C3.2 creative expressions

• 3 artistic representations of the cross

  • figure of Jesus - Jesus' suffering
  • Christus Rex cross - triumph, resurrection, return to glory w God
  • cross with no image - resurrection, no longer dead
• why might a cross with no image on it be used in Protestant churches?

  represents that Jesus is no longer dead

  Calvin: focus on spiritual themes not worship of idols
• Cromwell: Puritan reformer who destroyed images in churches
• criticism of arg that images of God means worship of idols (Exodus)

  Catechism of Catholic Church: images are venerated, not worshiped, inspiring faith
• veneration of images is important in Orthodox Christian practice as God guides the artist's creativity - icons are a glimpse into the divine
• arg against elaborate choir music

  excludes others from worship, reducing role to passive audience
• Quaker arg against elaborate music

  detracts from worship, should be simple recognition of God
• Calvin arg against elaborate music

  can be vainglorious, praising musicians instead of God
• Catholic arg against modern music

  only some styles have quality + dignity to be worthy of use to worship God
• arg for use of modern music in worship

  attracts younger ppl to worship, represents own lives better
• arg for use of monastic plainchants in worship

  meditative, simple repeated phrases; create calm + focus mind on God
• quote attributed to Beethoven about importance of music in worship: "the vibrations of the air are the breath of God speaking to man's soul"
• Bible quote to support music in worship: "sing praise to him" (Psalm 105)
• Zwingli: worship should be silent to concentrate on God + encourage meditation
• liturgical worship (CofE, Catholic): structure, formal
• non-liturgical worship (evangelical): some structure but informal
• charismatic worship (Pentecostalism, Charismatic Christianity): no structure, led by HS
• 3 ways depictions of the nativity express belief in Jesus' divinity

  • adoration of angels, shepherds, magi
  • gold, frankincense, myrrh: king whose death (myrrh) will save us
  • Magi = Gentiles; Jesus' message for all
• 3 implications of depiction of the nativity emphasising Jesus' poverty

  • ordinary human
  • no value in human riches/power
  • Jesus for the poor + weak (LT)
• Francis of Assisi on artistic depictions of the Nativity

  help ppl, esp uneducated, gain fuller understanding of mystery of incarnation + deepen devotion to Jesus
• argument for no images of God

  Exodus: do not worship idols