He Shines in All That’s Fair: Beauty as Witness and Window (Part Two)
There’s a fascinating scene in the otherwise altogether forgettable 2012 remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” in which an alien (played by Keanu Reeves) who has become incarnate in our world to save the planet by destroying humanity is introduced to a Nobel Prize-winning biologist (played by John Cleese - in a very un-silly role). The alien and biologist connect at first over a mathematical formula, but what gets the attention of the alien is the Bach concerto playing in the background. “It’s beautiful,” he observes. Spoiler alert - that manifestation of beauty leads to the alien holding off on wiping us all out. We’ve got potential, he decides. “Beauty saves the world.”
In “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” humans commend themselves as creators of beauty to fend off the Savior who comes to judge and destroy. So, while it is soteriologically bananas, it does take into account a dimension of humanity we often forget - in the beginning, we were “crowned with glory and honor” (Psalm 8). Yes, we threw that royal headgear in the dust from which we’d been fashioned, but in salvation, a new crown awaits all who look to Christ (2 Timothy 4). In between those two moments unfolds the tale of two crowns told through the ugliness of Jesus’ crown of thorns and his glorious enthronement on high, crowned “with many crowns,” as the old Wesley hymn says.
In the long journey of redemption’s story, we never lost our regal creativity, sometimes becoming those who could fashion instruments of worship—or idolatry; of fruitfulness—or murder and war. The work of fashioning beauty, of turning grapes into wine and grain into bread, paint into portraits, and notes into song, has accompanied and shaped the human story. In beauty, like the alien who heard Bach, we find a hint of what we were made for.
In answer to Billie Eilish’s haunting song, “What Was I Made For?” from last Summer’s Barbie film, the Scriptures answer, “For God’s glory and communion with him, to know him, and through Christ behold his beauty, not for one day in his courts but for all eternity in his love, becoming fully human as God’s image bearer.” Beauty, like the fire blazing in the bush without consuming it, grabs our attention, and with Moses, we respond, “I must turn aside and see this thing…” (Exodus 3). The fire has gripped the imagination of philosophers and artists alike across the years.
Roger Scruton and the Moral Dimensions of Beauty
British philosopher Roger Scruton placed a significant emphasis on the moral dimensions of beauty, arguing that it has the power to elevate the human spirit and cultivate virtues. Scruton saw beauty as integral to a well-lived life, suggesting that the experience of beauty can offer solace, redemption, and a glimpse of a transcendent order. In his book Beauty, Scruton writes, "Beauty is a value, as important in its way as truth and goodness, and like those other values, it is contested and obscure, but nonetheless an ultimate aim of human existence."
For Scruton, the appreciation of beauty is not just about personal pleasure but involves a deep ethical commitment. It encourages respect and preservation, not just of art and nature, but of the community and social order. Scruton believed that the degradation of beauty in public spaces and culture leads to a loss of social cohesion and moral values, thus emphasizing the need for a societal commitment to the beautiful.
Jacques Maritain on Beauty as a Transcendental Property of Being
French philosopher Jacques Maritain offered a Thomistic view of beauty, grounding it in the metaphysics of being and truth. Maritain considered beauty to be a transcendental property of being, like truth and goodness. He described beauty as "the splendor of form upon the intelligible structure of reality." His approach suggests that beauty reveals something fundamental about the nature of things.
Maritain's perspective is deeply theological but also practical. He argued that the artist's role is to perceive the inner truths of reality and express them through form, which then communicates beauty. This view not only underscores the role of artists in society but also elevates their work as a vital means of engaging with and unveiling truth - even divine truth. His approach encourages the integration of art, philosophy, and theology, reflecting a holistic approach to understanding beauty and its implications.
Synthesis of Philosophical and Theological Insights
Both Scruton and Maritain reinforce the notion that beauty transcends mere aesthetic appreciation. It engages the moral and intellectual faculties of the human person, calling us to a higher standard of interaction with the world around us. Their ideas suggest that properly understood beauty can lead to a richer, more ethical, and more spiritually aware life and community.
They support the idea of objective beauty, arguing that certain forms, symmetries, and compositions are universally recognized as beautiful. Scruton, in particular, defends the concept of universal beauty, suggesting that our capacity to recognize beauty is grounded in our nature and thus points to a shared human experience. This notion of objective beauty challenges the modern subjective viewpoint, advocating for a more communal and less individualistic understanding of beauty. If that’s so, might it be an echo of Eden, a ping from heaven to make us look out and up in faith and hope? Perhaps.
This synthesis of philosophical and theological insights into beauty shows that while beauty itself may be contested in its definitions and implications, its importance to human culture and individual well-being is undeniable. These perspectives offer a deeper appreciation of beauty's role in human experience, echoing the theological assertions of Augustine and Ratzinger, as well as Dostoyevsky's literary insights.
Living Out the Call to Create and Share Beauty
For Christians, beauty holds an honored place not only as a source of inspiration but also as a means of witness and evangelism. The call to embrace and propagate beauty is an integral part of living out the Christian faith in a world that often overlooks or undervalues it, or that honors a society that denigrates and desecrates all it touches.
For Christians, everyday encounters with beauty—through art, nature, music, or interpersonal relationships—remind them of God’s presence and grace. These encounters are opportunities to reflect on God’s beauty and to manifest God's love through the appreciation and creation of beauty. For instance, maintaining a beautiful and hospitable home can be a form of ministry, offering peace and solace to others.
Moreover, cultivating personal talents in the arts is a direct way Christians can contribute to the presence of beauty in the world. Whether through painting, music, writing, building, sculpting, or engineering, these acts of creation mirror God's creative act and serve as a form of worship, service, and communication of the Gospel’s beauty to others.
Beauty and Evangelism
Beauty can also be a powerful evangelistic medium in a broader cultural context. The beauty of a well-crafted story or musical composition can open hearts in ways that words alone may not; beauty acts as a plow to turn over the hard soil of the soul and expose it to the truth. In this way, borrowing from O. Alan Noble, beauty is a “disruptive witness.” Beauty bridges gaps between diverse cultures and beliefs and, in so doing, can create spaces for new dialogue where faith can emerge.
Consider Augustine’s experience:
Augustine, on hearing the music at the Church in Milan - “When I remember the tears that I shed on hearing the songs of the Church in the early days, soon after I had recovered my faith, and when I realize that nowadays it is not the singing that moves me but the meaning of the words when they are sung in a clear voice to the most appropriate tune, I again acknowledge the great value of this practice.”
Christian involvement in the arts can thus be seen as a calling and a mission. By creating and supporting beautiful and truthful artistic endeavors, Christians can offer a glimpse of the transcendent, drawing others towards the truth of the Gospel. This role is crucial in a society where art and beauty are often stripped of their deeper significance and reduced to mere entertainment or decoration.
The Role of the Church
The church itself has a significant role in fostering an appreciation for beauty. By incorporating art and beauty into worship and community life, the church can enhance its members' spiritual lives and attract those searching for meaning. The visual arts, light, sound, design, music, and literature can all be harnessed to enrich worship, making the encounter with the gospel more accessible and our instruction even more memorable.
The Family as a Testimony of Beauty
The Christian family itself can be a profound witness of beauty. As theologian Peter Leithart points out, "The Christian family, ordered and harmonious, loving and self-giving, stands as a sign of hope and beauty in a broken world." In his view, the family is a private institution and a public testimony, demonstrating the beauty of Christian life lived out in love and mutual submission. The beauty of a well-ordered family life—characterized by joy, sacrifice, and devoted love—is a powerful witness to the grace and transformative power of the Gospel.
The Church's Role in Supporting the Arts
The church has a critical role to play in nurturing this artistic vocation. By providing resources, platforms, and encouragement, churches can cultivate an environment where Christian artists can thrive and explore their creative gifts. Churches can also serve as spaces where art is displayed and celebrated as a vital aspect of worship and community life.
This supportive role involves recognizing the arts as a legitimate and vital part of a Christian’s service to the church and in the church's mission in the world—a way to communicate God's truth and beauty effectively and engagingly. By investing in the arts, the church affirms the value of creativity and its potential to enrich the spiritual and communal life of believers.
In Conclusion
Reflecting on and promoting beauty is an aesthetic activity and a spiritual and communal practice. For Christians, engaging with beauty reflects their love for God and manifests their faith. Through these beautiful acts and creations, the Christian community can discover new ports for gospel missions, places where hope beautifully bears witness to God's goodness and glory, and the seeds of his truth can take root and fill the land.
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts…”