Is it true that some Protestants denominations have hostility towards life and even Art?

[Marcel_Prix]

Hello everyone,

I don't want to cause controversy. I have an interest in studying different religions, cultures and peoples.

I recently discovered while having a discussion with some religious friends that some Protestant denominations see art as a "distraction from" God.

Moreover, I heard in the novel, "The Pilgrim's Passage" that the main character sees other people as a distraction towards his path to God.

It seems that some Religions(Catholics) might be included: See the world as given to us by God and wanting to be celebrated.

Some Protestant denominations(you guys might know which one's better): See the world as "damned" and "depraved." In general, have a much more "bleaker view" of the world.

I don't want to "pigeon hole" any one nor their believes. Rather I wanted to hear from you guys as to what did you think. This are words and ideas that have come up from discussions hence, I wanted to expand on them more.

 

[DragonFox91]

I’m sure there’s a few individuals who would say that, but no I’ve never heard of this being taught wide in Protestant denominations. The Sunday School I attend did a study on art from a Christian perspective this past spring. So maybe there is indeed an attack on art? Otherwise they wouldn’t have been motivated to do the study? I think the teacher just had an appreciation of art.


Yeah, a lot of Protestant denominations see the world as corrupt & full of sin, but we see beauty from God in it too. We see life as a gift & good things are blessings from God. Blessings can be corrupted on an individual basis, but that doesn't mean the blessing / gift is inherently evil.

 

[Tolworth John]

have an interest in studying different religions, cultures and peoples.

Yet your post is about what some people say and I have heard.

What sort of study uses hearsay as evidence?

Please go to original Al sources, read that book and make notes, as well as find out about the authors beliefs.

 

[disciple Clint]

Hello everyone,

I don't want to cause controversy. I have an interest in studying different religions, cultures and peoples.

I recently discovered while having a discussion with some religious friends that some Protestant denominations see art as a "distraction from" God.

Moreover, I heard in the novel, "The Pilgrim's Passage" that the main character sees other people as a distraction towards his path to God.

It seems that some Religions(Catholics) might be included: See the world as given to us by God and wanting to be celebrated.

Some Protestant denominations(you guys might know which one's better): See the world as "damned" and "depraved." In general, have a much more "bleaker view" of the world.

I don't want to "pigeon hole" any one nor their believes. Rather I wanted to hear from you guys as to what did you think. This are words and ideas that have come up from discussions hence, I wanted to expand on them more.

If you study church history you will find that the things you have been told are based on fact, if you want to know more read church history, then ask specific questions, there are people on this forum who can answer your questions.

 

[Marcel_Prix]

I’m sure there’s a few individuals who would say that, but no I’ve never heard of this being taught wide in Protestant denominations. The Sunday School I attend did a study on art from a Christian perspective this past spring. So maybe there is indeed an attack on art? Otherwise they wouldn’t have been motivated to do the study? I think the teacher just had an appreciation of art.


Yeah, a lot of Protestant denominations see the world as corrupt & full of sin, but we see beauty from God in it too. We see life as a gift & good things are blessings from God. Blessings can be corrupted on an individual basis, but that doesn't mean the blessing / gift is inherently evil.

Would those be Calvinists and Methodists? Also its not possible to read tons of sources. Its better to learn from discussions as well.

 

[Marcel_Prix]

If you study church history you will find that the things you have been told are based on fact, if you want to know more read church history, then ask specific questions, there are people on this forum who can answer your questions.

Maybe its a Socratic way of learning, I find it enjoyable just having these discussions as opposed to doing a much more "serious study."Since it would take a lot of time. So far from watching videos and talking to people online some are saying that Protestants saying that Protestants have a dislike for "Church Art," would you agree or disagree with this?

 

[disciple Clint]

Maybe its a Socratic way of learning, I find it enjoyable just having these discussions as opposed to doing a much more "serious study."Since it would take a lot of time. So far from watching videos and talking to people online some are saying that Protestants saying that Protestants have a dislike for "Church Art," would you agree or disagree with this?

There are almost no absolute answers, so it is true to one degree or another for many denominations, study the history find out the who how and why, then you will know for yourself

 

[LankyLee]

Maybe its a Socratic way of learning, I find it enjoyable just having these discussions as opposed to doing a much more "serious study."Since it would take a lot of time. So far from watching videos and talking to people online some are saying that Protestants saying that Protestants have a dislike for "Church Art," would you agree or disagree with this?

I'm a Baptist.
If the art is good, it's good art.
If the art is bad, it's bad art.
Good and Bad are used both ways here. Lol.
....answered that like a true artist.

 

[Bob Crowley]

I don't think Protestants are against "life", depending on what you mean by "life"? I'm an ex-Protestant and I've been in a number of Protestant churches from time to time, mainly Presbyterian, Wesleyan Methodist and Baptist, with the occasional foray into Anglican and "non-denominational" churches.

Some Protestant denominations (usually Reformed?) have an overly harsh attitude to anything that they think hints at idolatory - statues, pictures, some forms of music etc.

I remember when I was Presbyterian my old pastor said in one of his sermons that there was (reformed?) church in Germany(?) somewhere in which the furniture consisted of backless pews, a plain table for the altar, the walls were white washed, and the single musical instrument was a tuning fork.

He remarked "They'd gotten art mixed up with idolatory".

There was a Brethren Church near the Presbyterian Church. The men all wore suits and hats, and the women all had their heads covered. I don't know what the church was like inside, but I'd be surprised if they had a rock band.

I think that attitude is pretty much a thing of the past these days. Some Protestant mega churches have taken artistic licence to an extreme.

Megachurches and their extravagance: How much is too much?

The Catholic Churches in our parish are dowdy by comparison.

 

[Blaise N]

Hello everyone,

I don't want to cause controversy. I have an interest in studying different religions, cultures and peoples.

I recently discovered while having a discussion with some religious friends that some Protestant denominations see art as a "distraction from" God.

Moreover, I heard in the novel, "The Pilgrim's Passage" that the main character sees other people as a distraction towards his path to God.

It seems that some Religions(Catholics) might be included: See the world as given to us by God and wanting to be celebrated.

Some Protestant denominations(you guys might know which one's better): See the world as "damned" and "depraved." In general, have a much more "bleaker view" of the world.

I don't want to "pigeon hole" any one nor their believes. Rather I wanted to hear from you guys as to what did you think. This are words and ideas that have come up from discussions hence, I wanted to expand on them more.

Well it depends on the art.There’s Godly art and sinful art.Obviously there’s a clear difference and example of the two.

In terms of illustrations and paintings,for example,the art of the Cross,paintings depicting biblical accounts,and amazing moments I don’t see as sinful,however I strongly encourage that paintings depicting what Jesus looks like not be made,as humans are sitting ducks without the holy spirits protection to idolatry.
And of course there’s inappropriate paintings and art,of such stuff is so disgusting and repulsive it’s utterly alien to a born again mind.


Art is a broad spectrum of activities thag are combined into that small word.
Literature,painting,sculpting,carving,crafting,filming,photography,poetry,weaving,forging,inventing,restoring,the list goes on,I think the only time it becomes sun is when it includes anything of the acts of the flesh,the 7 things the Lord hates,direct disobedience to the Law of Christ,etc.If it has profanity,drugs,nudity,evil imagry(Occult,paganism,satanic,zodiac,Masonic),gore(except for war paintings),and the such its sin as it’s not anything inspired by the things commended in Philippians 4:8

 

[Marcel_Prix]

I don't think Protestants are against "life", depending on what you mean by "life"? I'm an ex-Protestant and I've been in a number of Protestant churches from time to time, mainly Presbyterian, Wesleyan Methodist and Baptist, with the occasional foray into Anglican and "non-denominational" churches.

Some Protestant denominations (usually Reformed?) have an overly harsh attitude to anything that they think hints at idolatory - statues, pictures, some forms of music etc.

I remember when I was Presbyterian my old pastor said in one of his sermons that there was (reformed?) church in Germany(?) somewhere in which the furniture consisted of backless pews, a plain table for the altar, the walls were white washed, and the single musical instrument was a tuning fork.

He remarked "They'd gotten art mixed up with idolatory".

There was a Brethren Church near the Presbyterian Church. The men all wore suits and hats, and the women all had their heads covered. I don't know what the church was like inside, but I'd be surprised if they had a rock band.

I think that attitude is pretty much a thing of the past these days. Some Protestant mega churche have taken artistic licence to an extreme.

Megachurches and their extravagance: How much is too much?

The Catholic Churches in our parish are dowdy by comparison.

Yes but the Catholic Church promotes are that is "Solemn' and "High Art." While some Protestant denominations seem to promote popular art. As the article itself talks about its all about "extravaganza" where it becomes less "tasteful." My main belief is that by showing a more "Serious Art" you are showing respect towards the Creation of God.

I think the main problem is that we are trying to fit all Protestant denominations in one bag when there's multiple of them. At least from what I've heard Anglicans and some Lutherans seem a bit more serious. While others denominations aren't.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hello everyone,

I don't want to cause controversy. I have an interest in studying different religions, cultures and peoples.

I recently discovered while having a discussion with some religious friends that some Protestant denominations see art as a "distraction from" God.

Moreover, I heard in the novel, "The Pilgrim's Passage" that the main character sees other people as a distraction towards his path to God.

It seems that some Religions(Catholics) might be included: See the world as given to us by God and wanting to be celebrated.

Some Protestant denominations(you guys might know which one's better): See the world as "damned" and "depraved." In general, have a much more "bleaker view" of the world.

I don't want to "pigeon hole" any one nor their believes. Rather I wanted to hear from you guys as to what did you think. This are words and ideas that have come up from discussions hence, I wanted to expand on them more.

It is true that some Protestant denominations see the world as "depraved", "inherently sinful", or "unredeemable". But this is not the case generally. The early church specifically wrote about the nature of God, and how He (God) gives goodwill to all men. That God does not see some as bad and some as good.

Irenaeus A.D. 120-202 - For there is no coercion with God, but a good will [towards us] is present with Him continually. And therefore does He give good counsel to all.
​

Now I am a Protestant, but I don't believe in a "total depravity", I see God has put good in man, but often our desires run to dark things. "Evil is present with us".

From my world view, I don't see art as evil. I have studied art, and graphic design formally. But there are "forms" of art that I don't participate in, such as nudity etc. This is because God calls us to purity.

The good we see in the world comes from God, and can all be participated in (within the boundaries that God has set).

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.