Easter Service "Art"

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EmergencyOps said:
One of my former Sunday School teachers now leads the praise band at a megachurch. His FB photos always pique my interest. Their Easter service at their local high school drew in 4,000 folks, but it was one of their props that stunned me. Where do you or your church draw the line between “art” and “profanity”?

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Are you talking about the face of Jesus in the right hand corner?

If so, then for me personally, based soley on the picture itself I don’t see anything profane. Of course, I don’t know how that part of the picture played in the overall service.

Art is very subjective. One man’s trash is another man’s Mona Lisa.

Now, to me, stage productions, complete with lighting, stage makeup, light shows and big screen TV’s lean more toward profane that the artwork.

But hey, I’m old, and I’m old fashioned. Whatcha gonna do? 🤷
 
We Catholics aren’t into that stuff much. When we attend church, we like to be taken out of the world, away from its entertainment and noise. Sunday Mass is about time with the Lord, meditating on his word and becoming one with him in communion. Our services are wedding-feasts - not concerts.,
 
To me, the profane thing was the projection of the man on the stage. My biggest beef about the praise and worship mindset is that there is a large element of Jesus and ME in it. For me, church is about we, not me. A service is the worship of God, not some sort of religious entertainment.

I say this from the perspective of having done projection at our church’s praise and worship service for nine years now. I was originally asked because of my experience in using computers. My preference is to use static images, since the visual experience is so strong as to be overwhelming and can too easily distract from the message. I prefer to use either photographs or art that is related to the message. I have the advantage that we are a liturgical church and I can draw on the lectionary.

I think that especially if we use contemporary music we should use art to remind us that we stand on the shoulders of the saints of all ages. Ours is not just a “here and now” experience, but a continuation of a worship service that has been continuing for at least 5 millennia, and a Christian experience that has continued for two millennia. It might even inject a bit of humility into a momentary experience.
 
Sam_777 said:
I personally don’t like the use of art, paint, etc, specially in religion.
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Neither do I. There are no pictures, crosses, icons in our meeting room. The only thing that “grace” the walls are perhaps a few small posters with quotes of turning to the Light…seeking God with our hearts and minds…and that is all.
 
EmergencyOps said:
One of my former Sunday School teachers now leads the praise band at a megachurch. His FB photos always pique my interest. Their Easter service at their local high school drew in 4,000 folks, but it was one of their props that stunned me. Where do you or your church draw the line between “art” and “profanity”?

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Since it was never intended to be anything like a Mass, I’m not sure what there is to object to. Clearly, the intent was achieved - an art house or coffee house themed with overtly Christian Easter symbolism. Hopefully you would never encounter such a thing at Mass, but I think it’s perfectly appropriate for a local high school that’s hosting an Easter coffee house or art house event.
 
latingirl said:
We Catholics aren’t into that stuff much. When we attend church, we like to be taken out of the world, away from its entertainment and noise. Sunday Mass is about time with the Lord, meditating on his word and becoming one with him in communion. Our services are wedding-feasts - not concerts.,
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Well, there are cultural elements to different Masses, but I don’t know of any Catholic Churches that seem to be that boisterous.
 
latingirl said:
We Catholics aren’t into that stuff much. When we attend church, we like to be taken out of the world, away from its entertainment and noise. Sunday Mass is about time with the Lord, meditating on his word and becoming one with him in communion. Our services are wedding-feasts - not concerts.,
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Are you addressing just the musical aspect,the performance aspect, or all art?

I don’t think we can say “We Catholics aren’t into that stuff much” as a blanket statement.

Especially when you see all of the beautiful Icons, Statues, Paintings etc. in various Churches and Cathedrals.
 
Publisher said:
Neither do I. There are no pictures, crosses, icons in our meeting room. The only thing that “grace” the walls are perhaps a few small posters with quotes of turning to the Light…seeking God with our hearts and minds…and that is all.
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👍
 
JHow said:
You mean like Michelangelo or Da Vinci painting a fresco? How about sculpture?
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Neither that, I keep remembering (Exodus 20:4):
“You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”.
 
Sam_777 said:
Neither that, I keep remembering (Exodus 20:4):
“You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”.
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A passage of scripture must not be taken out of context. The proper understanding of Exodus 20:4-5 is made clear in verse 3, which says “You shall have no other gods besides Me.” In addition to Exodus 20:3, verses 4-5 must be read in the larger context of the whole Bible. Other passages make it abundantly clear that images of heavenly and earthly creatures are not, as such, forbidden by God.
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Turn to Exodus 25:17-22, part of God’s instructions to Moses on how the ark of the covenant should be made. Two golden cherubim are supposed to be fastened on the ends of the lid. In Exodus 28:31-34, God instructs that Aaron’s vestments should be decorated with pomegranates. In other words, God commands His people to make images of heavenly (cherubim) and earthly (pomegranates) things to use in His worship.
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This biblical tradition was continued when Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. Two cherubim, approximately fifteen feet high and wide and covered with gold, stood in the sanctuary with the ark (1Kings 6:23-28). Carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers decorated walls (1Kings 6:29), doors (1Kings 6:32-35), and furniture (1Kings 7:36-37). Twelve statues of oxen supported the sea (1Kings 7:23-26). God consecrated all of these things for His worship (1Kings 9:1-3). We cannot conclude, therefore, that making images of heavenly and earthly things, even for places of worship, is forbidden by Exodus 20:4-5.
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Sam_777 said:
Neither that, I keep remembering (Exodus 20:4):
“You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”.
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Why are we still using exegesis instead of eiseigeis?

If we’re going to pick verses then might as well pick this too:

And you shall make two cherubim of gold *; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end; of one piece of the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be" (Ex. 25:18–20).

And this: for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. All this he made clear by the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it all, all the work to be done according to the plan" (1 Chr. 28:18–19).

And this: Ezekiel 41:17–18 “On the walls round about in the inner room and [on] the nave were carved likenesses of cherubim.”
🤷

MJ*
 
Sam_777 said:
But that was direct orders from GOD to Moses & Solomon, not a general instructions for the public.

Anyway I respect you opinion…
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Thanks.

However, back in my past I used to believe it was wrong to have images graven or otherwise but upon reading John 3:14 where Jesus says: Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

I was at ease! I praise the wisdom of the Church:)

MJ
 
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