4. Consider how you can help your local
school develop a robust arts program.
Unfortunately, funding issues prevent
many Christian schools from investing
in the wide-ranging creative capacity of
their students. This problem can be remedied when parents,
concerned individuals, and the Christian community as a
whole begin to see the value of artistic education. Sponsor
a contest. Hold a fundraiser. Provide public opportunities
for creative expression. Encourage high standards. Mentor a
young artist. I’m sure you can think of more ideas to foster
creativity in your school!
As I close this article, I want to challenge you to think what
it would mean for culture if high-caliber artists possessing
a Christian worldview became the norm. Consider how
you feel when enveloped in the beauty of God’s creation.
Perhaps you’ve walked on the ocean’s edge or stood in the
forest, high on a majestic mountain. God’s creation fills us
with joy and wonder, doesn’t it? It enriches and ennobles us.
And although man’s work will never rival God’s work, we
can emulate Him. We are made in His image. We have the
culture-changing power to erase the ugliness of destructive,
sinful art. If we invest in the creative capacity of our young
people, we can fill the world with beauty and goodness.
Michael Medved, the American journalist and political
commentator, said, “Savvy observers occasionally note
television’s resemblance to the weather: Everybody loves to
complain about it, but nobody can fix it.” 3 Fortunately, while
some might say the same for all types of creative endeavors,
we know that Medved and those who concur with him are
wrong—by God’s grace, we can do something about it. The
only question is, “Will we?”
Sharene Duncombe possesses passion for creative work and
she wants to inspire the Kingdom of God to value, develop, and
enjoy their God-given imaginations. In addition to partying with
her three young children and her theology-loving husband, she
enjoys both creative writing and her graduate work in English at
Radford University.
FOOTNOTES
1. Schaeffer, Francis A. “Art and the Bible.” A Christian View of the Bible as Truth.
Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1982. Print.
2. Crouch, Andy. Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling. Downer’s
Grove: IVP Books, 2008. Print.
3. “Michael Medved Quotes.” Brainy Quote. Web. 4 January 2014.
Vision
To see culture transformed by giving millions
of children a Christian worldview education.
Mission
Renewanation serves to promote the cause of
Christian worldview education by supporting
and expanding Christian schools, homeschools,
and ministries reaching students in
non-Christian schools.
Next
Steps
1. Influence the parents and pastors of 10,000
children to enroll their children in Christian
worldview education programs
2. Provide scholarships for 1,000 students
3. Help start 50 new Christian education
ministries
4. Revitalize 50 Christian schools
Visit renewanation.org
to learn more.
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