How Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Power of the Arts for Christian Life

Bevins (Simply Anglican), founder of the Christian nonprofit Creo Arts, offers a vivid defense of the creative arts as a vital extension of Christian faith. Art, Bevins writes, stems from an innate human longing for beauty that allows believers to transcend the everyday and briefly glimpse God’s spirit. In short, meditative chapters, he unpacks how art bridges cultural divides by speaking to universal human desires, connects creators to their own spirituality (in making art, people emulate “on a minute scale” God’s own “practice of creation”), and brings people closer to God (art allows the faithful to open up “the inner life” to the gospel). In a world where utilitarianism and speed have eclipsed the desire for beauty for its own sake, the author writes, Christians can deepen their spirituality by appreciating and making art, both via traditional creative pursuits and adding flourishes to such everyday tasks as cooking or hosting. He also calls on churches to support artists and use their insights to think more “creatively about sharing the gospel with a new generation.” This is a sincere and resonant testament to the power of creativity. (Nov.)