On this episode of the Renew the Arts podcast, your hosts Justus and Michael will take you on a bracing conversational journey into what might seem at first like a strange topic—why the church should make more ugly art. What exactly do they mean by “ugly art”? And why is it so crucial to the church’s witness and ministry to unbelievers and believers alike?

Ezekiel 23 is the very ugly passage Michael quoted. You can read several translations here: http://biblehub.com/ezekiel/23.htm

The end of the episode features “Baseball Diamond,” (https://thenormalknees.bandcamp.com/track/baseball-diamond) by The Normal Knees (https://thenormalknees.bandcamp.com/), a journal-like artistic entry into the ugliness and destructive consequences of our self-justifying sin nature.

With the passing of Billy Graham, who is going to reach the next generation with the Gospel? It’s probably not who you think. In fact, it might not even be one person at all. In this episode of the Renew the Arts podcast, Justus leads the way in a discussion of the changing landscape of Gospel missions in this media-saturated age. Stay tuned at the end for “Who Will Speak?,” (https://brocksfolly.bandcamp.com/track/who-will-speak) a song by Brock’s Folly (https://brocksfolly.bandcamp.com/) from their album, “The Great Commoner.” (https://renewthearts.org/projects/#post-807)

With the passing of Billy Graham, who is going to reach the next generation with the Gospel? It’s probably not who you think. In fact, it might not even be one person at all. In this episode of the Renew the Arts podcast, Justus leads the way in a discussion of the changing landscape of Gospel missions in this media-saturated age. Stay tuned at the end for “Who Will Speak?,” (https://brocksfolly.bandcamp.com/track/who-will-speak) a song by Brock’s Folly (https://brocksfolly.bandcamp.com/) from their album, “The Great Commoner.” (http://renewthearts.org/projects/#post-807)

Can art preach? Should it?

For their first episode, Michael and Justus discuss the two biggest lies Christians believe about the arts: First, that all art by Christians must present the gospel. Secondly, that no art can present the gospel.

Included at the end of this podcast is the song “Back Where You Belong,” (https://anthonyquails.bandcamp.com/track/back-where-you-belong) from the album “Before the Bright Lights” (https://anthonyquails.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-bright-lights) by Anthony Quails. This is an album that we sponsored and funded (https://renewthearts.org/projects/#post-840), and we think it illustrates the ability of music to present the truth. Being about the story of Hosea, it’s a song about a person acting out a picture of the church. So we thought it appropriate for this subject.

Can art preach? Should it?

For their first episode, Michael and Justus discuss the two biggest lies Christians believe about the arts: First, that all art by Christians must present the gospel. Secondly, that no art can present the gospel.

Included at the end of this podcast is the song “Back Where You Belong,” (https://anthonyquails.bandcamp.com/track/back-where-you-belong) from the album “Before the Bright Lights” (https://anthonyquails.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-bright-lights) by Anthony Quails. This is an album that we sponsored and funded (http://renewthearts.org/projects/#post-840), and we think it illustrates the ability of music to present the truth. Being about the story of Hosea, it’s a song about a person acting out a picture of the church. So we thought it appropriate for this subject.