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2. 2 The Tabernacle: Fine Arts ch11 People in the Presence of God Supplement ©2014Barry Liesch Biola University La Mirada, California

3. 3 When you are visiting churches and doing your reports you will see art work & church architecture Evaluate it Evaluate it How is it functioning? How is it functioning? What feelings, impressions expressed? What feelings, impressions expressed? It is abstract or representational? It is abstract or representational? Theological significance? Theological significance? What does it tell you about the values/ vision/character of this church? What does it tell you about the values/ vision/character of this church?

4. 4 Sunday Service is for Evangelism! (premise) Sunday Service is for Evangelism! (premise) Make worship space comfortable for seekers Make worship space comfortable for seekers No offensive Christian symbols - secular look No offensive Christian symbols - secular look Reduce singing, prayer, expository teaching Teach/worship/pray Wed nights (not Sunday) Earthquake results of Survey? Earthquake results of Survey? “Change of direction is a necessity” Revise budget!  put money into basics! Is Sunday Worship mainly for seekers? http://www.christiancoachingcenter.org/index.php/russ- rainey/coachingchurch2/ Willow Creek (Bill Hybels in Chicago) Survey Seeks Answers 2004

5. 5 Some Church Terminology Some Church Terminology 1. Seeker Driven 2. Seeker Friendly 3. Worship Evangelism 4. Sunday Worship is Not for Seekers Avoidance of seeker terminology Avoidance of seeker terminology Thought to be a “slippery slope” Thought to be a “slippery slope” Can’t have worship and evangelism Can’t have worship and evangelism Not at same time. It Doesn’t mix. Not at same time. It Doesn’t mix. What do you think?

6. 6 Building of Tabernacle What will be the approach?

7. 7 Building of Tabernacle What will be the approach? Heavy or Light Use of Religious Symbols?

8. 8 Who was called by God to do the work?

9. 9 Skilled Artizans Called into Service Moses then called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful one whom the Lord had given skill, everyone to whose heart was stirred to come to do the work.. Ex 36:2 I have appointed Oholiab…and I have given skill to all the skillful, so that they may make all I have commanded [Altar, Ark, Menorah, etc.] How often does “skill” “skillful” “skillfully” appear in reference to building the Tabernacle? 22 times! No skill! No invitation to serve!

10. 10 The Position of the Skillful Book of Proverbs (The book of Wisdom) Do you see those who are skillful in their work? They shall serve kings; They will not serve common people. Prov 22:29 Prov 22:29

11. 11 The Importance of Skill (Liesch) If you think skill in worship is not that important, you are dreaming… lacking in reality. Skilled musicians attract skilled musicians. The skilled want to work with skilled people. Will skilled musicians be attracted by your level of musical leadership? Recall, God invited the skilled to do the work (Are church/group size, age, factors today?) but there is yet more… but there is yet more…

12. 12 Wisdom Wisdom Understanding Understanding Knowledge Knowledge Craftsmanship Craftsmanship Ability to teach Ability to teach Qualities called for in Selection of Tab Artists

13. 13 First person described as “filled with the spirit” (Ex 35:30) First person described as “filled with the spirit” (Ex 35:30) The Lord has called by name Bezalel…And he has filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship; to make designs… cutting of stones… engraving… embroiderer…weaver... Bezalel (Comprehensive, Chief Artist) Tabernacle

14. 14 Weaving Weaving Embroidering Embroidering Engraving Engraving Sculpting Sculpting Woodcarving Woodcarving Designing Designing Fine Arts in Tabernacle Worship

15. 15 Cherubim woven into curtains Cherubim woven into curtains Almond buds hammered in lamps Almond buds hammered in lamps Lions, bulls in bronze stands Lions, bulls in bronze stands Blue pomegranates & Gems inset in priestly garments Blue pomegranates & Gems inset in priestly garments All the Tabernacle furnishings All the Tabernacle furnishings  Almost every form of known representational art was employed Fine Arts in Tabernacle Worship

16. 16 The closer to the Holy of Holies the furnishings were, the more ornate in figuration and costly the material. The closer to the Holy of Holies the furnishings were, the more ornate in figuration and costly the material.  The Purple / Gold in Holy of Holies. Why?  Because the most expensive? Are the arts in the Tabernacle? What is OT position on the arts? What is your position on the arts? Guiding Principle Tabernacle

17. 17 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord am a jealous God…. (Ex 20:4) You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord am a jealous God…. (Ex 20:4) Artwork and 2nd Commandment

18. 18 Some interpret this as meaning Some interpret this as meaning  No “representational” art in the church Others Others  Cross, altar, OK Still others Still others  Cruxcifixes, images of Mary OK What is acceptable to God? Artwork and 2nd Commandment

19. 19 Islam Islam  Rejected all representational art  Accepted only abstract, decorative art Luther (Lutheran) Luther (Lutheran)  Removed images of Mary but retained crucifixes in church Calvin & Zwingli (Reformed) Calvin & Zwingli (Reformed)  Forbade all paintings & sculptures in church Fine Arts and Islam and Prot Reformation

20. 20 Zwingli: Calvin’s Colleague Great expositor of Scripture A musician, composer! but... allowed no music, art! Luther Zwingli

21. 21 Zwingli: Silenced Music Summer of 1524: Clergy e ntered the parish churches removed the relics and images whitewashed the paintings and decorations nailed the organs shut--that no music resound in churches again. Why? What was going on?

22. 22 Representional & Abstract art Representional & Abstract art  Both permitted, despite 2nd Commandment Abstract art Abstract art  Floral patterns, geometric design, etc  Is God an abstract artist/creator?  Snowflakes, spiral nebula in solar system Representational art requires extra sensitivity theologically? Why? Representational art requires extra sensitivity theologically? Why? Fine Arts in Tabernacle Worship

23. 23 Can symbolic art be effective if people if people don’t know what it means? Should people be expected to explore its meanings on their own?

24. 24 Banners Banners Nature scenes with projected lyrics Nature scenes with projected lyrics Embroidered Communion Cloth Embroidered Communion Cloth Real-Time Drawing Real-Time Drawing Picture Frame Ideas Picture Frame Ideas Stream of Consciousness Stream of Consciousness Object Lessons (eg.Tree) Object Lessons (eg.Tree) Computer projections entire wall Computer projections entire wall Fine Arts in Worship Practical Applications

25. 25 What art have you seen that was that was helpful, noteworthy?

26. 26 Attention to art Attention to art Attention to symbolism Attention to symbolism Living room effect? Living room effect? Small, “insider” communities? Small, “insider” communities? Have you experienced Emerging Church? (I’ve been to only 3 of their services. Not impressed.) Fine Arts and Emerging, Post Modern Church

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