Lesson 9 - The arts redeemed for a purpose

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Photo above by author of "Ten Commandments Panel" in Wittenberg museum 
 (Text below part of presentation to musicians, artists and worship leaders in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 2017)

Lesson 9.  The arts are part of the creation redeemed by Christ and play an important role in all aspects of corporate worship, evangelism and teaching.  However, they must always be servant to the Word of God. 
Luther was keenly aware of the central role of iconography in the false teaching of the Roman Catholic Church but also believed that art and iconography could be powerful teaching tools, especially for the illiterate. Believers, therefore needed to be taught that images are symbolic of the divine, and are not holy in themselves - which was the Catholic position.

Luther did not see the arts as fundamentally flawed but as part of the creation redeemed by Christ. He was the only Reformation leader that treasured and encouraged the arts as a reflection of the creative ability granted to people by their Creator, and as such pleasing to Him. 

Considering the extensive theological library that Luther created, many forget his involvement and commitment to the arts. Most of course are aware of the songs he composed, many of which would be sung passionately for hundreds of years. Not only did Luther exercise a profound influence on the religious and cultural life of sixteenth century Europe, but also he freed music from the domination of the Roman Catholic Church, opening the door to a revolution in music and in the arts generally. He demonstrated that music could have a much wider use and variety than previously allowed. His influence on music cannot be understated, setting the stage for the next 300 years of music. The idea that music as an expression of personal creativity could be pleasing to God opened the door for Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mendelssohn.

His views were not shared by all of the reformers. It contrasted with Calvin and Zwingli who considered the arts to be purely secular and banned or strictly regulated their use. Luther celebrated the organ, while some opposed it. He celebrated using "artistic musical effects" while others felt things needed to be simplified. He wrote songs with original poetic texts while some felt only scripture texts should be sung.   

Luther strongly supported and encouraged the creative output of others. The best example is the extensive collaborative work with Cranach - father and son - highlighted. In addition to the illustrated books, Cranach's 1516 painting of the Ten Commandments (see photo in header) panel for the Wittenberg town council, is a wonderful example of art as a teaching tool.

Prints became an important part of German art and visual culture as a result of the popularity of woodcuts, the invention of engraving in Germany in the fifteenth century, as well as the invention of the printing press with cast-metal movable type by Johannes Gutenberg (d. 1468) of Mainz in 1450. Prints were overwhelmingly published in German vernacular to reach the widest audience. For those who were illiterate, the texts were highly illustrated with woodcuts and engravings. Reformation polemic used a range of media including book-length publications, pamphlets, broadsheets, and interactive leaflets with fold-out flaps and spinning dials.

Luther recognized the usefulness of all the arts in worship, especially music.
Nor am I at all of the opinion that all the arts are to be overthrown and cast aside by the Gospel, as some superspiritual people protest; but I would gladly see all the arts, especially music, in the service of Him who has given and created them.

Being keenly aware of the dangers of imbalance, he made it clear that the art of music serves the Word and not the other way around.
“We must be careful that we do not start worshipping music and forsake worshipping Christ.”

We need to guard against worshiping the arts or creative output and ensure that the arts remain in the service of Him who created them.