"This is a little book composed of two essays, the first looking at various forms of art in Scripture, and the second proposing a Christian view of art. A wonderful treatment of the value of beauty created by humans, who have ourselves been created in the image of the God who also created beauty.

The first essay is very straightforward and an easy read; the second is a little more dense and academic, with references to schools of art and philosophy, as well as prominent figures in them. You can get a fair amount out of it without being familiar with all of those things, but someone who has studied modern philosophy to some extent, or who takes the time to look up unfamiliar concepts and people and works of art, will get more out of it.

Content considerations: Draws distinctions between God-honoring art and that which is base, including the “pornographic� (first essay). References a painting by Picasso that is inspired by a brothel and, if looked up, features stylized nudes (second essay).

The first essay could probably be appreciated by mature middle school and up; the second, because of the depth of ideas and possible content concern, probably for upper high school and adults."

"This is a very short, sweet, but concisely written book that will not demand too much time from you, while also gifting you with wise insight into the association of Christianity and the Arts.
This book is largely divided into two sections: in the first, Schaeffer explores in specific detail the biblical commandment for art, examining moments in the Old Testament where art was created for the glorification of God. He makes an important point here that this biblical art was not merely "religious" art. God did not only command his creation to create heavenly or angelic art (the cherubim), but also to create art representational of the natural and material (oxen, lions, pomegranates, lilies). In this first section he provides substantial evidence and reasoning why Christians, who are artistically inspired, ought to create art. In the second half, Schaeffer relates these truths into our modern day, and what this charge as Christians to create beautiful art means in our practical lives. He explores the importance of being able to reveal Christ's glory through modern means, freeing us from a legalistic view on art. As Christian's we are alive, which means we are always changing (continually being sanctified), and art, as a living medium, also always changes, and is individualized to the person or subculture it grew out of. Schaeffer writes,
"Christian art should differ from country to country. Why did we ever force the Africans to use Gothic architecture? It's a meaningless exercise. All we succeeded in doing was making Christianity foreign to the African."
And I think, principally, that this idea is what art should be doing. Art, through its intrinsic power, invested by the Great Artist himself, ought to, through any form, style, apparatus, or genre, make Christ intimate, not foreign, to the viewer. An artist does not need to sit around drawing images of Jesus walking on a beach all day long to do this--they simply need to pursue truth and beauty, and allow God's nature as Creator to indwell within them as little creators.
Ultimately, as short as this book was, I felt that Schaeffer used every word to great advantage, and articulated many critical points in regards to the reality of art, and its importance to God."

"I haven’t even opened this book yet, but it’s already screaming five stars. Why? Because my Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend’s dad wrote it, and that’s all the endorsement I need.
I’m diving in ASAP, and if you don’t, I’ll have to silently judge your reading choices. Just kidding� but not really. Go check it out before I start sending you daily reminders."