Five Redemptive Artist Archetypes
Let's assume artists possessed the Ephesians 4 APEST-type gifts. Here is how I believe we can discover a redemptive persona of them each:
Sons of Issachar: this apostolic artist type is a catalyst or blueprint maker. The Beatles, Walt Disney, or Lin Manuel Miranda all have this one thing in common: they are incredibly innovative, paving new artistic nuances that did not yet exist within a society. Just as the Sons of Issachar “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32), so these artists have an intuitive sense for what needs to be put in the world, even when no one else does.
Naked Isaiah: In Isaiah 20:1-4, we see Isaiah the prophet naked…for three years! Isaiah “performed” such a sign as a message from God to the people of Egypt and Cush. Egypt would suffer the same fate at the hands of Assyria’s king. The artistic archetype fears no evil. They care about God’s heart to such a degree that social cues fade into the distance. As an embodiment of the prophetic wiring, they are not afraid to use their craft (in the totality of communication) for the sake of truth.
The Woman at the Well: The woman at the well is like the Johnny Cash or Normal Rockwell of the artworld. She’s a story teller. She has been so moved by Jesus that she’s compelled to tell others as excitedly and wonderfully as she can. She’s unashamed. She makes it so that Jesus is accessible for any who will heed her ear. This artist is not afraid. They’re bold, yet subtle. They’re committed to doing what it takes to make the beauty of the kingdom meaningful. These are evangelistically-minded artists.
David the Soother: In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, Saul is haunted by an evil spirit. David the harp player is brought in and brings a soothing refreshment to Saul, the king. His artistry heals. The evil spirit departs from Saul. The beauty of David’s sound waves refresh the king. So it is for the shepherd type of artists. These are the Mr. Rogers of the artworld. The Van Gogh’s in whose art many find a resonance for their chaos.
Habakkuk & Bezalel: These are those artists who have such vision for God’s beauty, yet translate it in ways to contextualize and inform the learners. Such artists are endowed with craftsmanship alongside a spirit of wisdom (Exodus 28:3). They possess a heart for others to learn the ways of God in all its totality. Such artists understand their craft is particularly suited to shine the light of the kingdom for others.
Not all artists are created equal and not all artists will squeeze into one of the archetypes. But this provides a helpful starting point for artists to see how God may have perhaps prepared particular good works for them which differ from their other Christian artist types.
