Death of a Culture

I've been reading an excellent, thought-provoking book by H.R. Rookmaaker called Modern Art and the Death of a Culture. It ties in nicely with the reality/mirage issues I've been thinking about.

Because art, like literature, reflects the culture in which it is created, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of both product and culture. Rookmaaker, a scholar, jazz critic, and friend of Francis Shaeffer, begins with a discussion of "The Message in the Medium," then traces the history of philosophy and art through the early 1970's. He finishes by clearly outlining the role of faith in the appreciation and creation of art.

If you've ever wondered, as I have, what happened to art after the 1600's or so, Rookmaaker's book is a must-read. I'm going back and re-reading his explanation of the role of the Enlightenment and the influence of Gnosticism and mysticism in the church's response to art-- it is absolutely clear.

This was the turning point I've wondered about for years-- the point at which a generally holistic view of the Christian life was exchanged for a view that created false partitions between what is spiritual and everything else. As Rookmaaker states, "faith is not just a matter of 'religion', of the soul, with its salvation in heaven, but a salvation of the whole person, a way of life and thought affecting all aspects of human life."

This is one truth that is essential to living a life that is focused on the things that matter. Once we understand that life itself-- the everyday routine as well as creation and the arts and sciences-- is a gift from God, we are free to do the thing that is most important for life in the here and now. Mothers may focus joyously on loving their husbands and their children; students may concentrate on their studies; and it can all be to the glory and praise of God.

There is much, much more in Modern Art and the Death of a Culture-- just read it!

Here are a couple more quotes:
From under the subheading "Painting is more than art alone:" "...in the course of Western European history painting has very often been much more than just decoration or something that people enjoy looking at...And this was not only because of its subject-matter, but more often than not simply because it made visible a particular view on life and the world, expressed deeply-felt values and truths, through the way the theme and the subject matter were handled" (Rookmaaker 18).

"Men and women... long for true and real reality, true, real life, the fullness of humanity-- and the freedom that should go with it. But they have lost it, and continue not to find it so long as they stick to the basic principles of the Enlightenment, of which the first and the last is that man wants to be autonomous, and does not want to acknowledge God..." (Rookmaaker 208).

And speaking of the death of a culture, be sure to check out the interesting blog post on The Public School Experiment at Gena Suarez's Home Where They Belong blog. Interesting!