RESOURCES ON THE ARTS, CULTURE & FAITH
GENERAL WORKS | JOURNALS & MAGAZINES | AUDIO AND VIDEO RESOURCES | ORGANIZATIONS |
Bass, Alice, The Creative Life, (Downers Grove, Ill: Cleveland OH: IVP, 2001). Believing that God has called everyone to creative living in daily affairs, this book will help you explore God's design for your creative life.
Bausch, William, Storytelling: Imagination and Faith, (Mystic, Conn.: Twenty-Third Publications, 1984). Bausch celebrates the power of stories for passing on truths and myths from one generation to the next within religious and secular traditions.
Begbie, Jeremy S., Voicing Creation’s Praise, (Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1991). A timely discussion from the perspective of a well-read theologian that points out the desperate need to regain the lost Christian voice in our postmodern arts.
Begbie, Jeremy, ed., Beholding the Glory: Incarnation through the Arts, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 2000). A collection of essays looking at links between the doctrine of incarnation and various art forms including literature, poetry, dance and music.
Best, Harold M., Music Through the Eyes of Faith, (San Francisco: Harper,
1993).
This thought-provoking work, one of a series co-sponsored by the Council of
Christian Colleges and Universities, examines the connections between music
making and faith.
Blogg, Martin, Dance and the Christian Faith, (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1985). Examines what the bible says about both dance and worship, and relates it to an understanding of what dance is and how it can be used in the church and education today.
Bond, Fiona, The Arts in Your Church, (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 2001). This work is a valuable resource for those thinking about how to engage the arts in a church setting. The author brings a wealth of experience to her writing.
Brand, Hilary and Adrienne Chaplin, Art and Soul: Signposts for Christians in the Arts, (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 2001). This work focuses mainly on visual arts and offers valuable insights for shaping a biblical worldview on creativity.
Brown, Frank Burch, Good Taste, Bad Taste and Christian Taste: Aesthetics and Religious Life, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000). A unique historical look at responses to the arts and beauty and issues related to taste, art and religious life.
Bustard, Ned, ed., It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God, (Baltimore, MD: Square Halo Books, 2000). A thoughtful and informative collection of articles, mainly by artists connected with CIVA, covering a wide range of topics related to faith and art.
Card, Michael, Scribbling in the Sand: Christ and Creativity, (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 2002). This work explores the God-given gift of creativity. Biblical themes run throughout the book as he takes up questions around creativity.
Cunningham, David S., Reading is Believing: The Christian Faith through Literature and Film, (Grand Rapids MI: Brazos Press, 2002). The author looks to literature and film to illuminate current thinking on the basic beliefs of the church.
de Gruichy, John W., Christianity, Art and Transformation: Theological Aesthetics in the Struggle for Justice, (Cambridge University Press, 2001). A challenging, academic look at the links between art, justice and cultural transformation.
Dyrness, William A., The Earth is God's: A Theology of American Culture, (New York: Orbis Books, 1997). Explores key themes in a Christian approach to culture. An excellent, theologically informed resource for thinking about culture and the arts.
Dyrness, William A., Visual Faith: Art Theology and Worship in Dialogue, (Baker Books, 2001). Grounded in historical and biblical research, the author offers an intriguing, substantive look into the relationship between the church and the world of art.
Eusden, John Dykstra, and Westerhoff, III, John H., Sensing Beauty: Aesthetics, Human Spirit, and the Church, (Cleveland OH: United Church Press, 1998). This compact work explores the relationship of aesthetics to beauty, truth and goodness.
Elsheimer, Janice, The Creative Call, (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Waterbrook Press, 2001). For artists or for those with artistic talent that has never been developed, this book will help you grow closer to becoming the person God has designed you to be.
Forde, Nigel, Theatrecraft. Bromley, (UK: MARC Europe, 1986). Although primarily concerned with stagecraft, this book has a good chapter on “The Christian Artist,” plus other thought-provoking material scattered throughout.
Forde, Nigel, The Lantern and the Looking-Glass: Literature and Christian Belief, (London: SPCK, 1997). Though devoted to reflection on the literary arts, this insightful book is a valuable resource for all of the arts.
Gaebelein, Frank, The Christian, the Arts, and Truth, (Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1985). Essays, editorials, and lectures by a renowned educator, writer and musician take a thoughtful and scholarly look at the relationship between art and truth.
Guinness, Os, Fit Bodies, Fat Minds, (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1995). Os Guinness traces the retreat of Christianity that has rendered us ineffectual against the influences of popular culture and calls for the reinvigoration of the Christian mind.
Harbinson, Scott, Loydell, and Beerhorst, Artrageous, (Chicago, Illinois: Cornerstone Press, 1992). These lectures and essays by four Cornerstone Festival speakers deal with issues of artistic and spiritual importance to Christians involved in the arts.
Harbinson, Colin, The Arts & Cultural Restoration, (Brandon, Mississippi: LAMP, 1998). This compact, illustrated book examines God’s plan to restore creation back to His original intention and shows the significant role of the arts in the redemptive task.
Harries, Richard, Art and the Beauty of God: A Christian Understanding, (London: Mowbray, 1993). The author shows how a biblical faith can give a key place to beauty and argues for a Christian approach to art that is sensitive to the spiritual dimension.
Higgins, Gareth, How Movies Helped Save my Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films, (Lake Mary Fl: Relevant Books, 2003). Brings the bible and film into conversation, demonstrating how life’s big questions cannot be avoided.
Jensen, Robin M., The Substance of Things Seen: Art, Faith and the Christian Community, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004). Shows how the Church cannot ignore the arts and calls for renewed attention in contemporary faith communities.
Johnston, Robert K., Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue, (Grand Rapids MI: Baker Academic, 2000). A theological look at recent films. Provides helpful insights into “reading” film and discloses how it addresses moral and spiritual issues.
Johnston, Robert K., Useless Beauty: Ecclesiastes through the Lens of Contemporary Film, (Grand Rapids MI: Baker Academic, 2004). A creative conversation between book of Ecclesiastes and the voices heard in the postmodern world.
Jones, Mary et al, God’s People on the Move (Sydney, Australia: CDFA, 1988). This is a practical manual that covers the “why” and “how” of using movement and dance in the Church. It includes a short biblical and historical background.
L’Engle, Madeleine. Walking on Water, (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Waterbrook Press, 2001). This is a classic work that calls readers to put their imagination to work. The book is full of insight and encouragement for the Christian artist.
Newport, John P., Christianity and Contemporary Art Forms, (Waco, Texas: Word, Inc., 1971). This book is a guide to understanding and interpreting developments in literature, drama and painting.
Noland, Rory, The Heart of the Artist, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999). Written for artists by an artist, this book deals with issues that face everyone involved in an arts ministry.
Noll, Mark A., The Scandal of the Evangelic Mind, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1994). Knoll takes evangelicals to task for largely abandoning the universities, the arts, and other realms of “high” culture.
Ouspensky, Leonid, Vladimir, Lossky, The Meaning of Icons, (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1982). This fine and beautifully illustrated book offers history and context to the increasingly popular presence of icons.
Potok, Chaim, My Name is Asher Lev, (New York: Ballantine Books, 1972). This evocative novel and its sequel, The Gift of Asher Lev, traces the life of a gifted Hassidic artist and shows his struggle to come to terms with his art and his Jewish faith.
Romaine, James, Objects of Grace: Conversations on Creativity and Faith, (Square Halo Books, Baltimore, MD: 2002). This is a collection of conversations with some of today’s most intriguing artists, focusing on the intersection of Christianity and creativity.
Rookmaker, Hans, Art Needs no Justification, (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 1978). This Reformed perspective views art as integral to the creation order and a gift from God, to be celebrated and enjoyed as part of our humanity.
Rookmaaker, H.R., The Complete Works of Han Rookmaaker, Vols 1-6, edited by Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker, (Carlisle, UK: Piquant Books, 2002). A rich and thoughtful resource, these six volumes take the reader through Rookmaaker’s writings on the arts as critic and historian. There is a wealth of material on music and the visual arts.
Rookmaaker, H. R., The Creative Gift, (Westchester, Ill.: Cornerstone Books,
1981).
This well-known art historian argues that it is the Christian's responsibility
not so much to change the world as to keep it from decay and corruption.
Ryken, Leland, The Liberated Imagination, (Wheaton, Illinois: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1989). A manifesto for Christians in the arts that addresses the nature of art and what the bible says about creativity, beauty and the place of the imagination.
Ryken, Leland, The Christian Imagination: The Practice of Faith in Literature and Writing, (Waterbrook Press, 2002) Brings together in a single source the best that has been written on the relationship between literature and the Christian faith.
Sayers, Dorothy L., The Mind of the Maker, (New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1941, 1967, 1987). First published in 1942, this excellent work provides a careful introduction to the doctrine of creation and affirms the idea of God as artist.
Schaeffer, Francis A., Art and the Bible, (Downer’s Grove, Illinois: IVP, [L’Abri1973]). This classic little book on the arts looks at various art forms of the Old Testament and suggests ways in which a Christian view of art can take shape.
Scott, Steve, Like a House on Fire: Renewal of the Arts in a Postmodern Culture, (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2002). Draws from history, scripture and experience to explore the links between faith and the arts for the contemporary church.
Seerveld, Calvin, Rainbows for a Fallen World, (Toronto, Canada: Tuppence Press, 1980). Discusses aesthetics and the arts: "the biblical charter for artistic activity,” "obedient aesthetic life,” and "the fundamental importance of imaginativity in education.”
Seerveld, Calvin, A Christian Critique of Art and Literature, (Toronto, Tuppence Press, 1995). The book contains basic lectures explaining how a person can treat art and literature so as to be redeeming one's time.
Seerveld, Calvin, Bearing Fresh Olive Leaves, (Toronto, Canada: Tuppence Press, 2000). Alternative steps in understanding art. A key thinker and teacher of philosophical aesthetics encourages mature, bold Christian engagement with the arts.
Schroeder, Celeste Snowber, Pray with Hearts and Hands, (London: Harper Collins, 1995). An insightful book on praying not only with thoughts and words, but with the body, showing how movement can facilitate worship, prayer, celebration and healing.
Silberling, Murray, Dancing for Joy, A Biblical Approach to Praise and Worship, Baltimore, MD: Messianic Jewish Publishers, 1995). Covers biblical foundations, dance styles and philosophy that will help in starting or developing a dance ministry.
Spencer, William David, Aida Besancon Spenser, God Through the Looking Glass: Glimpses from the Arts, (Grand Rapids MI: Bridgepoint Books, Baker, 1998). The authors first define art and then build a biblical framework for evaluating a work of art.
Thistlethwaite, David, The Art of God, and the Religions of Art, (Carlisle, UK: Paternoster Press, 1998). Traces the progressive loss in the west of contact with, or faith in, a real created order, and discusses the manifestations of this loss in fine art.
Turner, Steve, Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts, (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 2001). Here is a compelling invitation to everyone in the creative community to be salt and light in the world of the arts.
Veith, Gene Edward, State of the Arts: From Bezalel to Mappelthorpe, (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1994). This book establishes a strong Christian context for understanding expressions of human creativity and powerfully defends the arts as a gift from God.
Walsh B. & Middleton R., The Transforming Vision, ((Downer’s Grove, Ill: IVP, 1984). A challenging book that gives a passionate call for Christianity to penetrate the structures of society to reform and remould our culture.
Wolterstorff, Nicholas, Art in Action, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1980). This introduction to the theory of art, while granting that galleries, theaters and concert halls serve a purpose, argues that art should also be a part of everyday life.
Yancey, Philip, ed., The Classics we’ve Read, the Difference they’ve Made, (New York: McCracken Press, 1993). This is a fascinating collection of essays by well-known authors that speak about the literature that has influenced them, and why.
Zahniser, A. H. Mathias, Symbol and Ceremony, (Monrovia, California: MARC, 1997). The author shows how rites, symbols and ceremonies in many cultures can be transformed, infused with a new spirit, and given Christian meaning.
Boorstin, Daniel, J., The Creators: A History of the Heroes of the Imagination, (New York: Vintage Books, Random House, 1992). This work details events and individuals who have imaginatively contributed to the shaping of cultures around the world.
Bosch, David, J., Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, (New York: Maryknoll, 1991). Thorough, theologically informed and academically inclined, this work highlights a wide spectrum of current issues in missions.
Brueggemann, Walter, The Prophetic Imagination, (Philadelphia Penn: Fortress Press, 1990). An insightful biblical scholar takes up the theme of the imagination, as it is manifest among the prophets of scripture.
Gardner, Howard, Frames of Mind, The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, (New York: Basic Books, 1985). Instead of affirming reason as the criterion for intelligence, Gardner points to such options as musical and emotional intelligence. This is a relatively new approach to human understanding with positive implications for the arts.
Kraft, Charles, H., Anthropology for Christian Witness, (New York: Orbiss Books, Maryknoll, 1999) A thorough, basic introduction to the study of anthropology, designed specifically for those who plan careers in mission or cross-cultural ministry.
MacGregor, Neil, with Erika Langmuir, Seeing Salvation: Images of Christ in Art, (New Haven CN: Yale University Press, 2000). A handsomely produced look into the history of art, with text that is an excellent resource for understanding the work depicted.
Middleton, J. Richard, Brian J. Walsh, The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview, (Downers Grove IL: IVP, 1984). These authors lead us through a careful account of how and why we are to shape a Christian worldview.
Middleton, J. Richard, Brian J. Walsh, Truth is Stranger than it Used to Be: Biblical Faith in a Postmodern Age, (Downers Grove IL: IVP,1995). Gives valuable perspective on several of the challenges that postmodernism poses to Christian belief.
Ryken, L., Wilhoit, James, C., Longman III, Tremper, Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, (Downers Grove IL: IVP, 1998). This is a contemporary reference work that explores the images, symbols, motifs, metaphors and literary patterns found in the bible.
ARTS - The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies, (New Brighton, MN: Union Theological Seminary). Designed to explore issues related to theology and art. www.ARTSmag.org
Creative Spirit: A Journal of the Arts and Faith, (Jackson, MS: Belhaven
College).
In-depth articles and features on dance, theatre, visual arts, music, photography,
poetry and mission informed by a biblical worldview. www.belhaven.edu/arts/publications.htm
Image: A Journal of the Arts and Religion, (3307 Third Ave. W. Seattle, WA 98119: Centre for Religious Humanism). Quality articles and reviews particularly on literature and visual arts from a Christian perspective. www.imagejournal.org
Inspire: A selection of dance writings (Journal of the International Christian Dance Fellowship, Sydney, Australia). Articles cover different aspects and ministries of dance and movement in a Christian context. www.icdf.com
Mars Hill Review, (P.O. Box 10506 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 – 0506) Essays on issues of theological importance, interviews with writers, teachers and artists, original fiction, nonfiction and poetry, and arts reviews. www.marshillforum.org
Begbie, Jeremy Theology through the Arts, (Vancouver, Canada: Regent College, 1996). These lectures given at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, explore the relationship between the arts and theology. His special interest is music.
Begbie, Jeremy The Sound of Hope, A two-video set including lectures and a performance by Jeremy Begbie, given in Ottawa, Canada, in March 2004. (18 Blackburn Ave. Ottawa, ON, Canada: Augustine College). www.augustinecollege.org
Harbinson, Colin, The Arts—A Biblical Framework, (Audio Series I). Develops a biblical framework for understanding the place of the arts in God’s world, and affirms human creativity as a dynamic expression of His image and His kingdom.
Harbinson, Colin, The Artist—A Spiritual Foundation, (Audio Series II). Illustrates the necessity of godly character in the life of the artist and principles that will motivate artists to build a strong spiritual foundation in their lives.
Harbinson, Colin, The Arts & Cultural Restoration, (Audio Series III). Shapes a vision of God's intention for all people to worship Him within their own cultural framework, and shows the role the arts in the ongoing task of cultural restoration
Web orders: colinharbinson.com/orders
Mail orders: LAMP, 263 Lighthouse Lane, Brandon, MS 39047
Email: lamp_inc@juno.com
Art and Christian Enquiry (ACE), (107 Crundale Avenue, London NW9 9PS, UK).
Studies and promotes the engagement of the visual art with church and theology.
www.acetrust.org
Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.), (116 Wilson Pike Circle, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649 USA). A missionary and ministry-sending agency for artistic missionaries. ACTNashville@ACTInternational.org
Arts Centre Group (AGC), (The Courtyard, 59 Portobello Rd. London W11 3DB UK). A national British association of Christians professionally involved in the world of the arts, media and entertainment. Bi-monthly magazine. www.artscentregroup.org.uk
Belhaven College, (1500 Peachtree Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202). A four-year Christian liberal arts college offering degrees in dance (ballet and modern), theatre, music, visual arts and creative writing. New professional facilities. www.belhaven.edu
The Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts, (Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, California 91182). Educates artists in theology and theologians in the arts. www.brehmcenter.com
Christian Artists' Networking Association (CANA), (9933 Business Park drive, Sacramento, CA 95827 USA). Publishes a regular newsletter and organizes regional, national and international conferences in Asia and Eastern Europe. www.canagroup.org
Christian Artists Europe, (P.O. Box 81065, 3009 GB, Rotterdam, Netherlands). Responsible for an annual pan–European conference for Christians in the arts, celebrating its 25th year in 2005. www.continentalart.org
Creative Arts Europe, (Rue Aux Loups 25, B-1380 Lasne, Belgium ). Network of artists & art lovers who aspire to train the church in a Christian worldview, and permeate European culture with art that offers hope and life. www.CreativeArtsEurope.com
Christians in Theatre Arts (CITA), (P.O. Box 26471, Greenville, SC 29616) Gives Christians a continent-wide support network of other believers who are working in all aspects of the theatre arts. www.actinternational.org
Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), (255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984) Networking organization for visual artists in North America, publishes a newsletter three times a year and holds a bi-annual conference. www.civa.org
Chrysalis Seed Trust, (The Arts Centre, P.O. Box 629 Christchurch 8015 New Zealand). Committed to support artists and their profession and to help resource the arts community from a Christian perspective. Quarterly newsletter. www.cst.org
Crescendo, (Postfach 219, CH-4003 Basel), An international network of classical musicians; encourages them in their professional life and faith. www.crescendo.org
Ethnic Worship & Arts Focus, Free monthly e-newsletter that focuses on multicultural artists and their indigenous styles. To subscribe: GCWAC@DiscipleTheNations.org
Greenbelt, (The Greenhouse, Hillmarton Road, London, N7 9JE, UK). An annual UK Christian arts festival with seminars and music. Tape catalogue. www.greenbelt.org.uk
Imago, (133 Southvale Dr., Toronto, Ontario, M4G 1G6, Canada). A national arts organization supporting Christians in the arts. Newsletter. www.imago-arts.on.ca
International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF), (PO Box 943 Lane Cove NSW 1595 AUSTRALIA). Networks Christians in the Creative Movement Arts around the world to impact the church and the world. Conferences and journal. www.icdf.com
International Festival of the Arts (IFA), (263, lighthouse Lane, Brandon, MS 39047, USA). Expresses a Christian worldview through large-scale cultural exchange festivals that have taken place in Russia, Bulgaria and China. www.colinharbinson.com
Project Dance, (520 Eighth Ave, Suite 330, New York, NY 10018). Dance Spirit Magazine named Project Dance Times Square as one of the top 10 dance events in New York City. Has also expanded nationally and internationally. www.projectdance.com
Regent University, School of Communication and the Arts. (1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23464). The department of theatre arts offers graduate studies with a vision to transform the world of theatre. www.regent.edu
Wesley Institute, (5 Mary Street, Drummoyne, NSW 1470, Sydney, Australia). Combines the teaching of arts and theology. Offers degrees and diplomas in dance, dance therapy, drama, graphic design and music. www.wesleymission.org.au
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