Imagine

Turner, Steve. Imagine. InterVarsity Press, 2001. 

In Imagine, Steve Turner lends a no-nonsense voice to the conversation of whether or not Christians belong in the world of the arts. Speaking from his own experiences as a Christian in the world of Rock-n-Roll (as a journalist, not a musician), Turner has a sort of brashness and no-nonsense tone that I found fitting for an old rocker as well as distinct from so many of the other voices speaking about faith and art. 

Imagine begins with Turner explaining why Christians have been so uncomfortable with the arts throughout our history: citing things like the use of Icons which can quickly become idolatry, the feeling that works of fiction are “lies” or that actors have to “lie” in order to perform a play. He talks about the  issue of art being “leisure,” addressing the Puritan argument that leisure activities are intrinsically evil because they distract us from God. Not only does he offer compelling counter arguments for each of these issues, he also addresses what he believes to be the real problem, the separation of the “spiritual” from the “physical” - which is Platonic philosophy that was readily adopted by the church and is still evident in a lot of christian teaching today. Turner rejects Platonic theology outright and argues that Christians are meant to live integrated lives, where there is no separation of the spiritual and the secular, and where God is present in every activity and moment, including leisure. He sees “bad Christian art” as essentially unintegrated art, because it is really just propaganda that tries to convince non-believers that they ought to be believers. He argues instead that when we create art based on the integrated life, we are able to connect with people who do not yet know God. As an example Turner compares CCM music with the rock music that he wrote about: CCM is the only genre that is based on the lyrics and not on the musical style - which means it is the only genre in which the lyrics drive the melody and not the other way around. This creates music that the non-Christian world finds difficult to respect, because it isn’t good. Not only that, but because the non-believer has no common understanding with a lot of what CCM talks about they are alienated from it. What this means is that the intent of CCM, which is to “reach the lost” is mostly ineffectual. He also points out that “saving souls” is the work of the Holy Spirit, not the artist. Turner argues that a Christain artist will have a far greater impact if they create good art out of common experience, which would be his definition of  integrated art. 

So what makes the Christian art different if it is not overtly religious? Turner’s answer to this question is “the renewed mind.” An understanding of the creation, fall and redemption narrative gives the believer greater access to the power of “Myth,” and he points out that the believer should have a better understanding of good and evil which would allow them to represent both in a more powerful way. 

He concludes with what he believes to be the most important and impactful thing that the Christian artist can do: “just be there.” We are far more powerful witnesses through our lives than through our art. If we are present in a “secular” arts community, making quality art while living a dynamic Christian life, we will be living out our callings as artists and believers and reaching the lost in much more impactful ways.