Is a passion for abstract art and music idolatry?

[kevb]

I have a question. Most great art seems to involve some degree of passion by the artist. But we are told Christ to deny and renounce our passions. I know religious art is encouraged, but what about abstract art or avant garde music? Are those considered “self seeking”? Is passionate self expression through art or music idolatry if it doesn’t reference Christ?

 

[the-3rd-parent]

Putting anything, even another human being, above God is idoltry. Whenever we sin, it typically comes from putting something before God and thus every sin is a form of idoltry.

I would not say that the arts are idoltry, but rather for some may become a form of idoltry. It completely depends on the hearts of the individuals

 

[aurora77]

It depends–are you creating art or music for yourself or for God? Not that we should get our theology from movies, but I’ve always liked the line from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade about seeking the holy grail–“Do you seek it for His glory, or for yours?” Your art and music may not be religious by nature but it can still give glory to God.

 

[trumpet152]

Where does God say to renounce our passions? Love art! Just love God more. The answer is not lessening your passion for art and music, but increasing your love for God.

 

[cardenio]

trumpet152:

Where does God say to renounce our passions? Love art! Just love God more. The answer is not lessening your passion for art and music, but increasing your love for God.

That’s beautiful!

Fanfare, fellow trumpet player!

 

[marcadam]

the-3rd-parent:

Putting anything, even another human being, above God is idoltry.

Specifically it is giving the worship due only to God to a creature.

Whenever we sin, it typically comes from putting something before God and thus every sin is a form of idoltry.

In a poetic sense, but not a technical sense. Idolatry is a very specific terminology. The more accurate “proto-sin” is pride, where we put ourselves before God.

 

[TOME]

I would say the simple rule is if the passion becomes such that you have replaced God (the Creator) with that which is merely the created (art/music) so that art and music become ENDS onto themselves and blinds you to seeing the Creator’s activity in them at all times, then it is idolatry.