Imagine That: Discovering Your Unique Role as a Christian Artist
Why are we artists? How does God experience art? What is the artist’s calling in relation to God, the church, and the world?
Drawing from his experiences performing Mozart, playing “dive bars", and leading worship and the arts in the church, author Manuel Luz seeks to answer the questions that artists often ask. Laced with humorous and sometimes poignant anecdotes, Imagine That is a thought-provoking journey through the convergence of art and faith. Luz has been a working musician, writer, pastor, and even amateur cartoonist for more than 40 years, and in Imagine That he lays out his case for a uniquely Christian approach to the vocation of artist, using theologically rich and artist-friendly language.
In the end, Imagine That affirms and equips Christian artists for the special kind of ministry that only they can do.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: God the Artist
Made in His Image
Discovering the Passion
The Artist Incarnate
Learning to Live in the Mystery
Music Theory 101
Searching for Transcendence
Refrigerator Art
Summary and Discussion Questions
Chapter 2: Art and Faith
What Is Art?
Framing Our Art
Beauty and the Beat
Art and the Christ-Follower
Van Gogh, King David, and Me
Prodigal Art
Summary and Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: The Arts in Community
The Art of Community
Art and the Audience
A Call to Artistic Community
The Shadow in Our Hearts
Reflections of the False Self
Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Ministry Lessons Learned
The Greatest of These
Summary and Discussion Questions
Chapter 4: Art and the Spiritual Disciplines
How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?
Artistry as a Spiritual Discipline
In the Shadow of God
Meeting God in Our Art
The Transcendent Dialogue
Summary and Discussion Questions
Chapter 5: The Calling of the Artist
Defining the Artist
The Cross and Art
A Parable of the Possibility
The Truth about Spider-Man
The Artist and the Marketplace
The Call to Holiness
Summary and Discussion Questions
If you want to grow in your understanding of what it means to be an artist for Christ, if you want a working theology of the arts, or if you want to learn what God says about the arts (and artists), read this book! Manuel Luz speaks authoritatively from God's Word and convincingly from his many years of experience. Throughout the book, you will laugh at some of his personal anecdotes, be stirred by his ideas, and be motivated by his passion. But more importantly, you will be drawn closer to Christ.
-Rory Noland, author, director of Heart of the Artist Ministries
Manuel Luz has made a good and helpful contribution to the present-day conversation surrounding the arts and Christian faith. Discover for yourself the unique calling of those privileged to imagination for Jesus and His kingdom coming. You'll be enriched and inspired.
-Charlie Peacock, co-director, Art House America and author of New Way to Be Human
In this much needed work, Manuel Luz paints for us a theology of art that is as stimulating as it is biblical. Forged from the pen of an artist, this book provides fresh insights into how a postmodern generation can engage the God who creates and re-creates.
-Christian George, author of Sex, Sushi & Salvation and Godology
I always think of Manuel Luz as the rocket scientist who became a worship arts leader. This book is written out of the trenches of Manuel's discoveries as an artist, pastor, and worship leader who has devoted most of his adult life to serving the local church. I deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness of this book, and believe it will serve as a tremendous tool for any Christian artist looking for guidance from someone who has wrestled with the Scriptures, theological truth, and the practical everyday challenges of unleashing artistic gifts in the kingdom of God.
-Nancy Beach, Champion for the Arts, Willow Creek Association, and author of An Hour on Sunday: Creating Moments of Transformation and Wonder
Manuel Luz and I have recorded together, prayed together, cried together, and ministered together in America and beyond over the last twenty years. In Imagine That he has written what amounts to a theology of the Christian arts. I can't think of anyone more practically qualified to write about this subject; he has thought about it and he has lived it. If you're looking for your place as a Christian artist, you will surely find trustworthy pathway markers for your journey in this book. Imagine that!
-Bob Kilpatrick, songwriter/producer, author, and speaker
Product Details
- Title : Imagine That: Discovering Your Unique Role as a Christian Artist
- Author: Luz, Manuel
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2009
- ISBN: 9781575673486