To the Most Beautified Church: A Critique of Francis Schaeffer’s Art and the Bible A. K. Bobo College

In his book Art and the Bible, Francis A. Schaeffer discusses the topic of how Christians should interact with art, both religious and secular. He provides his readers with examples of art used throughout the Bible to establish his argument for the use of art in a Christian culture. Schaeffer then writes of eleven different perspectives from which one can view and interpret the different forms of art. Using claims based upon Biblical principles supporting the arts, and through his development of a few of the most important Christian perspectives on art, Schaeffer presents a well-developed and persuasive argument defending the arts through a Christian perspective.

Schaeffer begins his argument by establishing the point that because Christianity involves the entire person—body, mind, and soul—this includes the creative side of people. He writes, “Christianity is not just “dogmatically” true or “doctrinally” true. Rather, it is true to what is there, true in the whole area of the whole man in all of life” (Schaeffer 16). If art is a part of man, therefore, it should not be excluded from living a Christian life. Christians should use their artistic talents and gifts to bring praise and glory to God.

Schaeffer’s next argument can be...