The REnaissance Project part 2

So what is The Renaissance Project?

I. Philosophical framework (in 3 parts)

Part 1) A Transitional Movement: a restructuring of priorities

Part 2) A Revival of Classical Influence: a re-discovery of ancient inspiration

After 400 years of slavery and oppression in the land of Egypt, the Lord brings the people of Israel through the Red Sea to the foot of Mt. Sinai in order to introduce himself to a people who were only vaguely aware that they were a people. Through the giving of Genesis by the divinely inspired pen of their divinely appointed leader Moses, we see a record of God’s introduction of himself to this recently freed group of slaves. People, meet Yahweh, your God. The first recorded act that a sovereign and purposeful God chooses to record, the first characteristic of himself revealed to this people is as Creator. Genesis 1:1 states that, “In the beginning, God created…” God as Creator. Creativity is a divine attribute. The very act of participating in the creative process is a mimicry of the Divine.

As we look around at the results of this divine act of creation, even in its fallen state our breath is taken away by jagged, snow-capped peaks, by vast, sparkling oceans, by the heart stopping beauty of a sunset, by the panorama of colors revealed upon a canvas of Fall leaves. Even in the amazing diversity and creativity displayed within the countless flora and fauna found across the globe, God’s creative nature screams to us in a symphony of varied revelations.

In Exodus 31 we see in the commissioning of Oholiab and Bezalel as craftsmen and artisans for the Tabernacle the importance which God places upon the creation of beauty for His own Glory. In the creation of beautiful things, whether that be a carefully built piece of furniture, a well constructed story, a beautiful painting, a spectacularly designed landscape or a finely crafted song, not only are we bearing and reflecting the image of God by mimicking the divine attribute of His creativity, we are also bringing glory to God by the creation of beauty.

Historically, particularly during the middle ages, much of the finest art in the area of music, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, etc was produced for and commissioned by the church. Where would Michelangelo or Da Vinci been without the church as a patron? Where would Handel have been without the body of Christ supporting his composing music for God’s own glory? It could even be argued that David in his composition and performance of music at the request of King Saul was a beneficiary of Saul’s (admittedly schizophrenic) patronage.

The Renaissance Project desires to encourage and work towards a return to the churches broader involvement in and support of the arts community.