People, We Are Creative!
God the Father is creative. That is obvious to anybody with eyeballs. Look at the mountains, the rivers, the zillions of types of trees, the colors in nature that change with each season. Look at how many different face shapes, skin tones, eye colors, heights you see around you. Not to mention the differences in everybody’s fingerprints! Consider the way the sky is constantly changing, never having the exact same cloud shape from one day–or even minute–to the next.
We are image bearers. We have been blessed with many attributes that mimic those of our creator. We live in fellowship–we need others. We have reason and intellect. We have emotions. And we are creative. That is evidenced by the artwork, the technology, the architecture, even the fashions of the day that we see around us.
Christians have often been at the forefront of creativity. Look at the architecture–particularly the cathedrals, that came out of Europe during the height of the middle ages. Listen to the hymns written over the years. Heck, just listen to Handel, Bach, Beethoven!
And now take a look at modern day Christianity. There is some creativity still in evidence. But not much. Listen to Christian radio and notice how many songs have tunes or beats that sound strangely similar to those on your local pop station. Or notice how many songs are just re-writes of pop songs, with “Jesus” substituted in the lyrics for some other word. (Or listen to–gag–Christmas Shoes.)
So imagine my surprise (yeah, right) when my DH pointed out a flyer that came in our newspaper. It is from The Gospel Lighthouse, a Christian supply center. In it there’s a book called, “God, God, What do You See? I see a mother looking at Me.” Okay, everybody with small children has read and loved Eric Carle’s “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” book. It is fun, catchy, artistic, cute, and creative. So WHY do Christians think copying that book and spiritualizing it is a good thing? It isn’t original. It isn’t creative. It isn’t cute. It is embarrassing! Those who should have the corner of the market on creativity feel the need to copy, alter, and spiritualize the excellent secular work they see around them. Why not just create? Why copy? As Christians–adopted children of the heavenly Father–we should be the originators of beauty, art, poetry, music, literature! Not the imitators!
I suppose the reason we see so much mindless “Christian” stuff out there is that there is a market for this kind of thing. Marketers have learned that if they slap a Bible verse or a fish on anything, some people will come running and plop down their money! And American Christians have more money than ever to spend on trite symbols and cheap immitations of real art and literature. I think it is the “Walmartization” of Christianity….
January 5th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
You’ve struck a nerve here. To call this one of my pet peeves is to make light of what is a real concern.
When my older brother was still alive and well, he used to have to listen to my rant about how derivitative modern Christian music was for the most part. And he agreed fully. I had this half-baked idea about doing something different…a blend of ancient and truly new…and he was messing around with a very old German hymnal for inspiration, but he got too ill to do any actual creating and composing.
And then there is what a friend of mine calls the “Jesus Junque Stores”. ACK.
You definitely hit the nail on the head with this one. And with the Wal-Mart post.
January 5th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
A resounding AMEN!
January 5th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Well, at last, AMEN to something you have discovered—thru enlightment??? Does this mean an ennd to some ofr the so-called Christian Contemporary for you—I include in that music as well as contemporary religious services. What’s wrong with Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and all those old-fashioned musicians. My favorite entertainment in the evening is listening to semi-classical CD’s while reading–very little TV–it’s mostly junk!
January 6th, 2006 at 10:50 am
As someone who handles THOUSANDS of children’s books each year as part of my job, I read your blog entry with great interest. And, once again, I wish to voice a few comments (and, yes, I’m sure they will be quite lengthy) in response to a Chewymom blog. (1) Lack of originality exists in both secular AND faith-based books. You would not believe how many books I see in a year that trade on the popularity of other successful titles. There have to be at least 10 (and probably many more) books that are basically copies of the highly successful Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. And, after Harry Potter, can you imagine how many wizard books came out of the woodwork? And, have you ever looked at the fairy tale section in your library? Do you know how many variations there are Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Snow White to name just a few. There are Eastern European versions and Wild West versions and modern-day versions and even gay versions. (2) I think there are many Christian authors and illustrators who publish some very good books. But, readers may not know they are Christians because they don’t necessarily write about faith and/or because the author/illustrator blurbs on the dust jacket don’t usually mention religious/faith affiliations. (3) Pop culture (and culture in general) is filled with people feeding off the ideas of others. Remember when traditional country music meant the twangy sound of Johnny Cash or Merle Haggard? Now, country music—save for the lyrics—is often virtually indistinguishable from pop music. It seems to be the societal norm to imitate instead of originate. (4) Society tends to “reward” people who conform and fit in. How many people do you know who thought, “Wow! Those punk rockers are so creative!” When people rebel or do something cutting edge, other people often react in fear. They don’t like “different” and don’t want things to change. The status quo must be kept at all costs. Famous artists like Van Gogh went unrecognized in their own time and died penniless. Their genius wasn’t recognized until years later. Finally, there was the ultimate rebel—Jesus Christ. His ideas certainly weren’t popular in his day. (5) Publishers buy and market what is popular. Someone (Christian or not) may have a very creative, original idea, but if it isn’t deemed to be something that will reap a nice profit, chances are it won’t be published. And, if it does make it to press, it may be overshadowed by the “book of the day” and never attain the acclaim it deserves. (6) Having said that (#5) there is also a plethora (I LOVE that word, so I use it when I can) of absolutely, gosh-awful children’s literature (again both secular and faith-based). How it gets published I have no idea. Some of it comes from vanity presses (i.e., authors pay to publish their own works). Other times, I think the publishers, editors or whichever “powers-that-be” were either on drugs, completely oblivious to what constitutes a good book, out-of-touch with reality or desperate for something to publish when they ok’d some books I’ve seen. There are so many bad ones I can’t even begin to pick ones to name. Seriously, at least half of the books I deal with (and I’m sure that is an understatement) are just plain bad.
Anyway, at this point, I’m not sure what my point is anymore. I do believe that Christians have a unique relationship with the Creator, but I’m not certain that necessarily gives us the corner on creativity and originality. God created ALL people and gave us ALL various talents and abilities and just because someone doesn’t have a personal relationship with Christ doesn’t mean his/her gifts are any less unique than those of a Christian. These gifts are just used in a different way—as Christians we should be seeking to use our gifts to glorify God, even though that isn’t always the case. Maybe “spiritualizing” other works is the Wal-Martization of creativity, but I see it as a pervasive societal issue not just a Christian issue. So, I guess I’m just not overly offended or embarrassed by the “spiritualization” of a popular secular book. Obviously the new work isn’t original and may not be excellent literature, but, I just take it for what it is, another way to share God and/or good values with a child. And, don’t forget, you wrote that you change the lyrics of Brahm’s Lullaby to reflect situations in your home and life. (Just don’t try to sell them, okay?)
January 6th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Rutatita,
You SOOOO need to start blogging!!
And you’re right–Christians don’t have the corner of the market on imitation. But in my mind, Christians should have the ability to set the standard on creativity and originality, and we fall woefully short.
CM
P.S. I fully expect “The Bead” to become a famous song someday, sung by mothers everywhere! Or at least by mothers who have little girls who poke round things so far into their noses that they must be surgically removed! Hehehe!
January 6th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
I just like to reply to other people’s blogs (okay, “other people’s” being YOUR blog). I don’t want to have to be creative and think of my own topics!
And, PLEASE let me be the FIRST to order your recording of “The Bead” song. It’s already playing in my head. Finally, I agree that Christians do fall woefully short in the areas of creativity and originality and … the list goes on and on. Imperfect world, imperfect people.
Rutatita
P.S. Can you believe I kept this under 100 words?
January 7th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
You hit the nail on the head CM!
January 8th, 2006 at 10:06 am
Christmas Shoes brings gags at our house. Especially G. In fact, that song makes G mad. I agree with you. G just read a great book on worship that he is going to give the choir. Ya’ll will love it.
January 10th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
[...] ChewyMom laments the dearth of creativity in the Christian church that she perceives. I would tend to agree with some Ruatita’s comment on the post in question: even outside of the church most people are not creative, and will shamelessly copy truly creative people just to make a buck. But those who have the gift of creativity in a certain area should use it, and if one is a believer the gift should be used for the glory of God in His service. [...]