Modern art: the image of chance

Francis Schaeffer, as you may have learned from past posts (or maybe you have read some of his books yourself) was one smart dude. He takes such a detailed, in-depth look at the changes that took place in society in his book "How should we then live", and here is yet another point that I think is so true about art, and how it has been modernized by atheistic thinking;

"The question is: Is this art really art? Is it not rather a bare philosophic, intellectual statement, separated from the fullness of who people are and the fullness of what the universe is? The more it tends to be only an intellectual statement, rather than a work of art, the more it becomes anti-art. "

Many people today look at abstract or modern art as simply another form for one to express himself. But what, exactly, is one trying to express or convey through squiggly lines of multi-colored paint, or distorted, naked figures? Mr. Schaeffer points out that as we entered the 19th century on through the 20th century, Christian thinking and values gave way to the depressing and empty theology that life exists by chance, and there is no reason to the events that take place.

The old yet precise paintings of centuries ago of scenes in the bible, doubtless, portrayed a much different outlook on life as opposed to the modern day pictures of broken people; naked, depressed or dying. These pictures accurately display the broken and confused minds of those who do not believe in reason or a higher power.

"All of this gives us today an almost monolithic consensus, an almost unified voice shouting at us a fragmented concept of the universe and of life. And as it comes at us from every side and with many voices, it is difficult not to be infiltrated by it. We and our children now get this message from every side- from art, music, general culture, modern theology, the mass media, and often even comic books."

Even though, sadly, true art- depicting life, reason, and rationality- has died away in our culture today, we must make an effort not to conform to it… or be satisfied with the standards set in our society today. Let’s struggle to bring back to America true art: art that portrays God as the reason for living, and man as God’s valuable tool.


God has given us all wonderful talents to glorify Him with. Let’s use those gifts to the best of our ability; let’s bring God back into art!