Christian Musicians Conquer the Countdown

Today I received some very exciting news while perusing my Facebook newsfeed. Go figure. I'm not used to the “news” articles I locate via Facebook being both relevant to my interests and decidedly uncharged by ignorant bigotry and contention. On this particular day, however, a certain link led me to the following introductory paragraph from an article found on none other than Time.com:

"Earlier this month TobyMac jumped to the top of the Billboard Top 200 chart with Eye On It, the first Christian album to reach the No. 1 spot since Bob Carlisle’s Adult Contemporary hit Butterfly Kisses 15 years ago. But TobyMac isn’t exactly AC. His blend of rock/pop/hip-hop—'schizophrenic pop' he jokes to TIME—is a new sound to reach such levels of success: an overtly Christian artist who sings, talks and raps about Jesus."

It appears that the 17^th of September was a banner day and an important triumph for Christian artists everywhere, particularly former DC-Talk vocalist, TobyMac. Never mind that Toby has been one of my personal favorite musicians, Christian or otherwise, ever since high school. He is an outspokenly Christian pop artist whose album is number one on Billboard's Top 200 chart! Billboard, people! As if that’s not enough, equally in-your-face Christian artist Lecrae is the current occupier of the number two slot. It’s all a bit overwhelming for CCM fans who have grown accustomed to the misrepresentation and sometimes total absence of faith-based media in pop culture, and it makes a powerful statement about what it takes to influence that culture.

I think these two progressive artists (and other believing performers on mainstream labels such as Switchfoot, Skillet, and others) are an excellent example to the Christian art and music communities. They are living proof that in order to "make it big" in the pop scene, you don't need to sell out when it comes to your message. You don't need to be afraid of explicit declarations of faith. You don’t need to water down your truth to appeal to the masses. You do, however, need to make good music. 

Now, there’s a shocker.

I will now leave you with a quote from my favorite Christian artist, Madeleine L'Engle who says, 

"Christian art? Art is art. Painting is painting. Music is music. A story is a story. If it's bad art, it's bad religion, no matter how pious the subject."

With that bit of wisdom, I'm off to celebrate the victory of my fellow brothers-in-arms in this battle to reclaim the arts for Christ.

Amazing Artistic Depictions of Christ Pt. 1

I already know that this post is about to be a source of controversy in Christian circles. I can hear the voices now:

"You LIKE this filth? How can you do anything other than loathe, despise, and damn these sacrilegious depictions of our Lord and Savior???"

I suppose that now would be the best to time to give the disclaimer that I do NOT appreciate these creative representations of Christ because I believe them to be perfectly accurate or somehow more accurate than others that are available. Let's face it. None of us know the details of the physical attributes or personality traits of Jesus Christ.

I do, however, appreciate these works of art because they all have something different to offer. They all interpret the character of Christ in different ways, placing different emphases on various aspects of his nature. Since it is impossible to "know" exactly what Jesus was like while he walked this earth, I believe that it is healthy to entertain the possibility of unique perspectives. True or not, likely or not, these artists' renderings of the character of Christ make me think and make me want to learn more about what this Savior means to me.

In Visual Art

"Christ Crucified"

This is a painting by an artist of Spain's Golden Age known as Diego Velasquez. It might not seem incredibly unique at first glance,but when one considers the historical context in which it was painted, it suddenly becomes something very special.

As a backlash of the Protestant Reformation at the end of the 16th century, the Catholic Church commissioned many famous artists to downplay the ideals of the emerging protestants--free will, faith, and the ability to take one's eternal destiny into one's own hands. Seemingly the best way to achieve this was to emphasize the divinity and power of Christ and the glory of His sacrifice, thereby downplaying the power of man to do anything effectual in light of what Christ has already done. This produced an influx of depictions of Christ triumphantly gazing and often reaching heavenward in the last moments of His life (such as in this painting by Rubens), making clear that supremacy over death and hell was His alone.

In this tense religious epoch, Velasquez takes a different approach. His Christ is not gazing upward dramatically. He does not reach out towards his heavenly home. He doesn't even struggle. This is a Christ defeated. He hangs his head, having given up the fight and given Himself over to death that His children might live. With this painting, Velasquez urges believers, "Look at what your Savior did for you. Look at the shame and defeat he brought upon himself. How could you ever hope to do anything to deserve this?"

"Jesus Laughing"

The concept of a laughing Jesus has been a source of controversy for years, so it is not entirely surprising that the majority of artists daring enough to attempt this subject matter desire anonymity. While the original "Jesus Laughing" by Ralph Kozak was brilliant in its own way, I have completely fallen in love with this anonymous pencil sketch.

The Jesus in this image is the Jesus the non-believing world needs to see. He is not judgmental, damning to hell those who refuse to follow Him. He is the Jesus who said "let the little children come unto Me," and who scolded those who would not humble themselves "like a child." More than this, He is the Jesus who loves and delights in His children so much so that he cannot keep from laughing out loud. I also love the simplicity of this sketch. No colors, just true-to-life pencil strokes placing a fully human Son of God among simple humans where he could not be happier.

"Die Harder"

Although I have not found myself caught up in the controversy, I'm sure there has been an outcry of protest in response to this sculpture by David Mach. I actually discovered this work of art at Southwark Cathedral in London where it was installed this year for the duration of Lent. In London, this work has probably encountered the artistically experimental and open-minded who laud its creative merit as well as the religiously conservative who find it scandalous to bring Jesus Christ into the medium of modern art.

One thing that is beyond debate is the fact that this work of art is an amazing feat, regardless of whom it depicts. This life-sized sculpture is crafted entirely out of metal coat hangers. Now that is talent.

Furthermore, as a firm Christian believer, I take no offense to this grisly re-imagination of my Savior. Mach says (I believe accurately) that Christians today have become numb to the suffering of Christ. The crown of thorns, the gashes on His back, the nails through His hands and feet--these are all cliche to us. I don't think it was too desperate of this artist to think that he needed to depict Jesus screaming in agony with barbs through His entire body in order for people to stop and remember the pain of this torturous sacrifice.

Three more inspiring and controversial depictions of Christ in art after the jump!