Hello, my name is Kip White. I am a singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist. I prepared this page to offer a place for sharing ideas about the relationship between art and Christianity. I am not an expert in this field, but I am very interested in the subject. I would like to hear your insights and opinions. Email me questions, opinions, historical perspectives, and articles, and I will post them on this page so that others can interact.  Please include your first name or a "handle" in the correspondence. I look forward to hearing from you.

From Trevor (on the use of arts in transformation)
I am doing research in the use of the arts in social transformation with special reference to the performing arts and how this can be engaged to change behavior and assist in rehabilitation of youth at risk in residential care - can theology enter into a meaningful debate with artists on this issue ? Should the arts only be employed for its aesthetic value or can it be engaged in a process of transformation? What's your take on this issue?
Answer: First, "can artists have meaningful debate around the issue of whether theology has a place in art"?  I think the answer is yes for the following reasons:
1. We create, because we want to be like God. More accurately we are like God in the sense that we do create; although He creates de novo, while we only re-create. We are created in His image (note that when I use the words "He" or "His" when referring to God I am not implying that God has gender, but am simply using historic convention).
2. I believe that much of art (performing or otherwise) is an often unwitting attempt to either touch the "Other" or be touched by that which is "Other". In this sense theology is a core reason for art.
3. Most artists, outside of those for whom it is strictly a commodity, create because they must. There is something that drives us to communion with the muse or the spirit. It is a compelling force similar to gravity. I believe that force is spiritual; therefore, artistic creation has at its heart the question, "who or what is God?" and by extension, "who are we in relation to God?".
Second, "should art only be employed for it's aesthetic value or can it be engaged in a process of transformation"? The apostle Paul once said "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise let your mind dwell on these things" (Phillipians 4:8, New American Standard Bible). If Paul is on the mark (and I believe that he is) then the answer to both parts of the question is yes. That is, the aesthetic value (e.g., something pure or lovely) could be employed alone to aid transformation. Presentation of truth, say in song lyrics, could be employed to foster transformation. I believe, however, that art does not transform people. God does this, at times using the medium of art, and always in some creative way (as God continues to create). One caution regarding the use of art for transformation. It is easy to slip into the trap of judging art by its usefulness (analogous to judging a beautiful tree by how many houses you could build from its wood). I like using Paul's criteria when it comes to art. I believe that there is inherent truth in beauty. To the extent that we are aware of beauty and cultivate it in our lives, our spiritual awareness is enhanced, and we are more open to transformation.

From KW
A few years ago, I was performing for a chapel service at a well-known seminary. Following the performance, a professor approached me and asked if the last song that I sang  (from my Heart to Heart Connection CD) was a "Christian" song. At first I was puzzled by the question, but upon reflection, it angered me that this professor of higher learning could have such a narrow view of what constitutes "Christian". I responded, "are you wearing a Christian neck tie". To which he said, "well I didn't hear the name of Jesus or God in the song". We proceeded to have a rather heated discussion in front of students and other professors. I ended my part of the discussion by saying that all things are sacred if they are not sin. Incidentally, I was never asked to perform again at this particular seminary (go figure).

From HC
I once heard Chris Christian discussing this subject, and when challenged to always have Jesus as the theme or subject in his music his reply was something like, "There is a difference between a Christian musician and an Entertainer that is a Christian. I happen to be the latter and make no apologies about it." The Gospel is not the primary message in every song I write or perform, but it is the setting for my walk in this life and people do sense that I have a relationship through Christ that is more important than my music". Personally Kip, I believe that living life in joy is something that Christians who wear starched under-drawers are missing out on.

From KW
I've been talking to folks recently about whether it's the thought (heart attitude of the performer) or the quality of art that is more important. Framed like this, the question is what I call a have-you-stopped-beating-your-wife-yet question. I believe that we should encourage one another in our areas of giftedness. For example, if John is a good teacher, we should encourage John to teach. Conversely, if Jane is the only one who volunteers to lead the children's choir, but she has poor musical ability, perhaps we should be honest enough (for everyone's sake, including Christ, Jane, children, congregation) to say "thanks, but this is not an area that you are gifted in". Sometimes less really is more, and we should savor what is really good rather than just filling up the spaces with mediocrity.

What do you think? 

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kwhite@selahmusicinc.com