I'd like to speak in brief on the subject of Art. One of the saddest things about being an Evangelical Christian is the lack of truly original art that is generated by this community. I was recently conversing with a friend about Catholic novelists, when I realised that there have been no modern evangelical (or many times even protestant) authors that have made a name for themselves in the literary world (at this point I'm going to have to veto LeHaye and Jenkins' Left Behind Series). If they are out there, I am currently unaware of them. Evangelicalism has failed to produce many aritists.

This is strange to me, because Christianity has a very rich artistic tradition. From the great religious paintings of the Renessaince, to Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress to the early composers of gospel hymns and spirituals. What I think limits the "art" generated by much of the Christian Evangelical community is that it is immitative, shallow, and uninclusive.

For proof of the evangelical obsession with the immitation of popular culture, simply walk into any Christian Bookstore. You will find shirts with Bible verses that spoof name brands. Cds will be hailed as the Christian parallel of a popular, secular artist. You will find many Christian "versions" of secular art. In order to appeal to popular culture, Christian art often works only by immitating what it sees. But what happens is the art looses its freshness and originality. While a musician seeks to immitate a secular musicians musical style, the lyrics are left trite and unappealing (which isn't to say there aren't exceptions; I find Switchfoot, Derek Webb, U2, to all be both original and uniquely Christian artists). Instead of paving the way for new artforms, we are more like a little brother tagging along with mainstream popular culture.

Many of the world's greatest artists have been depressive, alcoholics, loners, etc. Their art came from a deep well of pain in their life experiences. Anger, sadness, loneliness, fear, dispair are all powerful emotions that Christian artists often fail to fully draw upon. Often times a certain shallowness pervades Christian art. Its as if the attitude is "the Christian life should be a happy one, and so Christian art's primary themes should be those of love, joy and peace." However, much of Biblical writing contains a great deal of hurt and pain in a way that isn't always resolved. Christian novels often conclude with a trite and happy conclusion that alludes the lives of many real people. Paul himself writes about a thorn in the flesh that was never taken away. The lives of martyrs didn't end on necessarily happy notes. I fear that many Christian artists are fearful to draw fully on the "darker" emotions which constitute a very real part of the human existance.

Perhaps the greatest hindrance of Christian art, is the developement of a very unique Christian sub-pop-culture. This culture is subject to its own trends and band wagons. Many artists in appealing to this sub-culture, fail to capture the hearts and imagination of non-Christians. It is rare to find a successful evangelical author who publishes with a secular publishing agency. It is rare to find musicians that make serious air time on secular radio stations. The problem is, a Christian artist can make a living appealing only to Christians. But what is trendy to many Christians is heavily "spiritual" and not necessarily "artistic." Case in point: how often have you heard a popular Christian song with somewhat overly-inspiring lyrics and poorly written music?
Christians are often fearful of art outside the community. How many books have the Title "Finding God in______" or "The Gospel According to ________"? Its not that we shouldn't look for Christian truths outside the Bible, but perhaps Harry Potter, The Matrix, and the Lord of the Rings can stand for themselves with out being "spiritualized." Its as if we can't relate it dirrectly to God, it isn't worth our time.

So rise up artists of the new generation. How wonderful would it be to find a great American novel written by an evangelical. Or have an evangelical's work displayed in the the Smithsonian Museum of Art. Perhaps an evangelical musicain could be promoted on NPR? If God is the Father of all things creative, then surely His children can do more than pander to the whims of a fickle popular market that values personal spiritual experience over artistic integrity. Time will tell.