What Makes Art “Christian”– And Does it Matter?

Some art is undeniably Christian. A worship song, for instance. Or a stained glass window depicting a Biblical character. But what about a love song, or a painting of a sunset, or a story about a single mother?

What makes a novel, or a song, or a movie or any piece of art Christian?

• It was created by a Christian artist.
• It clearly communicates the gospel.
• The subject matter is related to the Bible or its teachings.
• It is based on a Christian worldview.
• It was created with the intent to glorify God.
• It brings a message of truth to the world.
• It was published or produced by a Christian company or organization.

Is it any one of those? A mixture of them all?

Must a gospel truth be stated clearly in order for the art to be considered Christian, or does any work that bases its underlying philosophy on Christian truth qualify?

Sometimes it seems that in order to have value, art produced by a Christian must include a clear gospel message. I am all for stories and songs that point clearly and unashamedly to the gospel. But I do not agree with the philosophy that without a clear gospel message, art has no value. Yes we are called to bring truth to a hurting world, but that does not mean we must tack a gospel outline onto everything we do. In fact, I think forcing any message where is does not occur naturally is counterproductive.

An Example:

I have occasionally attended a play or musical performed at a church or school where, after the production was over, someone delivered a speech attempting to relate the performance to the gospel.

This makes my toes curl!

If I were a non-believer, this sermonette at the end of the performance would feel like false advertising. I came to see a play. Sneaking a sermon in at the end seems like a cheap trick.

What is wrong with enjoying a quality story for itself? Or is God not glorified by our art unless we somehow mention the fact that Jesus came to save the world?

Are these beautiful windows “Christian”?

Messages are for Western Union

What gives art value is not its message, but its quality. First and foremost, great art demonstrates fine craftsmanship. But quality is also a gauge of how well something accomplishes the job for which it was created. Some writers write books that explore hot-button issues; others write merely to entertain. Some write stories where the character is impacted by a gospel message. Others write stories about characters who struggle to make sense of a world where God seems not to hear.  All can have value. All can make a difference in people’s lives. Are some less Christian because they don’t spell out the gospel in so many words?

I understand that labeling something as Christian is handy way of classifying it as “generally wholesome, inoffensive, and/or promoting godly truth.” But we should be careful not to consider everything outside that box as less-Christian or un-Christian.

In fact, stories lacking an overt Christian message may be more effective in taking truth to a hurting world–a world that shies away from anything labeled Christian. A world that closes its ears at the first hint of preachiness. A world that has no reason to choose a low-budget movie with “a great message” instead of a skillfully made and marketed blockbuster.

Maybe we need to broaden our understanding of what makes art Christian. Maybe God is glorified by that love song, because it promotes a godly concept of love. Maybe God is glorified by all art that points to the beauty of his creation. Maybe that story about a struggling single mother, the one that never mentions Jesus a single time, can still point people to truth, because an author’s worldview naturally comes across in their writing.

Maybe, instead of tsking or making accusations of selling out to worldly values, we should get behind artists who are brave enough to take their art outside the Christian bubble and try to reach a hurting world.