The Importance of Understanding Art when Engaging Non-believers

• David Fairchild
• May 7, 2006
• Series: Planting Resources

A Reflection Paper on the Thought of Dr. Francis Schaeffer

There is no better way to understand the basic world view of a period of history than studying its art forms. 

We read in the book of Acts that God has “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26).  This staggering truth changes everything since it reveals to us that our coming in and going out of this world, along with the place that we live our days, are all determined by God.  This gives our work, jobs, hobbies and relationships meaning since God has chosen our existence in this time as opposed to any other.  There is a sense of humbling purpose that comforts and emboldens Christians when they begin to see their lives in relation to God’s providential working out of His drama.  Yet within this drama, his choice of our “allotted periods” shows us that we are chosen actors and not merely stage props, and we are given a real part in this true story of history.  I say this because we often forget that it is God’s choice that we find ourselves existing in this particular period of time as ambassadors in our culture. 

I believe that Dr. Francis Schaeffer was right when he said that the best way to understand the basic world view of a period of history is by studying its art forms, and it is because of this observation that I write this paper.  My hopes are that we recognize our challenge in finding appropriate vehicles of communication directly connected to our interest, or lack thereof, in works of art produced by those who make up our culture. 

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