JFP Tour | Recap (Day 3)
July 23, 2008
ART OR VANDALISM
The following is from page 170 in Shane & Chris’ book, Jesus for President.
Who needs a Creator when we can sculpt mountains? Who needs a Great Physician when we can heal ourselves? Who needs Providence for food when we can clone animals for food? Who needs a Savior when we have a four hundred billion dollar defense shield? Who needs a Deliverer when the empire has become a democracy? Who needs a God when we are worthy of worship ourselves?
The Jesus for President tour event included a multimedia presentation while Shane and Chris told the story written in their book and the Psalters performed. At one point they showed this picture with the word “Vandalism” printed at the bottom. I’ve thought about this nearly every day since the event and talked with several friends about it. It has certainly provoked me to think and wonder if we are making a mockery of Gods earth and being irresponsible, because “we can.”
How do you feel when you see this picture with the word Vandalism at the bottom? Do you think it’s just art, created by some master sculptor, or does it seem like vandalism of God’s creation?
I think that God created us in His image, and part of that includes His creativity. We are expressive, creative beings, and art is one way we use to express ourselves. While I get that we are using God’s creation irresponsibly (and agree 100%), I don’t believe that God would see Mount Rushmore as vandalism. I think that’s taking an example a little too far maybe.
Would it make a difference if Mt. Rushmore had Martin Luther, Saint Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, and C.S. Lewis on it? Would there be a different message?
Absolutely! But I don’t think it would make it any more or less vandalism. By the way, how many of the people on the stage had tattoos? How is that not vandalism if Mount Rushmore is?