In her book Source, art historian Janine Bourke says that many of the world’s most celebrated artists developed their greatest work when they retreated to nature. Monet painted his Waterlily series after moving to his garden-home at Giverny. Picasso was most creative when based at Cỏte d’Azur in France. Jackson Pollock’s abstract paintings were inspired by Long Island landscapes. The sea became a theme for Ernest Hemingway after he moved to then unpopulated Key West in Florida.
Bourke also notes that many of these artists were animists or pantheists. Overwhelmed by the beauty of their locales, they believed that the earth was sacred and worthy of worship.
Artists aren’t the only ones to look at creation and see something divine. “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities— His eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20). The sky reveals the glory and creativity of God (Psalm 19:1-2). Nature itself speaks of it (Psalm 19:3-4).
The Christian vision of the world, however, goes a significant step beyond the pantheist’s. Creation is not God but points to a Creator who is even more amazing.
An ancient Hebrew poet captured this idea extremely well. After a breathtaking survey of the earth’s beauties, he says, “O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all” (Psalm 104:24). Another poet called on these same valleys, streams, lions, and trees—exhorting them to bow and worship the Creator (Psalm 148:1-14).
The greatest artwork can only reveal a fraction of an artist’s genius. This world is the same. Why bow to the artwork of earth when the Artist behind it is so much greater?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 20:1-18
More:
Read Psalm 148 and notice how much of the world is called on to praise the great Artist. Nothing is missed, which says something significant.
Next:
How is the biblical vision of God bigger than the pantheistic view that says the world itself is divine? If you’re an artist, how can your work point to the greatest Artist?
roxanne robbins on September 28, 2011 at 3:43 am
Sheridan, Your spotlight on God as Creator prompted me to think of what Different Drummer Founder and Principal Erik Lokkesmoe posted on Facebook recently.
Erik wrote, ““Here’s something I am trying with my kids: collecting unfinished art work that shows the creative process, not the finished product. The handwritten notes that led to a new song. The pencil sketch of a painting. And recently a personalized drawing of Scar from The Lion King by the original artist. I want my kids to see imperfection, imagination, and inspiration — not always the framed, matted and perfected outcome.”
If God’s creation is already so magnificent imagine what our eyes will behold when we see all that He has in store for us!
sheridan voysey on September 28, 2011 at 5:15 am
Hey, I love this exercise Erik’s doing. Reminds me that God’s handiwork is still seen in the incomplete. Yes, what a sight we shall see one day!
bobby7 on September 28, 2011 at 12:03 pm
our God is an awesome God. it teaches us to trust in Him; His truth should be our shield and buckler. because if God takes care of the sky (beautifying it every second), stars and all things- He will surely take care of us.
daisymarygoldr on September 28, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Very well said Sheridan Voysey! God is the greatest Artist—the Creator of all. Hilary of Poitiers wrote: “Surely the author of all created beauty must Himself be the beauty in all beauty.” When we see the beauty of creation it leads us to worship the beauty of the Creator.
The Pantheistic perception of Earth as divine is a view that people in many cultures have held throughout the centuries—even by Christian mystics. In “The Spiritual Canticle”, John of the Cross refers to God- the Bridegroom as “My beloved the mountains …”
The Psalmist got it right as he says, “I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (Ps 121:1-2) As Christians we need to be really careful. The artwork of earth inspires worship but should not receive worship.
sheridan voysey on September 29, 2011 at 3:56 am
I love that quote from Hilary of Poitiers. I quoted something similar in one of my books, from Evelyn Underhill: . “When we are awed by the intolerable majesty of the Himalaya, we are merely receiving through symbols adapted to our size, intimations of the Absolute beauty…” – the ‘Absolute Beauty’ being God.
Oh, to see the world with God-touched eyes!
winn collier on September 29, 2011 at 10:14 am
Goethe said, “Great and beautiful is the world.” And it points us to a God, great and beautiful. Good words.