Five Roles of Redemptive Artistry

Portion of American Windows (1977), Marc Chagall. Stained glass window panels in the Art Institute of Chicago

After reading Calvin Seerveld for several years, here is my attempt at restating what I believe to be five roles of what he calls “redemptive artistry.”

In his book, Bearing Fresh Olive Leaves, Seerveld says redemptive artistry can speak a “modern language that both an orthodox Christian and a hard-core secularist can understand” (112). For him, redemptive artistry is like,

“what the dove did for Noah in the ark. Noah was wondering whether the punishing flood had receded and the earth was now habitable again. The dove came back bearing fresh olive leaves (Genesis 8:6-12), a token that the faithful LORD was giving new life on earth after the awful judgment on world sin. Maybe we could consider artistry by the redeemed for their neighbor as simply giving a metaphoric promise of life and hope at the gracious Rule of Jesus Christ on earth, firmly aware of the brokenness within which we live and build, suffer, expect, laugh and cry. Redemptive artistry will be bearing fresh olive leaves.” (112).

With that said, here is what I believe redemptive artistry accomplishes in the world today:

1. Imagines the kingdom of God through nuance

2. Rebukes injustice, summons obedience

3. Stories a nation's imagination

4. Binds wounds, gives allusive riches to poor saints

5. Lures the senses to Jesus

Which one is your sweet spot?

956 Charro

956 Charro (gouache, 8X8)

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I find painting to be challenging. Though I studied it for many years, merging multiple disciplines (color theory, values, color temperature, medium nuances, etc.) is incredibly difficult. Good painters are excellent for a reason.

Sometimes, people are more natural at it than others. But, all need practice. No tree produces fruit without nourishment over time!

I always gravitated toward graphite drawings. I found safety in drawing black and white hyperrealism. But I grew stale over years of compounding, what felt like, the same drawing over and over again.

During the pandemic, I made a choice to relearn and repractice color theory. I knew I wanted to work within limitations:

• Paint small paintings: to force me to paint the big picture and not get stuck in details.

• Post everything I paint: to get over my struggle with perfectionism.

This resulted in painting being a joyful learning experience. It has opened up new doors to exploration. And the fact that I have gotten to do this alongside my family has been an incredible blessing.

With that, here are a few snippets of my process behind my gouache 8X8 of 956 Charro.

First, I had this idea of painting something from Brownsville’s Charro Days. This annual celebration is too good not to represent in paint form. Everything from the colors, dress, decor, and food spark local unity between Brownsville and Matamoros.

I asked my friend, Daniela Loera Gonzalez (owner of Border Creative Co.), if I could paint her wonderful photo of this charro. She was gracious enough to grant permission.

I didn’t really know the direction this would go but I first needed to get values on after my initial sketch. I call this the “poo-poo” phase. As you can see…it looks as such. For all the years I’ve been an artist, this is the phase I call it quits on a piece. It is easy to understand why!

The poo-poo phase lasts, for me, about 60-70% of the painting process. This is why art-making takes resilience. You’ve got to push through the poop.

There we go. This is looking a little better. I still felt the colors needed some harmony. In Daniela’s photo, I love how those reds pop out from the horse’s straps and saddle as well as its textured fur. Time to bust out my handy color mixing guide…

In order to make the reds pop, I painted the background a blue-green color. Let’s see what that does.

There we have it. After that 60-70% hump, its time for some details. And there you have it. Now, let’s keep practicing!

The 95% Rule

We’ve missed people’s hearts at the cost of precision (getting our words accurate).

What if we assumed we don’t know 95% of what people (even our closest family members) intend when it comes to the use of their words.

What if our response were characterized by restraint rather than reaction, with a focus on patiently seeking understanding? And upon what we believe to understand, what if we then asked twenty more questions?

Commended Laborers: Others

The “lone ranger” concept is foreign in the New Testament. One last qualifier for anyone in ministry is the validation of other believers.

Before we learn of Barnabas, the minister, we understand his reputation, character, sacrifice, and personality. Luke initially introduces him, not as Barnabas, but as “Joseph” in Acts 4:36-37. No need to learn Greek here as Luke tells us “Barnabas” translates as Son of Encouragement (Acts 4:36). The apostles referred to him by this name, expressing their opinion of him.

Following Paul’s conversion, many of the disciples feared him but Barnabas vouched for him (Acts 9:26-27). Although Christ set Paul apart for the mission at his conversion, it wasn’t until he was already a leader in the church at Antioch the Spirit said, “Go” (Acts 13:1-3).

In Lystra and Iconium, the brothers spoke well of Timothy (Acts 16:2).

Similarly, Paul vouched for Epaphroditus to the Philippians (Philippians 2:25-30).

Paul considered Titus trustworthy enough to oversee the order of all the churches on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5).

The apostles, elders, and entire Jerusalem church chose Silas, recognized both as a leader among the brothers and as a prophet, to accompany Barnabas in delivering their letter to the Gentiles in Antioch (Acts 15:22-23, 32). Also of a commendable nature, was the fact that Paul chose Silas to join him once he and Barnabas parted ways (Acts 15:39-40).

Before Philip’s evangelizing and Stephen’s preaching and martyrdom, the church recognized them, along with Prochrous, Nicanor, Nimon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, as “men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” The whole company of disciples in Jerusalem appointed them to serve as deacons (Acts 6:3).

For a church of 3,000 people (and growing daily by God) (Acts 2:41, 47), the character of these seven men must have stood out.

For a church of 3,000 people (and growing daily by God) (Acts 2:41, 47), the character of these seven men must have stood out.

This pattern of commending is repeatedly observed. None of these individuals commended themselves; rather, it was God working through both them and the church that guided them into more specific missions.

In today’s ministry landscape, the world needs seasoned disciple-makers to train those with less experience. Affirmation from others, especially during hardships, becomes crucial for ministry leaders, who serve as visible pictures of God's commendation and assurance of His enduring presence.

One way To Make Mic drop Culture

One way to get a “mic drop” culture is from sticks-and-stones-may-break-my-bones-but-words-will-never-hurt-me slogans.

Beauty for the Collective and individual

I listened to a Chinese-American describe his joy upon discovering his innate talents and skills, distinct from his national heritage. Coming from a collectivistic background, where one’s value is measured according to their group, he struggled to see his unique purpose.

On the other hand, the individualist, born into a group where one’s value is achieved, not ascribed, might struggle with the opposite challenge. Surrounded by messages of “find your own path!,” or “if you just follow your dreams…,” this inward focus becomes white noise on the journey towards discovering one’s purpose.

Might both perspectives be true?

Perhaps it is more like a cycle. What if the individualist needs more encouragement to define their gifts in relation to their usefulness for others? Likewise, for the collectivist, maybe a joyful splash of “how did God uniquely wire you?” could be beneficial.

God did endow each of us with specific good works AND, at the same time, placed us in communities who need the gifts, talents, and skills we have.

So, which purposeful nudge could you use more of today: discover more of yourself or discover more of your group’s needs?

Alaska Hospitality

Alaskan Boat, Gouache 8X8

Alaska had always been a dream-like place to me—one of those locations TV shows make out to be some beautiful, exotic, and mysterious another-world. Of course visiting would be another story.

Nothing could prepare me for the onslaught of wonder.

Having a middle airplane seat meant the window-seated folk looking out blocked all possible opportunities to see. So, I waited.

The plane’s steps rolled out like a red carpet to creation.

The next few weeks fulfilled above and beyond TV’s shadow-vision of the state.

And yet, an even greater picture hide in the depths of the beautiful scenery: the gesture of hospitality.

One such gesture was offered by friends and co-laborers of our ministry. They welcomed us onto their boat for a day of pod laying, followed by a crab-feast. God was good to gift us with a sunny, hoodie, weather. And God’s followers were kind enough to feed both our tummys and our souls.

This painting is my thank offering to God and friends.

Sidenote: this AI image to video is insane…

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Commended Laborers: Fruit and Character

Fruit and Character Commend a Christian for Service

There are a couple of other qualities that are important in all levels of ministry: fruit and character. What I mean by this is if someone is wanting to be in something like full-time missionary work, there ought to already be evidence of fruit and character in their life and work.

Fruit in Others

Fruit becomes evident when prospective ministers or missionaries have actively engaged, even to a limited extent, in disciple-making efforts, bearing tangible results among those they've worked with. In Paul's case, the Corinthians served as living testimonials, akin to letters of recommendation (2 Cor. 3:1-3). They stood as proof of his suitability for missionary endeavors, emphasizing his credentials in the field.

How Suffering is Handled

Towards the beginning of 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Paul points out, “as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way...” He then proceeds to provide a detailed account of afflictions his team experienced. However, there was intent behind listing these trials: it bolstered their ministry. By enduring suffering for the gospel, they mirrored Christ's servant-like qualities, thereby bolstering the credibility of their work among the Corinthians. Their ability to handle suffering effectively set them apart from deceptive leaders in Corinth, making these genuine ministers of the Gospel truly commendable.

Life is Consistent with the Message

Continuing in 2 Corinthians, as Paul is describing why they do not lose heart with ministry under the New Covenant, he contrasts his team’s work with the life and work of those who adulterate the word of God (4:2). Genuine ministry workers showcase commendable conduct, devoid of deceit, by embodying truth both in their lives and their message. The life of a prospective mission worker should mirror the very proclamation they articulate.