Art and Faith: United to the Glorifying of God

Art has always been more than paint on canvas, notes in a song, or frames in a film. Art is the language of the soul — a way of expressing the invisible, giving shape to what mere words alone cannot hold. Every brushstroke, lyric, or movement tells a story, carries an emotion, or opens a window into another person’s heart. This chaos called “Art“, however, can be even more powerful when it is channeled through an intentional council, an Inspiration, what we believe and trust, “Faith“.

This writing is an attempt to answer some important questions about Faith and Art—especially one of the most overwhelming questions a Christian creative can have: “How do I use my art to do the will of God or glorify Him?” Of course, this is not to tell you exactly what to do; rather, we’ll be offering perspectives to help clear away some of the clouds of doubt surrounding the matter and leave you with the right attitude to ask the right questions, hopefully leading to the answers that would satisfy.

What Is Art? Insights from Esteemed Creators

Clive Bell and Madeleine L’Engle

Clive Bell, an influential English art critic of the early 20th century who championed Post-Impressionism, believed that true art arises from “significant form”—the combination of line and color that elicits aesthetic emotion, Encyclopedia BritannicaWikipedia. As Bell put it, “The important thing about a picture … is whether it provokes aesthetic emotion,” Wikipedia.

Madeleine L’Engle, acclaimed author of A Wrinkle in Time and a thoughtful voice on creativity, believed that art and faith are inseparable. She wrote, “All real art is, in its true sense, religious; it is a religious impulse; there is no such thing as a non-religious subject.” A-Z Quotes Through her words, she reminds us that true creativity flows from a sacred place—and that every creative act is an opportunity to reflect the beauty and truth of God.

These perspectives remind us that art is not merely aesthetics or craftsmanship—it is about what moves us, what we create, and why we create it.

Biblical Foundations: Creativity as Divine Gift

The Bible consistently shows that our creative capacities come from God. In Exodus, He tells Moses that certain individuals have been endowed with artistic gifts. It says “…See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.” (Exodus 35:30-33 NLT). These passages underscore that God both gives and directs creativity in worship.

As followers of Christ, we’ve been raised with Him from the grave—our gifts are now sacred and sharper than ever after receiving the Spirit of God for the glorifying of God through Jesus Christ. Yet, history shows how the Israelites, in the wilderness, used their artistic gifts to sculpt a golden calf and began to worship it (Exodus 32). Their creative talent was redirected toward idolatry—not glory.

In contrast, we have been redeemed and set apart. Our role is to use our natural, God-embedded creativity to edify the world, to glorify God, and to serve others—with intentionality and worship at the center.

How Can Your Craft Glorify God?

As Christian Creatives, there is a time in our lives where we hit and we begin to wonder how to channel these gifts that we’ve received to draw people back to the One who has given to us, it can be very overwhelming, especially as new converts we will begin to think of ways to use your craft to glorify God.

That is why we have the Holy Spirit to guide us; “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13 NIV). While we cannot tell you which door to enter, we can, however, show you some of the doors that are open for possible exploration. In content creation,for example, although it has become inherently popular these past couple of years after the pandemic, it takes a lot of creative effort to create a lasting influence that then grows conviction and, with a Godly intention, can reveal truth and clear doubt in the hearts of those who consume that content. Sculpting, 3d animation, stop-motion animation, and instead of building Calfs and things of worship, we should make sculptures that speak life, promote truth, and inspire generations. As a fashion designer, you can make clothes and brands that promote humility, modesty, and overall, class, since we are Kings and Priests after all.

Every Art form can become a platform of worship when aligned with His heart.

The Arts of Sons: A Community of Collaborative Worship

At The Arts of Sons, we exist to unify Christian creatives across disciplines—film, design, music, writing, content strategy, animation—into one creative body. We’re driven by the belief that Jesus uses diverse Art forms, just as He spoke through parables in varied ways, to communicate one truth: God is to be glorified.

Today, the fusion of disciplines is richer than ever. A film needs a soundtrack, set and costume design, CGI, and a promotional narrative. Our goal is to create a faith-based collaborative space where these talents converge in worship and build lifelong partnerships and friendships.

May this be an invitation, a reflection, and perhaps a question: How will your art reflect eternity today?

Selah