RECOMMENDED READING |
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It Was Good-Making Art to the Glory of God
This book
brings forth many struggling topics and themes that Christian artists are challenged with. These essays are writing by some of the most important Christian artists today (i.e. Makoto Fujimura, Theodore Prescott, and Edward Knippers.) The book discusses issues looking at our fallen world with a realistic point of view. It teaches to face evil head on and to point towards the grace, the hope, and the glory, namely Jesus Christ. As God's children it explains our need for art in the church and in our communities. It also depicts the problems of Christian art, with topics such as GOOD, ("The efforts of most artists who attempt to present a picture of 'good' tend toward dishonest, sugary sweet propaganda. They ignore the implications of the fall and paint the world as a shiny, happy place." -Ned Bustard, "Good"), EVIL, and IDENTITY. It is hard being both Christian and artist. It seems no one understands you in the art world and no one understands you in the Christian world. This book praises our gifts of creativity and imaginations, in which we learn to integrate both our faith and art, and return these gifts to praise Our Father. "It Was Good..." should be essential to your book collection. I once had a discussion with a friend of how we can meditate on a single passage for hours. These essays have been so inspirational that I have spent some nights restless, because I could not wait until the next day to work on my own art. It is such a blessing to know, in this generation (so full of narcissistic and meaningless art,) that this book is out there to help other Christian artists. I personally feel doubly blessed because I am still an undergraduate in art school. I feel a great comfort to apply and develop these ideas into my own critiques. But this book goes way beyond the ordinary art school critique and grows toward my relationship with God and towards his people. |
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At the Crossroads: An Insider's Look at The Past, Present, and Future of Contemporary Christian Music
Charlie Peacock, a Dove Award-winning, Grammy-nominated musician with two decades of industry experience, tackles a debate that has been raging within the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) community in recent years. Having served as songwriter/recording artist ("Coram Deo," "Everything That's on My Mind"), producer (Margaret Becker, Cheri Keaggy) and eloquent spokesman on Christianity and the arts, Peacock applies these multiple perspectives to his examination of what is now a multimillion-dollar business--and the focus of criticism from those who feel ministry is being neglected or ignored in favor of commercial success. After reviewing the conditions that gave rise to CCM more than 30 years ago and introducing the major issues (the role of music in ministry, lyrical content, general market appeal), Peacock attempts to show that limited and particularized visions of the Christian life have contributed to the industry's failures. As a solution, he proposes a "comprehensive kingdom perspective" that is informed by Scripture and evolves from an artist's commitment to primary (discipleship) and secondary (artistic) callings. Those familiar with Peacock's music will not be surprised by his challenging honesty balanced by a respectful tone. The situation he describes is a true crossroads--one in which artists, record companies and retailers need to make decisions affecting the future direction of CCM--and Peacock's penetrating analysis will provide readers with a firm foundation from which to proceed. |
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Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts
Steve Turner has shed some refreshing light on an age-old controversial subject. Should a Christian's art be obviously Christian or is there room to fudge a bit? These and many other types of questions are answered by Turner. Perhaps the greatest insight he shares in the book is that a Christian artist is also a human being. The art created by this person is affected by all things in their environment. To create only art that reflects an inflexible spiritual message is ludicrous. If the artist is touched by the power of God, the artist paints it. If the artist is hurt by a lover's rejection, the artist writes a song about it. If the artist likes french toast, the artist writes a short story about it. Christian themed or not, it's art and it's justified. Let the fundamental, backward thinking, Super Christians beware. Steve Turner is a champion for the cause of Christians in the arts. |
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The Micah Mandate: Balancing the Christian Life
"He has shown you oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). In this remarkable verse, the prophet summarized in shorthand fashion the very essence of the Gospel. And in this remarkable book, George Grant enunciates the prophet's clarion call for a life of Biblical balance for a whole new generation. This is the book he calls his "manifesto," his "credo," and his "life message." Here is theology made practical, discipleship made substantive, and ministry made compassionate.
Without such God-provided guidance as the basis for the balance and sanity necessary for a well-rounded Christian life, the efforts of Christians to redeem society are doomed to failure. Apart from God, human nature always destroys what it seeks to accomplish. Thus the message of the prophet Micah is a powerful instruction for all who would forge a bond between the inner principles of faith and the outward action of mercy and compassion. |
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Everyday Apocalypse: The Sacred Revealed in Radiohead, The Simpsons, and Other Pop Culture Icons
The term apocalypse usually evokes images of mass destruction. Our attempts to interpret the apocalyptic language and imagery of the Book of Revelation often take us far afield from our day-to-day existence.
David Dark challenges this removed definition of apocalypse, calling his readers back to the root of the word, which is "revelation." Dark calls us to imagine apocalypse as a more "watchful way of being" in the world. Focusing on the epiphanic quality of apocalyptic insight, Dark draws on the wisdom of popular culture-including The Simpsons, Beck, and Coen brothers' films-to expose the "moral bankruptcy of our imaginations." Ultimately, Dark leads us toward the apocalypse as an affirming yet honest estimation of ourselves and a call to other-centeredness in the here and now. This engaging book holds enormous appeal for readers interested in the pursuit of everyday spirituality and will delight literary and film critics, as well as anyone seriously interested in popular culture |
RECOMMENDED RECORDING SITES |
Recording on a Mac?
Perhaps you should be...
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www.macmusic.org |
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www.macjams.com |
RECOMMENDED RECORDING HARDWARE |
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