Riverwood Presbyterian Church

Arts & Aesthetics

Beauty Works

by Jeff Miller

I was trolling through some back issues of Credenda Agenda recently & came across this article about beauty & the lost concepts of architecture as art. Function and form (like science and religion) are not antithetical, but in proper aspects, exponentially complimentary.

We have developed a very narrow and short sighted view of the arts and aesthetics in our culture. It has devolved to the point that architecture is rarely considered among the arts (neither do the works produced don’t demand artistic discussion of late, but I digress).

The above listed article answers the following questions beautifully:

Q. Why should Christians reflect more upon architecture?

Q. How does an architect begin to think about creativity?

Q. How do you answer the pietistic objection that spending time on architecture is laying up “treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt”?

Q. Are there any distinctive aesthetic values of Protestantism, especially the Reformed tradition, which might shape an architectural style or vision?

Consider these questions & then look at the answers in the article. I’d be interested in seeing what discussion this fosters.

Here is the ‘nutshell quote’ from the concluding section:

We must study His artistic work, the universum itself. Before us lie patterns, rules, and principles of design which spring directly from His manifold perfections. Dorothy Sayers observed “As the mind of the maker has been made manifest in a work, a way of communication is established between our mind and his.” The mind of our Maker is manifest in the creation. When we draw from the ordering principles of the architect of the cosmos, we establish a setting in which beauty can emerge. Alas, these principles have been abandoned in our generation. But our buildings, whether in our cities or countryside must again quake with intimations of God’s great Glory through their magnificent beauty, embodiment of eternal principles in fine proportions, a sublime harmony of parts, and carefully crafted, appropriate materials. These are so deeply rooted in the stunning beauty of the created order, they will either serve God’s purposes for the redemption or condemnation of those who suppress the truth of His eternal nature and power.

Beauty- it’s not just for the museum anymore. It’s required of the imagebearers of God.

Jeff