As Christ's incarnation provides the earthly basis for artistic pursuit, says Leland Ryken in the introduction to The Liberated Imagination, so Christ's ascension is the basis for the transcendent element in art. Christians live simultaneously in two worlds—the physical and the spiritual—and our own dealings with art should reflect both realities.
An English professor at Wheaton for half a century (and the literary stylist for the ESV Bible), Ryken is well-suited to discuss art, and the proper Christian engagement of literature, painting, sculpture, etc. The Liberated Imagination begins with a close look at artistic forms and content, the Biblical attitude toward art, creativity and beauty, and the imagination.
Chapter five begins to deal directly with questions many Christians ask: Isn't all art appreciation relative? Does a work of art really say anything? How do we interpret art objectively? What is Christian art? Ryken's answers are measured and thorough; he argues that art appreciation and interpretation are objective (or can be), and that art does indeed speak.
Answers to these questions are clear, but they aren't "easy." Engaging and making art requires discipline, effort, focus, and caution. "Recent Trends in the Arts" is a discussion about the modern isolation of the artist, the untruth of nihilism, and other pertinent concerns. The conclusion is a plea for Christians to engage the arts solemnly, carefully, and joyfully.
The most shocking thing Ryken says is that Christians need art. The arts engage our intellect, explore the meaning of life, interpret the world from new perspectives, and help us understand our own attitudes better. But the arts also refresh us, and The Liberated Imagination is an excellent guide for Christians who want to enjoy, shape, and be shaped by them.
Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews
here.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Introduction
- The Nature and Purpose of the Arts
- What the Bible Says about the Arts
- Creativity, Beauty, and Recreation
- The world of the Imagination
- Art and Truth
- Perspective and Interpretation in the Arts
- What Is Christian Art?
- Recent Trends in the Arts
Conclusion: Christian Readers, Viewers, and Listeners
Did you find this review helpful?