Beauty

Aesthetics: A Christian Philosophy of Art (3/3)

November 12, 2020 Mark Stanley Podcast Comments Off on Aesthetics: A Christian Philosophy of Art (3/3)

What is the difference between art and propaganda? What makes some painters better than others? A Christian philosophy of art is desperately needed in our ugly and twisted culture. Francis Schaeffer, the Christian thinker of the 20th century, has valuable insights on how to judge art, as well as practical advise for art appreciation and Christian artists today. In this final installment, we bring together the final pieces of a Christian philosophy of art.

Aesthetics: C. S. Lewis on Judging & Enjoying Art (2/3)

October 8, 2020 Mark Stanley Podcast Comments Off on Aesthetics: C. S. Lewis on Judging & Enjoying Art (2/3)

In his book, An Experiment in Criticism (1961), C. S. Lewis suggests that instead of judging a book by how it was written, we should judge it on the kind of reading it inspires. If readers are deepened, continually drawn back to the work, only to find they love it more and more, then it is a good book. If not, then it is merely a book fit for entertainment, not a true piece of art. On Lewis’ view, beauty is transcendent, but art is personal. But what is Lewis’ view on the role that art fills in our lives? Is art something which helps develop us, or merely provide a kind of escape?

Beauty in The Picture of Dorian Gray

September 24, 2020 Abby Petree Literature Comments Off on Beauty in The Picture of Dorian Gray

Humans have always been drawn to beauty. Of course, beauty standards change all the time. What one culture considers beautiful, another might consider ugly. What our own culture considered beautiful 200 years ago, or even 50, isn’t beautiful to us anymore. But that hasn’t changed the fact that we love to look at beautiful things, and even more than that, we wish to be beautiful ourselves.

Aesthetics: Art, Beauty, and the Good Life (1/3)

September 10, 2020 Mark Stanley Podcast Comments Off on Aesthetics: Art, Beauty, and the Good Life (1/3)

If The Odyssey is so good that it is still in print after thousands of years, don’t you think it might be worth a read? If Bach is still treasured 250 years after his death, would you consider that there is something you’re missing? The question of art and beauty is not abstract and philosophical, it immediately concerns what it means to live a good life and enjoy the best possible experiences. The postmodern axiom, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, turns out to threaten your happiness! The Christian impulse, which sees beauty in the universe, grounded in the nature of God, once again matches our deepest intuitions and our critical conclusions about art, beauty and the good life.

An Invitation to Classical Music

October 13, 2019 David Stanley General Comments Off on An Invitation to Classical Music

Music can be so much more than background noise. The highest quality of rich and deep music will bring the highest quality of rich and deep enjoyment. This is an invitation to classical music, and a suggestion of where you could begin your journey in one of the most profound expressions of human brilliance and emotion.

The Beauty of Christianity

August 29, 2019 Mark Stanley Podcast Comments Off on The Beauty of Christianity

John Donne’s (1572-1631) poem The Bait is a poem about the winsome appeal of Jesus Christ, his teachings, message and life. Here at Well Read Christian we take the truth of Christianity’s attractive nature to heart, and even though arguments and critical thinking are essential, there is a beauty to the Christian viewpoint that advocates sometimes forget. We would like to share with you our vision––and the poem––in this episode.

Why Read Classic Literature?

June 17, 2019 Mark Stanley Literature Comments Off on Why Read Classic Literature?

Most people today live complex lives. Who has time to read? More than that, who has time to read old books? If such few people can be convinced to read any book at all, how could anybody be convinced to read Anna Karenina or The Grapes of Wrath? Let me offer you a brief overview of the reasons why Great Books are timeless classics that you ought to read and cherish today––from the very voices of C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) and Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586).

Is Christianity A Reasonable Worldview?

May 14, 2019 Mark Stanley Christianity, Philosophy, Worldview Comments Off on Is Christianity A Reasonable Worldview?

With so many religions in the world and secular scientism dominating the academy, it seems to many people that a serious belief in a single (especially religious) worldview is naive, narrow minded, and obviously preposterous. So the question stands, is Christianity a reasonable worldview for the 21st century?