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Christian Novelists and the “Moral Artist Principle”
Apologist Randall Rouser recently posted a couple articles that touched on an important concept for Christian novelists. Rouser was rebutting some critics’ rejection of the Bible on the grounds that...
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“I Don’t Read Mormons!”
That was pretty much the response I got from one Facebook friend when I asked about reading Brandon Sanderson. I’m regularly hearing good things about Sanderson’s novels, but his catalog is so vast I...
View ArticleDo “Christian” Artists Get Unfairly Reviewed?
I am biased towards Christian artists. Especially those working in the secular marketplace. I want them to succeed. Which is one reason I’ve been following Scott Derrickson’s career with interest....
View ArticleWhen Bad People Make Good Art
“We’re all like the moon,” quipped Twain. “We each have a dark side.” Despite our luminescence, even the most acclaimed among us has a barren backside. Perhaps this is why public moonings have replaced...
View ArticleFinding Truth in “Pagan” Art
Film critic Jeffrey Overstreet, in his book Through a Screen Darkly, talks about the backlash he received from concerned parents after his favorable review of the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of...
View ArticleCan We Be “Good” While Reading & Writing About “Evil”?
Yesterday popular Christian writer Tim Challies made A Plea for Innocence: I want to be good at good. In fact, I want to be an expert in good. At least, I do when I’m at my best. But in moments of...
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The Grotesque and Horrific in Religious Art
Many Christians object to the horror genre on religious grounds. Horror is incompatible with faith, hope, and love, they say. Why focus on hell, the devilish, and the unredeemed when the Bible tells us...
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Why the Closing of The Museum of Biblical Art Should Concern Christian Artists
The Museum of Biblical Art recently announced that it would be closing. MoBA’s mission was to examine Western art through the lens of the Bible and its influence in Christian and Jewish tradition. Many...
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“Showing” vs. “Telling”— Should Christian Novelists Not SHOW Evil?
David with the head of Goliath, by Caravaggio I’ve encountered many Christians who argue that certain depictions of evil, violence, sex, or the occult should not be fleshed out in fiction. So while...
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Is “Playing it Safe” Killing Christian Fiction?
This morning, I read with interest an article entitled Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry? over at The Week. I’m usually pretty skeptical of such pieces. The Christian music biz is an...
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The Problem with Spiritual Rating Systems
I was intrigued enough by the intention of David Bergsland’s A Spiritual System for Rating Books that I purchased the book. Frankly, it delivers on its promise. The question I’m left with, however, is...
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The Redemptive Power of Dark & Disturbing Art
Jesus told stories that did not always have a positive or uplifting outcome. Oftentimes, there was ambiguity in their resolve. Sometimes there were images of horror and dread. For example, The Parable...
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