I Like Mary Too!

My church is a Christian Reformed one (a.k.a. Protestant). We don’t have big paintings of Jesus or anyone for that matter, hanging on the walls, however it is not flavorless. We have centerpieces, beautiful drapery, and some really neat stained glass to decorate our church as a loving house of God. We’re not bland, and I don’t know what the Professor was talking about when he said Protestants have a problem with Mary because I’ve never experienced that ( Dear Professor, please don’t be mad at me for quoting you on that). I can definitely see how some churches might go overboard or under board on the subject of art in church, but in my opinion, it’s all personal and kind of a petty argument to get into. As long as we all believe that Jesus is Lord of Lords and rose from the dead to save us then why are we arguing? Why are we fighting and dividing ourselves over this? In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes to the church in Corinth “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought”.

                            A girl named Akiane Kramarik painted this of Mary and Jesus when she was only 12!

Do I think Christians need art? Yes! I’m a Christian, I need art. Do I think all churches need art in order to serve and experience God fully? No. I love my church even though it doesn’t have beautiful paintings; I get the message through the sermon, reading God’s Holy Word, and feeling Him in the atmosphere of his worshippers. When I go to church, I go to focus on God alone, not artwork, but some people experience God through art work and that’s fine too. My only concern is again, with divisions; people focusing just on the art and not the message or vice versa. It’s just not worth arguing over. We should all be united under Jesus Christ who saved us and doing His work, not arguing over whether paintings should be hung on walls or put in storybooks or even how accurate they look. I don't care what Jesus looks like as long as I get to walk in His company one day. 

 The Church is the Bride of Christ, so lets not argue anymore