Recently there has been a lot of discussion on the problem of Christian art today. Namely, that problem is that most of it is “bad.” But what makes art bad or good, and why are we having this discussion anyway. Part of the problem may be that one of two things is over-emphasized, either the form or the content, the medium or the message. Some art may have a powerful and inspirational message to it, but the art itself is subpar. On the other hand, the art may be superb, but it’s message may be lacking or negative. How does the Christian artist respond to this problem? In this series, you will hear opinions from several artists within the Salvage Yard Community, ranging from visual to performance artists, writers and musicians. Enjoy!

Is thiis art?



What is “good art?” To answer this I believe you have to define what is good and what success is. Immediately, you will find that Jesus has a much different view of these than the world.

Our God created the Universe; shouldn’t our art be the best? But what is “the best?” Is it ego driven or based on obedi-ence? In the OT you find many examples of the best art bringing glory to God, like the ark or the temple. But in Gods eyes, obe-dience is what made the art good whether grandiose or hum-ble. World religions expect a standard of greatness to reflect God, not a manger or a cross. We are different, and must al-ways be willing to humble our selves to see Jesus get the Glory.

Art is fueled by what lives inside a person: depression, fear, bit-terness, sin, or lies. Francis Schaffer said that Christian art re-flects hope while non-Christian art reflects despair. So for a Christian Artist; hope, and the other fruits of the Spirit, should be presented. Most Non –Christians don’t relate to this and therefore might not see the art as “good.

”Should Christian Art have an intentional message, or does that compromise the art? Considering that good art is always saying something, and in Minneapolis normally that includes anything from woman’s rights, war protest, global warming, eastern reli-gion, or anti-family values, to not say something about the Truth could be in fact aiming to please the world instead of God.

Does it seem that Christians are always hopping on bandwagons and creating nothing original? The secular world does the same thing! Remaining in our circles is naturally comfortable and ven-turing out can be difficult or humiliating, but if we don’t our ideas will become inbred. Let’s not create a second-class world to secular art, but let’s be missionaries in the world, not of it, and create art to the best of our ability in worship and service to our Lord, sharing in his concern and compassion for the lost.

As I’m writing this article, I am writing and illustrating a chil-dren’s book about the Trinity. Don’t expect it to be on the shelves of Lifeway Christian Resources yet, it’s for a project in my theology class at Bethel. I have written children’s books before, as well as plays, but I have been out of the creative writing scene for a long time. Only recently have I been compelled to start writing again. So, I figured that I could through in my tuppence into this discussion.

For me, creative writing is about world-creating. At the moment the pen is put to the paper, or the finger-pads to the keyboard, a world of ideas is born. What that world is depends on many things. For what end is the world that we create? Is it for good or evil? For God or for self?

I am encouraged and inspired by the diversity of the biblical writ-ings; the authors employed so many different writing styles and genres to get their message across. Through their messages and they way they write, the authors of the Bible invite us into a world far different from our own. In entering this world, we are invited into the potential for personal and spiritual transformation.

So, where does this leave the Christian writer? On the one hand, the Christian writer is the same as any writer (both write…) so I don’t like to draw a line between Christian and secular art. On the other hand, I do believe that the Christian writer ought to ex-ercise her or his gift and passion in light of their faith.

How does this look? In this sense, creative writing can be an activi-ty of prayer in the sense that it can be a co-creation with God. In any creative writing, the Christian can invite God into the world-creating process, and through that the Christian writer can be in-spired by the very truth and love that leads her or him to a life of following and loving God.

Levi Michael Nies passed away Sept. 5, 2011 at home in Grass Valley, CA in the presence of his family. He was 27.

Levi was loved by his family and many friends, all of whom are asked to join a celebration of his life at the Bonny Doon Homestead (2618 16th Avenue South, Minneapolis MN) on October 15th from 4pm until it ends.

He is survived by his parents, Paul and Donna Nies; sister, Jessica; brother, Samuel; sister-in-law, Mary; niece and nephews, Campbell, Mason, Henry and Wilder; grandma, Glenda Dunham; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Levi grew up in Grass Valley, Calif. He graduated from Nevada Union in 2002 and attended Simpson University and the Steiger International School of Discipleship. Levi was a passionate musician and artist. Levi was a sculptor, a muralist, a sketch artist, and a painter. He loved traveling, poetry, and cycling.

Levi lived in and loved many in Minneapolis, Minnesota for several years. Levi returned to Grass Valley in 2008 to live with family while he received treatment for cancer (Desmoplastic Small Round Blue Cell Tumor).

Levi loved freely and lived fully. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends in California, Minnesota, and around the world.