I remember a question raised by my friend: Science has often been viewed with contention with regards to leading young Christians away from the faith, but couldn’t the Arts do that just as well?
Having been heavily exposed to European classics for piano since the age of 3, I was quite taken aback by the hypothesis she put forth. The Arts is such a broadly defined subject matter – its traces can be found just about anywhere around us. If it had the potential to lead one’s heart away from God, how dangerous would that be?
Artists are often the centre of attention because of their works, be it positive or negative publicity. In either situation, the spotlight is on them. In the former case, it need not simply be the ability and skill with which they showcase themselves, but also an attractive appearance or personality, even a philosophy which thrills and excites their public.
I myself have had my fair share of teenage years in which I explored the pop scene with my peers. However, I always maintained an admiration for Argentinian-Swiss pianist Martha Argerich, whose performances I have listened to since 2001.
As I grew older, I had begun to explore and revisit the European composers of my childhood, such as Bach and Beethoven, and other more modern contemporaries including Rachmaninoff, Debussy and Ravel.
It was always breathtaking to dive into the spiritual aspects of music, often through discussions over background and interpretation with my music teacher. In particular, I was intrigued by Modern Music, which is music between the late 19th to 20th century, especially that which had elements of the Orient.
It wasn’t long before we began to dabble with the spiritual elements of music and the transcendental wisdom it could convey concerning the ancient cultures and histories of the past, including the composer’s character and life story.
However, it eventually dawned on me that I may not have understood the gravity of the situation I was potentially getting myself into. For all the talent that artists possess and the atmosphere they’re able to generate, do people become so enamoured with the beauty of art that it becomes a thing of worship?
There is nothing wrong with gold until it becomes a golden calf.
As Christians, we must understand that a work of art is merely a sensory means of expression. It is a tool through which we communicate meaning to others. It must be approached with the correct standard of discernment and contemplation, such that it does not become a snare to our hearts and minds, clouding our understanding of its essence and purpose in living in Christ.
More importantly, concerning artists, we ourselves are unconsciously shaped by the actors, musicians or designers we emulate or whose works we patronise. Therefore, before we subscribe to allowing such celebrities and their beliefs to carve part of our identity, should we not weigh them against Scripture and God Himself?
It is all too easy to be swept away by the allure of the world, ultimately neglecting the true source of life, Jesus Christ.
I therefore caution people to be on their guard and be active discerners rather than passive consumers of any form of art, and ask themselves whom it is are glorifying and pleasing through their actions. Upon reading the passage of Exodus 32 concerning the Golden Calf, we observe that gold earrings and ornaments – items of worth and usefulness – had been transformed by human hands into a blasphemous image.
There is nothing wrong with gold until it becomes a golden calf.
Likewise, the purpose of art in any form of sensory communication – visual, aural, gustatory – is ultimately to glorify God and the works of His Son Jesus Christ. Any attempts to divert and distort this purpose is akin to stealing from God, not giving the praise and adoration which is due to Him.
On a personal front, I have now stopped listening to pop music, due to a difference I find in many artistes’ lifestyles and beliefs – which is usually reflected in the contents of their lyrics.
Even my musical role model, Martha Argerich – who is known for a complicated personal life and capricious temperament (including backstage tantrums and frequent last-minute no-shows at concerts) – I also realise is merely human and not to be seen as more than that.
All of us are part of a fallen Creation, with no effort of our own making sufficient to save ourselves and our world. This makes it all the more imperative for us to lovingly seek and pursue our Lord, whose miraculous sacrifice on the Cross has paid the ultimate penalty for our transgressions, far surpassing any vain philosophy Man can conjure.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
