Art Quote by Francis A. Schaeffer
““What is the place of art in the Christian life? Is art- especially the fine arts- simply a way to bring worldliness in through the back door? What about sculpture or drama, music or painting? Do these have any place in the Christian life? Shouldn't a Christian focus his gaze steadily on "religious things" alone and forget about art and culture? As evangelical Christians, we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of human life we feel is more important. Despite our constant talk about the lordship of Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality. We have misunderstood the concept of the lordship of Christ over the whole man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives, and for our culture. The lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul, and redemption is for the whole man.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The God Who Is There, Francis A. Schaeffer, 1971
Christian life embraces all aspects of humanity, including art, because Christ’s lordship covers body and soul together.
In simple terms: Art belongs in Christian life as part of whole‑person redemption.
Key Takeaway
Integrate art and culture into faith practice.
Themes
faith
art
holistic redemption
culture
theology
Mood
reverent
inspiring
Type
theological
practical
When to use this quote
- church services
- Christian education
- creative ministries
- personal devotion
Key Concepts
integrated worship
cultural engagement
spiritual formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can art deepen spiritual insight?
- What boundaries keep art Christ?
A Different Perspective
Art can be misused for vanity or distraction if not grounded in Scripture.
