Discover: Biblical Art: Creativity And God's Wonderful Artistry

Who was the first artist? Perhaps the ancient people who made handprints and crude drawings of animals on cave walls come to mind. One far more ancient, however, was the one who made all things—God. Humans are called God’s “workmanship” or “handiwork,” and the universe reflects his character as an artist. What does the Bible say about creativity? And how does God’s artistry inspire my own fine art?

Is God an Artist?

In the Bible, God creates all things, heaven and earth, sea and sky, land and plants, animals and humans. Nature in all its magnificent variety is aesthetically beautiful, and so God can be considered an artist who created the universe. From the most delicate pattern on the wings and of an insect, to the grandest mountaintop, God’s character as an artist shines in nature. “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24)

However, his masterpiece is humanity, male and female. In Genesis, God is described as making Adam, the first human, out of dirt, mud, or clay, depending on the translation (Genesis 2:7). The message is obvious: God took intentional, artistic care with humans, like a potter to clay. Isaiah 64:8 says, “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” We are, as David writes, “wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

Even beyond the creation of the universe, God expresses his artistry by handing down designs for a temple to the Israelites. He includes multi-layered symbolism and extravagance in each detail of the temple described, even including the Ark of the Covenant and the priest’s clothes (cf. Exodus 25-31).

God Inspires Art

Although God gives specific instructions for construction, he also allowed for artistic expression through the artisans-builders. Moses gathers “every skillful craftsman” from Israel (Exodus 35:1). More than this, God “stirred up the hearts” of men and women from all over Israel to pitch in their artistic talents and materials.

Specifically, God called Bezalel and divinely inspired his artistic skill, filling him with “the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.” (Exodus 35:31-33)

In addition, God inspired him to pass on his artistic skills to his apprentices. So, not only does God create as an artist, he inspires human artists too.

Creating Art for God’s Glory

God created humans as “images” of himself, as reflections of his nature and character. As such, our creative propensity comes from God’s design. Whether factory workers, insurance salesmen, or artists creating fine art, Paul the Apostle commends us to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” and “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 3:10) Artists have the unique opportunity to give God glory through their creative making.

Part of our purpose, as images of God, is to create. As the renowned Christian artist and theologian, Fujimura, points out, Adam’s first words are a love poem describing Eve. Fujimura presents a brilliant theology of art and making in Art and Faith. He wonders, “Perhaps…being an artist is not an anomaly to faith, but is central to faith and to the place of the church in the world.” I, for one, tend to agree.

Worship can take many shapes. Broadly, worship “is the awed response to the saving acts and praiseworthy character of God.” One such reverent action is singing adoration of God, a kind of art. Bach, the greatest composer of all time, famously signed off his pieces with Soli Deo Gloria, a Latin phrase meaning “Glory to God alone.”

Art and my Fine Art Photography

Nature inspires adoration and awe of God the creator, and, for me, the desire to skillfully capture its beauty. I define fine art photography as “an expression of the artist and beauty for beauty’s sake through the medium of photography.” My favorite way to create “beauty for beauty’s sake” is to competently capture an aesthetic image of nature, which I can share with others.

Spending time in nature has been shown to increase peace, calmness, and gratitude. For all the wilderness adventures, trips to parks, and camping expeditions, I find capturing the essence of a natural setting can help bring nature from the outside inside, both reminding and inspiring with nature. By extension, nature, in turn, reminds us to worship God as the grand designer.

I hope all my pieces bring God glory through their excellence, as I live out the Christian life. I consider my art to worship God. I hope they can inspire you toward greater appreciation of God’s masterpiece of the universe.