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MarkNA
Registered: 01-2004
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The idea of Providence in a performance
I am learning to play classical guitar at the moment. The book that I am reading, written by a Christian, is on the whole excellent. It also contains a personal note by the author who wishes to give himself up in a performance and let the burden lay upon God and similarly to thank God for a good performance and see His Grace in it. I have trouble beleiving that the Creator could act in such a personal way. Is it right to see Providence in a performance or even in a film for example?
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7/11/2004, 10:54 am
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Chris Kelvin
Registered: 09-2003
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
An artist does not belong to himself and must not be proud of his talent. There is no reason to be proud. His talent is in fact not his (it is God who have it to him). One’s talent must be used to serve others. It’s an enormous responsibility. I am always amazed by people who are proud of their own talent. I simply don’t understand that. (Andrei Tarkovsky)
I completely agree with Tarkovsky here.
I also wondered sometimes if it is actually the creator himself who communicates through art and uses the artist as a mediator ? Maybe this thought is too far fetched ? But sometimes art, especially when the artist is giving himself completely to his intuition when he creates something, can touch the spirit in such a deep way that I sometimes truely believe that this can’t be made by man himself. It most be some Godlike force (or man’s spirit) that helps him to create art. I also believe that the artist himself must really feel the necessity to create : I think for an artist there’s no other way than to live for his art. It is something he has to do. I think a true artist is ready to give up everything just to keep on creating his art : it is his calling.
On the other hand I think God is not exclusively present in the art of an artist, but also in the actions of everyday people. I think it has a lot to do with how strong you believe in what you’re doing (even when others disagree with it).
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7/11/2004, 12:41 pm
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friendlessvoyage
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
I think that is the right track, Chris, and I also agree with Tarkovsky here.
As a Bible-believer, I know Godly works to be found in many forms, and only a minority of these are artistic, like in the realms of music, painting, literature, or film. The way I define it, an artist is a craftsman whose duty in life is to depict and communicate God's glory in the crude things which he sculpts. He must use, prayerfully and humbly, only his God-given blessing (that is, his talent or gift), rather than the instincts which come from his sinful nature. A Christian artist will know it to be his calling to do God's will in this way, but it is not a way to be glorified and exalted over the lives of "everyday" Christians, for they do equally righteous and just works, though only it is manifested in different areas of life, and typically in less vain a fashion; that is, they glorify Him without trying to document him, or engraven him, so that he is easily worshipped as an artifact by idolators (who call themselves critics, professors, fans or hobbists.)
Were the history of cinema, or the history of all arts, to disappear tomorrow through any means whatsoever, I would not weep, nor would I curse the Lord (or even man). My faith is everlasting, and it is by God's grace: this I praise God for above all else, and never again will I trade the lust of the eye for it.
Matthew
Last edited by friendlessvoyage, 7/12/2004, 3:50 am
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7/12/2004, 3:23 am
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MarkNA
Registered: 01-2004
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
I agree with the views expressed in both of the above posts. My dissagreement with the way I saw the attitude coming through in the book which I see also widespread, was that it involved passive surrendering to the Will, in the sense: Thy will be done - whatever happens, God's Will will be carried out - I need not worry since all things work together for the common good, but in terms of the opinions above I completely agree. Maybe it would have made more sense for me to post the quotation! Since it was long I didn't but maybe I will later.
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7/12/2004, 4:38 pm
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ecarner
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
As an atheist I find it trobling that the only people with whom I share similar views on art are christians. This is repeatedly the case whenever I search reviews of films on the net and find the only positives on Christian websites, whereas most critics dismiss them as pretentious. This despite the notable absense of a religious theme in those pictures I connect with. Maybe poetry and belief remain the sole preserve of belivers in the divine, whereas for most atheists materialism is the only reality left for consumption.
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7/17/2004, 12:44 pm
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Chris Kelvin
Registered: 09-2003
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
I'm no christian. I don't believe in religion. I don't believe in a religious God. But I do believe in the creator and his work. Just see how perfect it is.
Last edited by Chris Kelvin, 7/17/2004, 2:21 pm
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7/17/2004, 2:14 pm
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friendlessvoyage
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
What is troubling about it? You do not like being in the company of Christians? I did not like to be either, long ago.
The views of the Pearses seem to have a certain Gnostic flavor which I do not like, though in all honesty I'm ignorant of their influences. Reincarnation and karma, for two, though, have no basis in the holy Scriptures.
Matthew
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7/17/2004, 2:50 pm
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MatthewJ
Registered: 10-2003
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
You reap what you sow.
This is karma and this is mentioned in the Bible.
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7/18/2004, 10:58 pm
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friendlessvoyage
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
No, you are mistaken. Karma (and reincarnation, for that matter) is not mentioned in the Bible, and your citing of "You reap what you sow," as being the same thing shows your ignorance about what karma is about, which is a part of Buddhism Hinduism, Jainism, and other Eastern religions and philosophies, which are, of course, quite different from Christianity (and Judaism). Yes, I realize the popular parlance of the word has changed to mean something mindnumbingly vague and historically meaningless, but that is no excuse to continue thinking of it as such, once you know better.
Matthew
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7/19/2004, 12:36 am
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MatthewJ
Registered: 10-2003
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Re: The idea of Providence in a performance
What is karma then? Please give me the correct perspective or at least tell me where I can find it.
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7/19/2004, 12:42 am
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