It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God by Ned Bustard

It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God Reviews

• 
  Kirsten Jensen

  In search of a theologically sound, aesthetically challenging view of the arts--particularly visual arts--this book pursues a variety of facets to approach the question of what is good art in light of the gospel. The authors, who are both practicing artists or theologians, explore both fundemental truths of a Christian worldview and approaches to artistic thought and style. The result is a view of God that is grounded in the physicality of art and a view of art that is grounded in unseen truth--a wonderful combination no matter who you are. Because of the technicallity involved in the artistic side of the dialogue, however, you will enjoy the book more if you are already interested in art and the directions it is and has been heading. Within that limitation it does what it aims to do well.
• 
  Sharon Barrow Wilfong

  It was Good is a collection of essays by various international artists who have reknown in their field. These fields vary from oils, to sculpture to mult-media. The book includes several photographs of their work, something I find to be one of the valuable attributes of this book.
  
  Besides art, all of these artists have one other thing in common: they are believers in Christ. Though their particular denominations and creeds vary (some are reformed, some are Baptist, some non-denominational and at least one is Roman Catholic) they each offer something as to what sort of philosophy a Christian should have when expressing themselves through the visual arts.
  
  They are all in agreement that Christians were once the powerhouses of art as is evidenced by the Cathedrals and millions of paintings housed in museums all over the world. In fact if one took away religiously inspired art from Europe there would be a significantly smaller amount of art and architecture to see, largely limiting the tourist trade to good restaurants and nude bathing. And we are not even including classical music.
  
  Somewhere along the line, Christians not only lost their standing in the artistic community but seem content to embrace a limited vision of how art should be expressed by believers. This is obvious if one visits any number of churches where the theologically rich tradition of singing hymns, some of them hundreds of years old, sacred music played on the organ and other classical instruments have been tossed in favor or a more "contemporary" sound which has more in common with pop songs on the radio then deep, meditative worship.
  
  Each artist in this book contributes an essay providing their own opinion, insight and philosophy of what art means to Christianity. What purpose does it serve and how should it be expressed.
  
  Some write about the definition of beauty and offers a time line of how that concept has changed over the decades and centuries, including the twentieth where it was deemed undesirable to make works of art that were beautiful.
  
  Another gives a historical account of what art meant to religious figures in the past two thousand years.
  
  Still others contemplate how art should be expressed by believers. Should Christians only create art with an overt Christian message or is their world view implicitly expressed simply because as Christians, they cannot escape expressing this view through their chosen mediums. Is one a Christian artist, or an artist who happens to be Christian?
  
  Should Christians only give happy, sentimental views of life or should they make art that exposes the grime as well?
  
  These and many other ideas are explored throughout these essays.
  
  While I found much of what they said to be valuable, although I did not agree with everything and found one or two of the philosophies esoteric, I think that many would benefit from hearing what they have to say whether you are a Christian or not.
  
  I found that all the writers were people who may have their eyes toward God, were firmly grounded in the realities on earth.
• 
  Terri

  It Was Good is a collection of twenty-one artists and their very insightful essays on art. The book isn't just a "write what you want about art" sort of book. It covers various subjects in an orderly fashion. Some of the topics are: Beauty, Substance, Presence, Mission, Community, Essence, Identity. Every chapter is very well written, well laid out and inspiring.
  
  Color plates of some of the art help to crystalize the comments of the artist.
  
  This book gives real meaning and purpose for the artist today. The book clarifies what it is to live life giving glory to God through art, not because it is "Christian" art or art that preaches but rather because you serve the triune God your art can have meaning and depth. Makoto Fujimoro states, "Such a Christocentric perspective on the arts can also release our creativity from being enslaved to a particular form, or style of art." And that is just one fully laden sentence in a book of 355 pages!
  
  This book will make you want to get out your pencils, paints, paper and brushes and start expressing yourself through art again.
  
• 
  Andy

  Regardless of your views on the arts, It Was Good should be required reading for anyone interested in the arts and culture. There's certainly something for everyone here: "art" is a broad term encompassing not only painting and sculpture, but also music, film, drama, literature and much more. Many of these essays encouraged, strengthened and challenged me and the way I look at both Christianity and the arts. Highly recommended. (The next book in this series It Was Good: Making Music to the Glory of God is available now from Square Halo Books.)
• 
  M Christopher

  Like most anthologies of essays, this is a mixed bag. There were some that I found fascinating, some tedious enough that I skipped over them, some readable but not compelling. I bought the book primarily for an essay from my friend and former colleague Dale Savidge and his piece on theatre as an incarnational art did not disappoint. A fine addition to the library of anyone interested in the interaction between the arts and theology.
• 
  Robert

  Many quotable and memorable moments. But, generally, a rather inconsistent and at times prosaic look at a profound topic. Theologically, a bit didactic and oversimplified to the point of jingoistic but still holds its own as a good read. I'm sure I'll read it again. Just not for awhile.
• 
  Eben

  Outstanding for gaining perspective for Art and the church.
  Really helps artists fight through the tension of Christian and Christian Art!
• 
  Becky Pliego

  Very good.
• 
  Bryan

  
  
  One of the gems hidden in a book like this are the resources to be found in the works cited by each off the respective essayists.
• 
  Steve

  Thoughtful essays on art. There some really solid contributions here: I particularly enjoyed the essays on Michelangelo and Brahms.
• 
  Tom

  A very mixed bag of essays. Various depths of understanding Christian theology among the authors. Some good insights into art-making.
• 
  Grace

  This book took me so long to get through and a lot of it was very dense and complex. But there are a lot of important ideas here and I loved several of the essays.
• 
  Sherry Elmer

  I loved this very worthwhile exploration of faith and the arts. This is a collection of essays by various artists, including painters, writers, actors, and musicians. My favorite essay was one about Michelangelo called "Creator, Creation, and Creativity" by James Romaine; that essay alone was worth the price of the book.
  
  Recommended for anyone interested in the intersection of faith and art.
• 
  Bob Robinson

  The essays in this volume were spotty. Some were quite good while others were not very helpful at all. I was surprised to be disappointed in Tim Keller's contribution. Ned Bustard, Mako Fujimura, and Greg Wolfe offered excellent insights.
• 
  Leslee

  This is a beautiful book of full-color photographs of the work of contemporary Christian artists. It is uplifting and stunning.
• 
  Bill Walsh

  An extensive and thorough look at a Christian view of the arts. Many great contributors from various backgrounds in the arts.