Author-Madeleine L’Engle
Publisher-Shaw
ISBN-0-87788-918-X
This book is categorized as ‘Christianity and the Arts’. Its subtitle is ‘reflections on faith and art’. Both these definitions capture something of the subject matter of the book. It was first published in 1972 and has been reprinted a number of times and many Christian artists, writers and musicians testify to the helpful insight it has brought to them. There is a mix of the wisdom of the author, some candid self-revelations by which the reader is along the road into the world of the Christian artist. There is a depth of understanding in what is shared and this is always biblically based. Beginning with the fundamental fact that man is the image bearer of God and that God is the Great Creator, the author shows how man must engage in that activity which some call creativity and others would label by some less apparently arrogant word. The first chapter is entitled ‘Cosmos from Chaos’ and sets the tone. The place of art in its various forms is to be that which brings forth order. There must be the giving room to the emergence of the story, as in the case of a writer. It must be waited upon as the composition of music. It cannot be commanded. The requirement of silent waiting and a submissive but active watching of things, all these and much more are discussed in various ways. The place that sorrow and trials of various kinds take in the forming of the artist is examined. In so many ways there is a distinct correlation in the experience of the Christian artist and the Christian minister and prophet. We all share in the bounty of Christ’s gift, do we give room to the operation of those varied gifts? The author makes us consider a whole swathe of artists, musicians and writers from many eras and not only from those who are Christian but rather showing that in the writings of scientists, psychologists and philosophers there are those concepts which correlate with that which is truly Christian. “If our lives are truly hid with Christ in God the astounding thing is that this hiddenness will be revealed in all that we do and say and write.” This sentence sums up the book’s thesis and also indicates its challenge to those of us rather locked up in a narrower perception of things. All those who desire to write, to play music, to paint, will find help in reading this book. It is a book to ponder upon.
