Jun 26 2008
published: Living the Past
“Living the Past,” the first of three articles I’m writing on the role of Christians in the arts, has been published on Boundless.org.
I’d love to hear from you on this subject!
HST 20th Anniversary!
Rachel’s Books
That was a beautiful article. I loved the imagery of it, and I loved imagining Carolyn dancing in my head. Her dancing truly is amazing. It is worshipful and pure. You must post more videos of her and give me the links to them!
Right now, I’m reading The Liberated Imagination by Leland Ryken, which talks about some of the same things. There is one difference, though. Although that book is all about the arts, it is so dry and factual. Your article conveyed some of the same truths, but it did so artistically.
Dear Rachel,
Yes, great beauty, which love as you know we share…Yet is it not only a part of it? We live and love Jesus here in this modern world. He is alive today. we use our creativity as Nuns, as tools to feed and clothe Jesus, not for themselves. The beauty around and in us feeds us and rests us to do that work….to bring Jesus to the drug addicts and homeless..the love and the beauty are one step on that path, rather than an end in themselves.
The life of the wilderness is what many see as an aim; yet it is harsh in reality; we simply extract the beauty – and I am never sure how much that is truthful and helpful. Different ways!!Blessings this day, and this night….
I read “Living the Past” last night …
It touched a chord in my heart. It’s hard to put my thoughts into words – you shared so many of my ideas so beautifully in your article! :) The idea of creativity being a precious gift from our creative God is one I treasure. And as a writer of historical fiction, the idea of remembering the past by bringing it to life in a story that touches the hearts and kindles the souls of the readers, is one I … hmm … I was going to type, “treausre” again. But actually – honestly! – the idea scares me … the heritage we have as believers, in a history that reads like an epic adventure/romance, is awesome – the potential is so great! However … after reading your article, I’m thinking the potential is SO great it MUST be explored and shared. It must NOT be ignored. You say, “as Christian artists, it is out special task to keep that inredible heritiage in rememberance. It is ours to see that the past is not forgotten, but lived …” Thank you for reminding me of that – and inspiring me to pick up my pen (um … plug in my computer …) and start exploring that potential, living our past … our heritage.