Aesthetic Correspondence
In this series of essays, I have argued that Scripture presents God’s truth to us, not merely in didactic propositions, but also (in fact, mostly!)… Read More »Aesthetic Correspondence
Articles on Aesthetics
Translating the Aesthetic Forms of Scripture
In By the Waters of Babylon, I make a brief statement about how the aesthetic forms of Scripture should guide and regulate worship forms today. In… Read More »Translating the Aesthetic Forms of Scripture
Verbal, Plenary Inspiration and the Aesthetics of Scripture
A couple of friends asked for clarification and explanation of a claim I make in By the Waters of Babylon, in which I argue that the… Read More »Verbal, Plenary Inspiration and the Aesthetics of Scripture
Biblical Authority and the Aesthetics of Scripture
I’d like to take a few posts over the next several weeks to respond to one criticism of something I wrote, but did not develop,… Read More »Biblical Authority and the Aesthetics of Scripture
Why Tolkien Wrote About Middle-Earth
Some Evangelicals’ credo might be: “There is only one Tolkien, and Peter Jackson is his Prophet.” While there is no denying that the art of… Read More »Why Tolkien Wrote About Middle-Earth
Why Christians Should Care About Meaning in Art
Christians claim to be concerned with meaning. They debate over the meaning of texts of Scripture, and urge particular hermeneutics, so as to arrive at… Read More »Why Christians Should Care About Meaning in Art
Chestless Churches
What would ‘Churches Without Chests” look like? To use a strictly Lewisian definition, it would be groups of professing believers without ‘the spirited element’. In… Read More »Chestless Churches
Sweetly Destructive
Sentimentalism would not be high on pastors’ lists of threats to the church, were they to be polled for such a thing. False doctrine, lack… Read More »Sweetly Destructive
What Churches Take For Granted (But No Longer Should)
A first-grade teacher does not require, but typically expects the five and six-year-olds that arrive in class to be able to: * understand enough language… Read More »What Churches Take For Granted (But No Longer Should)
The Mortification of Spin’s Take on Secular Music (or, Calvin vs. the Calvinists)
Occasionally I listen to the Mortification of Spin (hereafter MOS) podcast. I find the episodes largely helpful and would happily recommend the podcast to others.… Read More »The Mortification of Spin’s Take on Secular Music (or, Calvin vs. the Calvinists)
Without Chests?
“Men Without Chests” is the curious title of a chapter in Lewis’ book The Abolition of Man. (You can read the chapter here). What does… Read More »Without Chests?
Is there any room for preference?
I have often argued (such as in Sound Worship) that it is the responsibility of Christians to change their tastes for beauty to match what is truly… Read More »Is there any room for preference?
The Green Book
Poor Alex and Martin. Misters King and Ketley had no idea that their forgettable English textbook would unleash one of the twentieth century’s most eloquent… Read More »The Green Book
How important is the style of music a church sings?
I read a post yesterday from a blog of a popular ministry that attempted to answer a question from a reader: “How important is the… Read More »How important is the style of music a church sings?
The beauty of truth
Pilate’s question to Jesus in John 18:30—“What is truth?”—is no less relevant today than it was then. In its most basic definition, something is true… Read More »The beauty of truth
The Power of Beauty to Educate the Emotions
Sanctification is a lifelong process for a believer. Although a Christian is freed from the power and penalty of sin, he still must deal with… Read More »The Power of Beauty to Educate the Emotions
Are Christians free to love however they please?
What is Christian love like? Where does it come from? Should we desire that our love be utterly spontaneous? Should we seek to love naturally?… Read More »Are Christians free to love however they please?
The Aesthetic Nature of Truth
Conservative evangelicals admirably repudiate emergent leaders who argue that both content and form must be contextualized; evangelicals insist that since God’s Word is inspired and… Read More »The Aesthetic Nature of Truth
Where The Differences Lie
Useful debate takes place when sparring parties understand their opponent’s position, and can represent it in terms the opponent would agree with. Apart from this… Read More »Where The Differences Lie
Until fairly recently, every educated person would have known this
There are many factors that have contributed to problems in worship today, but I believe one of the most significant is the fact that very… Read More »Until fairly recently, every educated person would have known this