Culture's Crushes: Christian artists at Moody | The Moody Standard

by Alyssa Kiefer features layout editor

While Moody has had a reputation in the past for being on the cutting edge of media technology first with Moody Radio, today Moody?s approach to creative media is a bit different. Though Moody has places for artists to glorify God with their calling, there is definitely room for improvement when it comes to how students and the Institute as a whole treat those of us not going into traditional ministry fields. The impression many communications students at Moody have is that they are looked down upon for their choice of major and, sometimes, for not knowing exactly what they will do with it.

I am one of those communications majors.

God has given me a passion for visual and verbal communication. I see beauty in creation, whether in nature, people, buildings, photography or graphic design. I have chosen graphic design as my main communications medium because I like to organize elements in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. Through this, I express my deep passion for clear and honest communication.

Though I don?t know whether I will be working directly with a Christian organization or if I will be shining the light of Christ in the secular job market, wherever I end up I will use my visual and verbal skills to communicate truth and hopefully increase communication between people. It is very important that those whom you are sharing your message with understand what you are saying, not only by your words but also by how you present them. While I do not consider myself a writer, I do consider myself an artist. There are certain impressions that are communicated through art that cannot be expressed as well in words. This means that there is an entire artistic community out there that is not really being reached if we do not create good art that communicates something of the nature of God or of? redemption in the Gospel.

With this in mind, why should Christian artists be thought of as less Christian or less mission-minded? Art can reach more than just sophisticated artists. It can reach people who speak unknown languages and even the ordinary person who sees something in a new light. Beauty, truth and goodness have a way of reaching into the heart and reflecting God?s character. Creativity is one way of showing a part of who God is and that we are made in his image. I am sure that the communications majors here know this, but I want the rest of the community to know as well. We should not limit the means that God, the Giver of all good gifts, can use to touch the world and speak his grace to it. Human beings have the incredible gift of imagination, and it should not be wasted or hidden by sticking to more formulaic ways of thinking.

We should allow our unique qualities as humans to show aspects of God?s nature by creating and communicating in a manner that only we can. Each person has been given a specific role in God?s plan and a particular perspective that no other human being can share precisely. This gives me the opportunity to showcase God?s glory in the way that I live and proclaim truth, whether through spending one-on-one time with people, writing encouraging or challenging letters, singing songs where the lyrics matter or intentionally organizing written and visual material to clarify its purpose and message.

Source: http://www.moodystandard.com/christian-artists-at-moody/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=christian-artists-at-moody

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