After so many posts challenging the status quo with regard to Christians producing high quality, culture shaping art, I felt it was time to do a little good ole’ fashioned exhorting.Â
Huh?
That’s encouraging to you, Junior. Â
But I want your list. What artists, producers, musicians, graphic designers, photographers, choreographers and writers do you see doing their best to produce art that glorifies God and affects culture?Â
I’m sitting here watching Facing The Giants for the first time. OK, sure, there are some scenes with some poor acting–I won’t deny that. And getting to know some of the characters is a little cliché. But I got down on my knees and wept after two of the scenes (and I’m not done yet! I just put my son to bed and took a break to write this). So I have to hand it them. Here’s a group of Christians trying to make a difference. And I commend them for it.Â
Yes, it didn’t outsell Nemo. Yes, no one won any Oscars.
But not yet.
I’ve realized we all are standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. We all are inspired and supported from behind, learning from our teachers, making better what was first made. So who will you recognize?
If you could, please take a second and post a comment or two with Christian artists or works, whether overtly “Christian” or simply made by a Christian. I’ll put them all together after this week and post it; but not only now, I’m going to keep a running tab. Anytime you want to add someone, let me know. I’ll do my best to revisit this and keep building the list in the hopes of doing two things: Showing where we’ve come from, and showing where we are now and the future it speaks of.
May the Lord get all the glory.
CHÂ Â Â
- – -Â
(OK, so I have a little soccer reference with that last pic…had to fit sports in their somehow!)
Musically: Well lately, quite honestly it’s been you… I’m REALLY impressed with Airborn… It’s so well timed and everything sounds great, audio quality and musical quality is both very good. We’ve been listening to that a lot while on the road.
This Phil Keaggy CD isn’t bad either. (Jammed!)
Psalm Drummers do an excellent job with music, as does their founder Terl Bryant. Eden’s Bridge does a good job. Moya Brennan does a pretty good job, I like her sister Enya better however, better voice in my own opinion.
And for something a little more unusual Red Nativity’s albums are perhaps among the most interesting Christmas CDs in my collection.
tobyMac does a pretty good job, I must admit truDog isn’t too bad eaither
. For hip-hop and rap however I have to give the nod to three groups, M.O.D (Ministri of Defense), The Cross Movement, and Redeemed Thought.
Movies: I nearly cried when I was watching Facing the Giants. Yeah, the production/acting etc. quality could have been better… But it was an excellent story of hope in the time of trial. I rather dislike football but the film moved me. I think the only thing that held me back from crying was that I was surrounded by other people at the time. (We watched it at church on the projection system during the “30 Hour Famine” youth group event this spring. I was doing the sound board for the 30 Hours. Whew. But it was fun and exhausting.) I never thought in my wildest dream I’d actually like a football movie.
I actually liked the Left Behind III movie. (World at War.) If nothing else, I think the President fellow totally rocks. The effects were noticeably computer generated and such. The acting for the most part could probably have been better. The story was ok. But I liked the President very much. (Not to mention I rather like Kirk Cameron’s strong Christian walk.) It was no Lord of the Rings, but it certainly was better then the first Left Behind movie.
I just purchased yours and Sir. Wayne’s books this evening… I look forward to reading them.
Tom Shadyac directed the Bruce/Evan Almighty movies – http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/fof_shadyac.html.
John Woo – http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/callingtheshots/john_woo.shtml
Denzel Washington – http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_denzel_washington.htm
Johnny Lang – http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/jonnylang-0906.html
just a few.
- mooney
This is a little belated, but being moved by your most recent post(about wanting comments) I thought I’d chime in anyway. I think this is a great question.
I have to admit there is very little Christian Art that really moves me. And so I’m afraid I am not terribly current, but trying to catch up.
Terry Taylor(of Daniel Amos, Swirling Eddies, and The Lost Dogs) probably had the most influence on me when I was a teenager/young adult. He could go from totally soul stirring(the album Fearful Symmetry) to totally wild(The Swirling Eddies). He taught me that I don’t have to fit in just one little niche.
The Innocence Mission. Their music is just simply beautiful. Their last few albums have been extremely spare musically, but so rich lyrically. They are one of the few bands whose music I would classify as Art.
For actual art(as in painting) I have an appreciation for the work of Janice VanCronkhite. Although her particular style is not necessarily my favorite(I’m more a pre-raphaelite kinda girl), I’ve watched her paint at several prophetic conferences and it was very cool to watch a painting emerge over the course of an intense worship service.
Akiane–she is a recognized child prodigy in painting and poetry. Again, not my style, but moving nonetheless.
Oops. I’ve been paged by a twin with a present in his pants. So there are my thoughts thus far. I’ll think about it some more though.