing the difference between them and the real world ‘out there’…The Christian is the really free man…free to have imagination. This too is our heritage. The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars.”

– Francis Schaeffer

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. – Philippians 4:8

Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it. – John Paul II

The first step – especially for young people with energy and drive and talent, but not money – the first step to controlling your world is to control your culture. To model and demonstrate the kind of world you demand to live in. To write the books. Make the music. Shoot the films. Paint the art. – Chuck Palahniuk

It would be possible to describe everything scientifically, but it would make no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure. – Albert Einstein

A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light. – Leonardo da Vinci

Art is powerful. Its influence extends beyond the theater and museum into the bedrooms, boardrooms, and courtrooms of our nations. Stories portrayed on stage or in film seep into the public consciousness, slowly creating a culture in their image. Ideas sang repeatedly on local radio stations find sway in the hearts of unknowing listeners. The mediums of art are vast, but each one has the ability to mold our understanding of reality.

As believers in Jesus Christ, the arts provide us with an opportunity to convey Scriptural truths to a society longing for substance. By creating good art – advertisements, literature, paintings, photographs, dance – we can have a profound impact on those around us. We can sculpt the ideas and actions of an entire generation, enabling them to see and serve God as He deserves. Salt & Light Global encourages each citizen statesman to actively create God-honoring culture by utilizing their skills and talents to write, draw, act, or otherwise produce art.

The following resources are provided for informational use only and are not necessarily endorsed by Salt & Light Global. They should always be examined against Scripture, our primary resource. If you would like to add resources to this list, please contact us.

Articles & Books

Art in Action: Toward a Christian Aesthetic, Nicholas Wolterstorff
The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives, Lajos Egri
“The Challenge of Christian Journalism”, Collin Hansen
“The Christian and the Arts”, Jimmy Williams
Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling, Andy Crouch
The Healing Power of Stories: Creating Yourself through the Stories of Your Life, Daniel Taylor
The Heart of the Artist, Rory Noland
“How to Start an Arts Ministry in Your Church”, J. Scott McElroy & Jessie Nilo
Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts, Steve Turner
The Liberated Imagination: Thinking Christianly about the Arts, Leland Ryken
Modern Art and the Death of a Culture, H.R. Rookmaaker
The State of the Arts: From Bezalel to Mapplethorpe, Gene Edward Veith
Unlocking the Heart of the Artist, Matt Tommey
Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, Madeleine L’Engle
“What is Christian Art?”, Jeff Crist

Ministries, Organizations & Events

Critical Theory’s War on the Individual

Contending for the Faith Training for Pastors and Christian Citizens

– Francis Schaeffer

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