This Pilgrim's Progress

Christian Aesthetics

Well, one interesting thing I found out about the topic: You get the hits you want if you spell it with the leading "a" (i.e. aesthetics) rather than just "esthetics". Googling "esthetics" you get all these sites for beauty treatments, cosmetics, spa's etc. --- I guess the "beauty" industry is calling itself the "esthetics" industry these days!! I call it "gilding the lily", which only works of course if your lily is new and pretty...faded, dried-up lilies don't look any better covered with gold!!

Anyways I'm finding some interesting stuff on "aesthetics". The Trinity Foundation had a rather long paper on the topic by Gordon Clark ( Download 067b-ChristianAesthetics.pdf ), that was somewhat interesting and a little pompous. I don't agree with his assertion of music being lowest in the hierarchy of  the arts, unless we are going from the concrete to the abstract. Music is often paired with words as poetry, prose,  saga, etc.,  due to it's ability to accent and bring out the emotions and senses that are being communicated through language. None of the "arts" touch so much of our core as music does, affecting the heart, mind, and spirit.

Another statement of Clark's that I viscerally disagree with is:   "In any case, a work of art need not be beautiful. The ugly can also be artistic." He states this in context of discussing how difficult it is to define beauty. My opinion is that if it doesn't strike one as "beautiful" in some sense, then it isn't art...regardless how "artistic" it may be. There's a whole landfill of "art" that can be described as "artistic", but is not beautiful by anyone's definition!! Usually it's funded by the government, or passed off by some Marxist who's trying to make a statement about some sort of "class warfare". 

I don't think we necessarily need to define beauty, but I think we need to keep beauty in mind when discussing Christian aesthetics. One thing that stands out when we look at God's creation, it that it is "very good" or "beautiful".  I would think we could define "bad" art as that which fails to have intrinsic beauty.  Ugliness happens pretty easily and doesn't require any talent or effort to produce. Man since the Fall seems to have some propensities towards sin or ugliness. When we are focused on God, we seem more capable of righteousness and of creating beauty.  I don't think Christians necessarily have a lock on this, by the way. I think the "general revelation" that is in every human being is able to inspire him towards beauty, and some people have a talent for this in spite of their lack of faith.

^"And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." Genesis 1:31

Christian Aesthetics

I've been trying to define in my own mind what constitutes the esthetic standards for a Christian.  Partly because I'm trying to teach my own chidren to be discerning when it comes to "The Arts", but also to re-examine my own life and walk in this area.

We usually don't think of music and art in terms of our theology, or at least I don't always, but I feel somehow that I should be. We are assailed constantly in our culture with images and music that is less than edifying, but yet holds our attention and captures the moment from us.

Instinctively we all seem to have developed tastes in certain kinds of art, music, architecture, and even styles in clothes and furniture. How do these tastes develop, and how are they molded by our world-view and belief system, if indeed they are?

I've been googling for info on esthetics, and it's amazing what isn't out there!! If anyone has some suggestions for sources on this topic, please leave me a comment with your recommendations. I've been searching for some succinct and clear writing on the subject, but all I've found seems somewhat "deep" and requiring a large investment of time. Maybe I will need to make that investment eventually, but I am hoping to find something that will help me form up the questions I have in a more complete form.

At this time of year we get a huge dose of the "dark-side" with all of the Holloween nonsense. It seems our culture increasingly gravitates towards evil. We are indeed a "culture of death" rivaling only the Aztecs and Mayans in our gore. This may not exactly be an esthetics issue, but I'm beginning to see it more and more as such.

Perhaps whatever rules our heart's and mind's  is also what forms and informs our esthetic sense?

Culture Wars

Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, or maybe the wrong half century!! Things I hate about modern pop-culture:

- Tattoos!! It's amazing that people would mutilate themselves with these hideous things.

- Body Piercings!!! - even more gross!!

- Metal music.  Not so much for the style, which I don't care for either, but rather more for the content which seems to tend toward the very dark and evil side of life.  Is "Death-Metal" a redundant term?? Most metal seems to glorify death,  sort of like our culture does.

My main principle for life-style is  "does it glorify the Lord, does it respect the temple that are bodies are for the Holy Spirit? also -- Would it cause my witness as a Christian to suffer, or my example as a father to suffer, or my relationship with my spouse to suffer?? "  I try to live my life as an open book. I'm not always successful, but I usually go to bed at night with a clear conscience.

I have my own sins that I struggle with. The overt sexuality in our media is one. You'll be watching some mystery or comedy on TV and suddenly you are watching a scene that would have been considered porn 20 years ago (and sometimes not even "soft" porn). I'm attracted to that, as most men are, but I'm trying to be more conscious of it and turn to something else or turn it off when we are being assaulted with un-wanted titillation and sensuality. It's important for men to guard against what the eye is attracted to, we can be so easily seduced from the righteous path.   

I won't even mention the Internet, where it's even more insidious, except to say -- Men, invest in good blocking software, and then forget the password once you set it to block porn and violence!! Have your wives set the password if need be.  The content filter we have is a good one, and I highly recommend it -- BSafe Online -- it's a good product and seems to work well with few problems ( http://www.bsafehome.com ). It also has  antivirus, anti-spam and popup blocking features too.

I do find that the more in-tune with Christ I am, the easier it is to fight against the culture's influence in your life.  I've been trying to be more deliberate about my spiritual life -- Christian walk -- lately. I'm striving to make spiritual disciplines more a part of my life than they have been. It's been heartening to see almost immediate affects too from that effort, Praise the Lord. Christ really is the only path to the Light of righteousness. We are ill-equipped to fight the Deceiver apart from Christ's strength.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Neighbors and Dogs

We received a form-letter from the city yesterday that informed us that someone had filed a complaint against us about our dog barking. Of course, we know which neighbor complained, because we had a heated confrontation with them a few years ago with our Springer Spaniel (who's now busy chasing cats in heaven!! Do I believe pets go to heaven...that's a topic for a different post).

Cookie would get separation anxiety and sometimes bark because she thought we were around and ignoring her. The poor thing had become deaf and somewhat very near-sighted in the last half of her life. We finally bought her a no-bark collar which worked well when we remembered to put it on her. The confrontation occurred when I was rebuilding our back fence, and had just a plastic safety net across. So we put her a long yard leash one Saturday while we were at an all-day swim meet with our kids.  When we returned home, the poor dog had wrapped herself up around the picnic table and was sort of pinned to the ground by the leash. Our neighbors came over almost immediately to complain. I explained the circumstances, but they were having none of it.  Obviously this was a sore point with them and no amount of apology or reasonableness was going to placate them.

Well now we have a 6 month old Lab. But, HE DOESN'T BARK, ever!! We do have another Lab on the other side of us, and a Schnauzer across the street,  and a Terrier two houses down that are always barking. But they rarely do it continuously.  So, why the complaint?? Because in their mind they think they are being grievously infringed upon by the occasional noise.  And we happen to be a convenient target because we live next to them.

So what's the Christian response to a neighbor like that?? The scripture says we are to love our neighbors, but does that mean even when there's no way to make amends?? Our neighbor just simply doesn't like dogs, and they resent us for having one. So, how do we soften their hearts an reach out to them?? We could pray for them, and we have in the past. But it's hard to keep that up with no seeming affect. But perhaps that's the discipline that the Lord wants us to learn??

And the neighbors with the small yippy dogs that are causing all the noise?? Well, I don't feel like I want to make it an issue, but maybe we'll mention to them the fact that a complaint has been made against us.  One can't predict their reaction, but maybe they will be more thoughtful if they know that someone in the neighborhood is super-sensitive to dogs barking??

"Be Still, My Soul"

Sunday during worship we sang "Be Still, My Soul" (Trinity Hymnal) as a response to the pastor's sermon. It was sung to the tune of Sibelius' "Finlandia", which made for a very powerful and moving hymn. The "Cyber-hymnal"  (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/bestill.htm) has a short history of the hymn. It is based on Psalm 46:10.  The sermon was on 2Corinthians 1:1-11, and the main thrust was how troubles and tribulations are used by God in a Christian's life to conform him to the image of Christ. It's a very comforting thought for those who believe in God's soveriegnty, but for those that don't it is probably very disconcerting!! The sermon was especially relevant given the recent events in the news. The hymn really helps us see how in trouble and travail, God is always there for us as his children through Jesus Christ our savior.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

I started to tear-up while singing this as I thought back on the past 6 months. I was feeling pretty low at times due to the pneumonia, but in it all the Lord was still blessing me with a wonderful family. My daughter and son have grown and matured in ways that I simply didn't expect, and I'm delighted in them and for them.  And my wonderful wife is always there for me with her love and support. My extended family (in-laws, and church-family) has also been a special blessing in their expressions of love and support.

Pope John Paul II

Being a protestant, and a calvinist, the office of Pope does not hold any special cachet to me. But as a man and a man of God, John Paul II was a great man and a tireless servant of peace and freedom and the gospel. His personal story is an incredible witness and he has been used by God in incredible ways. We are poorer for his loss, but heaven is richer for his arrival home.

Terri Schiavo

R.C. Sproul offers a special message on the death of Terri Schiavo. Look for it on the Ligonier Ministries web site. We are indeed engaged in a great spiritual war in our culture. The "culture of death" seems to be prevailing, but we must trust in God's sovereignty and in his perfect nature and not lose hope. We should instead let our emotions, our outrage, our frustration, be motivation to continue to strive to change our society and be a witness of the Gospel to our neighbors.
I was somewhat taken aback by finding out that many of my co-workers agreed with the "pull-the-feeding-tube" decision. I shouldn't have been, but I was. Some of it was due to mis-information and word-games like R.C. Sproul mentioned, but again most of it is due to the inroads that the "culture of death" has made into the psyche of our nation.
If nothing else, be galvanized to pray for our nation and for our neighbors, and for the witness of the Church.

New Pastor

Last night our church had a special congregational meeting to vote on a call to our Assistant Pastor to become our Senior Pastor when our current one retires.  The outcome was positive with the vote 89% in favor of the call. Brian Tallman will become our Senior Pastor when Pastor Miladin retires in July. Our family is much encouraged by this. Brian is a wonderful preacher and teacher with a solid theological and faith base. He's a young man, but has maturity and confidence, and a vision for evangelism. I feel he'll appeal to younger Christians and their families and he relates well to all people across generations.

We were kind of holding our breath on this one. Since we weren't sure what the search committee would come up with as candidates, and we didn't want to lose Brian either. Our church just changed denominations from OPC to PCA, and we lost a number of families due to that change. Hopefully people will see Brian's call as a positive move and give him a chance to prove himself and grow in this ministry.

I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders after the vote, and our family is extremely optimistic now about the future of our little church. We really had not felt ministered to as a family by the senior pastor over the last few years, yet we loved the people of the congregation and had many good friends there.  Now we feel that the church has a man of high caliber, and with energy and vision to minister and lead us forward in Christ's work in the future.

To God belongs the Glory,  Praise his Name!!

John Donne ... worthy poet, gentle saint

I've noticed that while I've been enduring this  "sinus infection from hell" that my thoughts have been somewhat contemplative.  Reading John Donne's poetry has helped me to put this small, petty suffering of mine into a larger perspective.

Here's a new favorite of mine from his Holy Sonnets:

    This is my play's last scene; here heavens appoint
    My pilgrimage's last mile; and my race,
    Idly, yet quickly run, hath this last pace,
    My span's last inch, my minute's latest point;
    And gluttonous death will instantly unjoint
    My body and my soul, and I shall sleep a space;
    But my'ever-waking part shall see that face
    Whose fear already shakes my every joint.
    Then, as my soul to'heaven, her first seat, takes flight,
    And earth-born body in the earth shall dwell,
    So fall my sins, that all may have their right,
    To where they'are bred, and would press me, to hell.
    Impute me righteous, thus purg'd of evil,
    For thus I leave the world, the flesh, the devil.

And here's another favorite from Donne's Holy Sonnets:

Thou hast made me, and shall Thy work decay?
Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste;
I run to death, and death meets me as fast,
And all my pleasures are like yesterday.
I dare not move my dim eyes any way,
Despair behind, and death before doth cast
Such terror, and my feeble flesh doth waste
By sin in it, which it towards hell doth weigh.
Only Thou art above, and when towards Thee
By Thy leave I can look, I rise again;
But our old subtle foe so tempteth me
That not one hour myself I can sustain.
Thy grace may wing me to prevent his art,
And Thou like adamanto draw mine iron heart.

John Bunyan

I recently changed the subtitle of this blog to a quotation from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress", the work this blog is named after. I will change these quotes from time to time. The old subtitle was tongue-in-cheek, because there is no conspiracy and there are no members, charter or otherwise.

Anyways, I decided that I needed something that was little more thought and conscience provoking, hence the quote from Johin Bunyan.

"Pilgrim's Progress" is an allegory written by the great Puritan itinerent preacher, John Bunyan, while imprisoned for 12 years for preaching without a license. A true "best-seller" this work has only been eclipsed by the Bible itself in it's widespread circulation and readership over the years. A great resourse for his works and life is the Christian Classics Ethereal Library It also has links to other online resources. This allegory is a must read for any Christian or anybody interested in Biblical Truth.