S Talmond Brown

The Shadow of Beauty S Talmond Brown

There is a shadow of enduring beauty that abides over every free and just society, like the shadow of God's presence over the children of Israel in the wilderness. It is a shadow of mercy that shields us from the searing light of revelation that would blind us if we beheld it unprepared. It is this shadow of beauty that allows humanity to progress from light to greater light with ever increasing clarity. This ministry of shadows is found in nature, in the life of humanity, in the sacraments, and in Art. Art is the essence of culture just as a face is the essence of personal identity. A just culture may be found in books by diligent seekers, but without the arts, civility will not be long preserved among the people. Art should be considered a spiritual ministry that should be studied, nurtured and influenced by the church. Christian artists should understand the weighty responsibilities of their calling and the Church must understand the great importance of art as a divinely appointed ministry.