For: The Institute Of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Red Online Worship History Course with Dan Wilt.
Week 4 on Essentials Red
As stated by Dan in the week four’s video, “art and music are an aesthetic bridge, opening windows to our soul”. Human beings are creative beings. We are wired to be moved by expressions around us.
In the Old Testament, intricate tapestries & the Ark of the Covenant were examples of early artistic expression.
In Turkey there are still beautiful crucifixes & mosaics dating back to these early times. Roman art expression inspired three dimensional sculpture and architecture while two dimensional art became more popular in the middle ages. Celtic Christianity had its’ own brand of unique art. The Reformation inspired art in cathedrals & architecture. Sadly The Reformation also brought about the destruction of much three dimensional art.
Dan Wilt…“The prime function of liturgical art is to bring us to the awareness of the presence of the Holy.”
With that in mind… as aspiring worship artisans, we need to humbly come before God and ask for clear lenses. We are called to not just write pretty music but to also write strong music to wake the dead and to expose the darkness. We have an incredible opportunity to impact this generation! Let us not be limited by our own worship experiences to date. Instead I choose to include new worship expressions like dance, painting and sculpture, much like is seen in the David Ruis video here.
Claiming our place in Christ and Turning the other Cheek!
Recently at church the pastor has been calling us to think about our journey of spirituality. He was sensing a hesitation of many people to step forward in faith in the name of Christ! I think there needs to be a balance between claiming it and naming it and recognising that we are all on a journey of spirituality and we would like to be closer to God someday.
However…. I think that there may be a danger in today’s society with all the recovery courses available, we may fear standing up and claiming our rightful place in Christ, in evangelism, in spiritual gifts and in church leadership. Please don’t get me wrong, these recovery courses are fantastic, I have been on a couple of them and they are great! Yesterday at work (a few christians meet regularly at work each week to challenge and pray with each other!), we watched a video on Luke. Jesus calls us to turn the other cheek in Luke 6:27-31. For me I have been challenged to think that if I was secure enough in my faith with Christ (and willing to lay down my life for him), that I would never think about getting defensive or even hurt.
Tags: Christianity, course, Dan Wilt, emerging, essentials, institute, leader, online, ssu, study, theology, training, university, Worship
Wow…that last line…killer. You hit it. I’ve been pondering that very thing. When I respond to something in a judgemental or defensive fashion, it’s a huge red flag for not resting in God’s perfect love. The way you said it really hit that truth all the way home for me. I’m going after that deep knowing that allows me to walk unoffended, always able to turn the other cheek.
By: Heather on March 19, 2009
at 12:50 pm