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Art Quote by Francis A. Schaeffer

“We are not being true to the artist as a man if we consider his work "junk", simply because we differ with his outlook on life. Instead, if the artist's technical excellence is high, he is to be praised for this even if we differ with his worldview... Yet where his work shows his worldview, it…” quote by Francis A. Schaeffer
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““We are not being true to the artist as a man if we consider his work "junk", simply because we differ with his outlook on life. Instead, if the artist's technical excellence is high, he is to be praised for this even if we differ with his worldview... Yet where his work shows his worldview, it must be judged by its relationship to the Christian worldview. If we stand as Christians before a man's canvas and recognize that he is a great artist in technical excellence, we have been fair with him as a man. Then we can say that his worldview is wrong. We can judge his views on the same basis as we judge anybody else- philosopher, common man, laborer, business man, or whatever. God's Word binds the great man and the small, the scientist and the simple, the king and the artist. We should realize that if something untrue or immoral is stated in great art, it can be far more devastating than if it is expressed in poor art. The greater the artistic expression, the more important it is to consciously bring it and it's worldview under the judgment of Christ and the Bible. The common reaction among many however, is just the opposite. Ordinarily, many seem to feel that the greater the art, the less we ought to be critical of its worldview. This we must reverse.””

Francis A. Schaeffer

About This Quote

Source Book: The God Who Is There, Francis A. Schaeffer, 1978

Art should be judged on technical skill and moral worldview, not dismissed for differing opinions; excellence does not excuse harmful ideas.

In simple terms: Judge art by skill and moral impact.

Key Takeaway

Separate skill from worldview; assess both.

Themes

art ethics Christianity criticism

Mood

thoughtful critical reflective

Type

philosophical theological

When to use this quote

  • church teaching
  • art criticism
  • education
  • media analysis

Key Concepts

aesthetic evaluation theology moral philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we balance appreciation of skill with moral critique?
  • When should artistic merit be overridden by ethical concerns?
A Different Perspective

Technical excellence can mask harmful messages; requires careful discernment.

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