|
 Exodus
31:1-11
or
35:30-36:2
As
a
painter
paints
a
portrait
of
someone,
just
by
looking
at
the
canvas
after
the
first
stroke,
the
subject
at
hand
is
unclear
to
the
viewer.
However,
as
the
painter
continues
it
begins
to
become
clearer
what
the
painter’s
subject
is,
but
is
still
unclear
or
hazy
to
the
eyes
of
the
viewer
until
it
is
finished.
In
the
eyes
of
the
painter,
the
subject
may
be
clear
to
them
even
from
the
first
stroke
but
he
must
continue
to
finish
his
painting
before
his
viewers
can
understand
the
subject
and
begin
to
grasp
the
reason,
or
purpose,
behind
the
painting.
In
the
same
way
God
has
worked
wonders
in
our
lives
and
we
must
display
His
works
as
a
painter
would
his
final
masterpiece.
We
do
this
through
our
gifts
and
talents
that
God
has given
us,
whatever
it
may
be
let’s
“Paint
the
Picture”
of
the
God
we
know.
Is
it
possible
to
be
a
Christian
and
an
artist?
Well,
an
artist
by
definition
is
“One,
such
as
a
painter
or
sculptor,
who
is
able
by
virtue
of
imagination
and
talent
to
create
works
of
aesthetic
value,
a
person
whose
work
shows
exceptional
creative
ability
or
skill.
One,
such
as
an
actor
or
a
singer,
one
who
performs
art.”
(Webster’s
Online
Dictionary
Paraphrased).
Is
it
against
Christian
Principles
to
have
imagination,
talent,
creativity,
and
or
skill
in
one
or
many
things?
Please
follow
me
to
Ex.
31:1-11
or
Ex.
35:30-36:2
for
the
answer
to
this
question.
It
states
“…
I
have
chosen
Bezalel
…
and
I
have
filled
him
with
the
Spirit
of
God,
with
skill,
ability,
and
knowledge
in
all
kinds
of
crafts
to
make
artistic
designs…
and
to
engage
in
all
kinds
of
craftsmanship…”(NIV).
We
see
that
God
gives
us
the
imagination,
talent,
creativity,
and
or
skill
to
“engage
in
all
kinds
of
craftsmanship.”
We
are
also
urged
to,
“Sing
joyfully
to
the
Lord,
you
righteous;
it
is
fitting
for
the
upright
to
praise
Him.
Praise
the
Lord
with
the
harp;
make
music
to
Him
on
the
10-stringed
lyre.
Sing
to
Him
a
new
song;
play
skillfully,
and
shout
for
joy.”(Psalm33:
1-3
NIV).
The
forms
of
art
that
are
shown
in
the
Bible
are
as
follows:
hand
made
crafts
(Ex.
30:1-11),
music
and
song
(Psalm
98),
and
dance
(Psalm
150:
4).
given
us,
whatever
it
may
be
let’s
“Paint
the
Picture”
of
the
God
we
know.
But
should
we
use
these
talents
for
God
or
not?
“So
whether
you
eat
or
drink
or
whatever
you
do,
do
it
all
for
the
glory
of
God.”(1
Cor.10:
31).
For
an
example
of
jubilant
music
that
was
used
to
praise
the
God
we
can
look
back
at
David
of
the
Old
Testament.
David,
a
writer
of
the
Psalms,
did
not
just
intend
for
his
Psalms
to
be
read,
instead,
they
were
meant
to
be
sung
joyfully
and
shouted
aloud.
Using
such
instruments
as
cymbals,
tambourines,
trumpets
and
more
suggest
that
the
all
the
music
played
in
the
temple
was
not
all
calm
and
soothing.
These
instruments
that
were
used
by
the
4,000
musicians
enlisted
in
the
temple
are
seen
as
rhythmic
and
rousing
rather
than
hymn-like
musical
instruments.
Every
generation
in
the
church
has
found
their
“New
Song”
to
help
them
“Paint
the
Picture”
of
God
in
ways
that
may
shock
church
elders.
Christian
Alternative
and
Rock
music
has
been
highly
controversial
because
of
it’s
hard
guitar
riffs
and
upbeat
drum
beats.
This
type
of
music
has
become
the
norm
in
Christian
circles
now.
The
Salvation
Army
was
a
church
group
that
was
a
catalyst
of
sorts
in
this
arena
despite
the
controversy
surrounding
it.
As
the
founder
of
the
Salvation
Army,
William
Booth,
posed
the
question
“Why
should
the
devil
have
all
the
best
tunes?”
Or
even
the
best
of
anything
for
that
matter?
In
conclusion,
God
gives
us
these
gifts
to
“engage
in
craftsmanship,”
“sing
jjoyfully,”
and
to
“play
skillfully”
all
in
order
to
“Paint
the
Picture”
and
praise
God
with.No
matter
if
it
is
through
paintings,
sculptures,
poems,
songs,
or
other
methods,
if
it
is
being
used
to
glorify
God
then
there
is
no
harm
in
it.
After
all
we
are
urged
to
“Paint
the
Picture”
of
God
and
to
“do
it
all
for
the
glory
of
God.”(1
Cor.10:
31)
by:
The
Prophecyer
|
