The Grace to Express Divine Beauty.
“God not only gave humans the capacity to perceive, but also the ability to express what they see and feel in response to beauty.”
– Rev. Ivan Kristiono
The Source of Beauty: A God Who Is Beautiful and Good
In Scripture, when God reveals Himself, He appears in majesty, holiness, and beauty. When God creates, He does not merely create for function, but with beauty and goodness. Trees of various shapes and colors, flowers with diverse fragrances—God created them beautifully and well, and He made humans capable of perceiving beauty. As Plato once said, the human soul is moved to love what is beautiful and good. (kalos kai agathon).
Art and Science: Two Ways of Relating to Creation
In human life, there are two primary approaches to relating with creation: the scientific mode and the artistic mode. Both are gifts from God, yet each has its own character and purpose. They should not replace one another, nor be regarded as superior to the other.
1. The Scientific Mode
This mode is an analytical and technological approach, where humans seek to understand creation by dissecting, categorizing, and identifying rational patterns behind it. The main goal of this approach is to master and manage nature for the sake of efficiency and utility.
Examples, include scientific research, technology design, and the use of systematic logic in understanding the world."
- Jacques Ellul, A Christian sociologist warns about the danger when this approach becomes our only way of viewing the world. He calls it a threat ‘techne’, That is the reduction of reality to merely efficiency and productivity.
- Jürgen Habermas It also voices criticism against the tendency of modernity to make instrumental reason the sole standard. It means that everything is measured solely by its usefulness and outcomes.
2. Artistic Mode
Conversely, the artistic mode is a contemplative and expressive approach. Through art, humans enjoy creation, celebrate beauty, and even mourn the brokenness of the world.
Art does not always aim to provide solutions, but rather invites us to pause, look deeper, and respond to creation with feeling, imagination, and sensitivity of the heart.
Art also enables humans to:
- Express awe at God’s creation,
- Channel sorrow over injustice and suffering,
- Communicate hope and beauty creatively to others.
3. Both are valid and not interchangeable.
The scientific and artistic modes are not opposing poles, but rather two complementary ways to understand and respond to creation.
- Science helps us understand “how” the world works,
- While art invites us to reflect on “why” this world is so beautiful and meaningful.
The artistic approach awakens feelings, fosters empathy, and enriches human spiritual experience, while the scientific approach leads us to mastery of technology and practical life solutions.
"In the light of the Christian faith, both are gifts from God that invite us to know and relate to His creation fully — with both reason and feeling, logic and beauty."
Art is a Gift, Not Elitism
Art is not the exclusive domain of those considered “gifted.” On the contrary, art is a gift from God to all humanity. God created humans with the capacity to perceive and express beauty, which means every person has the potential for artistry.
Sekolah Kristen Calvin (SKC) believes that art is an essential part of humanity, not just the achievement of a select few. Therefore, SKC encourages all students to actively participate in artistic activities such as drawing, singing, playing music, dancing, writing poetry, and more. This is an inclusive approach that recognizes art as part of the human calling, created in the image of the beautiful God.
Critique of Artistic Elitism
This article also raises a critique of elitist views on art. One example is Marcel Duchamp with his controversial work The Fountain (Urinal). Through this piece, Duchamp challenged the exclusivity of the art world, which had long been considered limited to expensive works displayed in museums. He brought everyday objects into the exhibition space to show that art can exist in any form and context.
"This message aligns with Christian values that appreciate every expression of beauty, not only those deemed "high" by popular culture or the celebrity industry standards."
Implementation at SKC:
SKC realizes this value by creating an inclusive space for all students, not just those considered to have "artistic talent." Art activities at SKC are participatory rather than merely competitive. Thus, every student can develop their humanity holistically — body, soul, and spirit — including in expressing beauty, joy, or life struggles through art.
Technique & Feeling – Two Pillars of Art Education at SKC
At Sekolah Kristen Calvin (SKC), art education focuses not only on technical aspects but also on cultivating sensitivity. This means students are not merely taught how to hold a pencil or brush, singing techniques, shading techniques, and so forth — but are also encouraged to develop their sensitivity toward beauty and the realities of life.
Technique is important, but art is not merely about hand or vocal skills. Behind each brushstroke or musical note, there is a refined sense — a sensitivity to emotion, social situations, justice, and goodness. Therefore, SKC emphasizes that art education also includes emotional and spiritual dimensions, such as:
- Sensitivity to the beauty and brokenness of creation
- Empathy toward the suffering and joy of others
- Aesthetics in appreciating and responding to the world with reverence"
Art as a Shaper of Leadership Character
Art becomes a tool for character formation in Christian education. Through artistic practice, students learn to become more whole human beings — not only intelligent, but also sensitive. This ability is crucial for future leaders, whether in the family, community, or nation
“Through the practice of emotional sensitivity, students are also expected to develop the ability to feel — whether as future leaders, members of society, or heads of families.” – Ivan Kristiono
Thus, art is not merely a medium of expression, but also a medium for shaping the heart and values, enabling students to see the world not only with logic, but also with love and hope.
Art: The Language of Imagination to Share Goodness and Truth
In the Christian perspective, art is not merely self-expression, but also a form of communication — a way to share the heart filled with God’s Word and the experience of His presence in life. Art conveys messages not through logical arguments, but through imagination, emotion, and symbolic forms that touch the heart.
As stated in the article: "An artist is a sharer of beauty. They see, frame, present, and share the experience of beauty that moves them.”
Art as an Effective Means of Communication:
Art has a powerful influence because it speaks directly to the imaginative dimension of humans. Throughout history, we see that struggle songs like Indonesia Raya not only ignite spirit but also unite the nation, even more deeply than formal speeches. Likewise, poetry, film, drama, and novels become powerful and enduring means of communicating values.
Christian artists as bearers of the Gospel message:
In the light of Christian faith, artists are called to share what is good, beautiful, and true. Whether through joy over the wonder of creation or through sadness and anger toward injustice, a Christian artist processes these feelings and shares them with others as part of their testimony of life.
Art becomes a prophetic and pastoral medium:
- Prophetic, when it criticizes evil and injustice.
- Pastoral, when comforting and strengthening others.
“An artist is a sharer of beauty.”
“When a Christian sees something amazing, beautiful, astonishing, and good, they share it through art.”
Let’s Celebrate the Gift of Art together with SKC