Creating for the Lost

When we step back and take a broad look at the use of the arts within the church, we find two primary practices: art for the self and art for the church. Many creative individuals, myself included, have benefited from the expressive and meditative aspects of creating art. We also see the arts used more broadly to benefit the whole body of believers. Corporate worship through music is an obvious example, but let’s not forget the extensive collection of Christian fiction and literature, music, film, and visual arts at our disposal. Of course, these two uses of the arts are valuable, and regardless of your own perceived creativity ability, you have likely found that some form of art influenced your walk with the Lord. However, I now want to present a challenge – a third use for the arts that I believe is often underutilized.

Art for the Lost

To better understand what this means and what it can look like, let us first examine the creative nature of God and the model set for us through Jesus Christ. In the scriptures, God first introduces Himself as the Creator. He is also referred to as the Author of life (Romans 3:15) and the potter (Romans 9:21), and the Psalmist says, “out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth” (Psalm 50:2). These are just a few examples, but the scriptural evidence of God’s creative nature is abundant. Simply consider the intricate details woven throughout the universe, from the vast expanse of stars to the delicate flowers that adorn the forest floor; we can see that our God is an artist. And when God made mankind, He made us with the ability to continue in His creative work. God designed us to tend to the earth and bring forth life and beauty, but while this ability was not completely lost, it was surely tainted by the Fall. Yet God’s own creative work was not complete.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…” (Romans 1:20). From the beginning of creation, beauty was not only for the joy and glory of God but for the good of those who would lose their way. Like golden lights along a dark and winding road, the Lord gave us beauty to assure us there is still hope and goodness in the world. Jesus chose to use stories, parables, and visual symbolism throughout his ministry to help others understand and see truth. In fact, the entire Bible is evidence of God’s creative use of story to reach and to teach us about Himself and the kingdom.

What would happen to the world around us if more Christian creatives focused their craft with the lost in mind as God modeled? What if we saw our art as an outlet for the light that is meant to shine into the darkness? God is the true Author, yet He has given us each a unique story and ability so that we can partake in the story of redemption unfolding all around us. How can we better steward our skills or support the artists in our lives to partake in this kingdom work? Perhaps we start by simply letting artists be artists, and then we create with the lost in mind. One of the greatest gifts of a creative mind is the ability to think outside the box, to imagine, to innovate, and to help others see the world in a new way. Each piece of art is a conversation between the artist and the viewer. When such people are sanctified, and their attention is turned first to the glorious and eternal things and secondly to the mission at hand of reaching lost souls, there will be fruit. Exciting stories and beautiful things naturally draw us in. Therefore, we have an easy opportunity to engage the lost by creating art that stirs their souls and tugs at buried hopes of a goodness and a peace longed for yet feels out of reach. When they are engaged in such a way, we have all the evidence we need through God’s wonderful creation and His glorious Word to reveal the origin of it all and the reason for their longing.

Sharing the gospel should be a part of every Christian’s life. While art is certainly not necessary to complete the task, its usefulness is also not something we should ignore. Jesus already created the bridge needed to be with God; we adorn lanterns to light the way.