An exploration of the flourishing Artist Christian

The modern romantic ideal of the artist is the eccentric genius; a loner, an outcast, different from everyone else. And this has some basis in reality; artists often do see the world differently than their next-door neighbors.

But for a Christian artist, even acknowledging the latter, eccentric genius can't be the goal--because he isn't exempted from the call to love his neighbor, or to be a fruitful member of the Body of Christ. So what is a Christian artist to do?

In this series, the Anselm Society (across all its podcasts, blogs, and events) will explore an alternative vision: the rooted and grounded, or centric, genius. We'll encounter story after story of artists (living and dead) whose work was rooted in strong relationships and support systems; unpack different frameworks for seeing the world and understanding our place in it; and glimpse a vision of a new normal: one where everyone has a place in God's Kingdom and where thriving as an artist and thriving as a person coexist.

 

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Explore the Whole Series

Filtered lists by podcast and content type further down…

On the Redeemed Imagination Podcast

Click here to learn more about this and our other podcasts.

Podcast Series
Tolkien, the Centric Genius (S2 E7)
Tolkien, the Centric Genius (S2 E7)

An interactive interview with Holly Ordway.

Inviting Artists into Church (S2 E6)
Inviting Artists into Church (S2 E6)

What happened when Pastor Kevin Boaz invited a member of his congregation (Amy Lee) to read an original story on Sunday morning.

Jonathan Pageau: Creating for Others (S2 E5)
Jonathan Pageau: Creating for Others (S2 E5)

With iconographer Jonathan Pageau: how can we be people who are defined by seeking magic and meaning even in tough times? How can we build creative practices and communal rhythms that foster such a perspective?

Lancia Smith: Cultivating Centric Artists (S2 E4)
Lancia Smith: Cultivating Centric Artists (S2 E4)

In our continuing series discussing the unique call of the Christian artist ("centric genius"), Brian interviews Lancia Smith about her work with The Cultivating Project.

John Skillen: Who Makes the Art Work? (S2 E3)
John Skillen: Who Makes the Art Work? (S2 E3)

In our continuing series discussing the unique call of the Christian artist ("centric genius"), Brian talks with John Skillen about the ways in which the church used to create art together...and just maybe, how it can do so again.

Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 2 (S2 E2)
Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 2 (S2 E2)

Do artists have to give up being “weirdos?”

Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 1 (S2 E1)
Discussion: The Centric Genius, Part 1 (S2 E1)

In which Brian, Heidi, and Lancia summarize the concept of the "centric genius" and discuss its implications for both artists and churches.

Series Introduction: The Centric Genius
Series Introduction: The Centric Genius

A vision for a new kind of Christian artist.

 

Digging Deeper

Articles, music, lectures, and bonus podcasts.

Articles
Art in the Church: Start Where You Are
Art in the Church: Start Where You Are

Mandy Houk shares five ways to bridge the arts/church rift beginning this Sunday.

Amy Lee on Dueling Inner Artists: One of them Must Die
Amy Lee on Dueling Inner Artists: One of them Must Die

Will it be the sexy writer in a beret seeking recognition? Or the subcreator under the command of Christ?

Lavinia Fontana: A Renaissance Artist Fairy Tale
Lavinia Fontana: A Renaissance Artist Fairy Tale

Community & church launch the painting career of an ordinary woman.

Louisa May Alcott: Eccentric Artist or Centric Genius?
Louisa May Alcott: Eccentric Artist or Centric Genius?

Sorting out the writer of seedy pulp fiction and wholesome children’s stories.

Michael Minkoff: Healing the Artist/Church Rift
Michael Minkoff: Healing the Artist/Church Rift

How do we beautify the church and sanctify her artists?

Liz Horst: Discovering Your Creative Voice
Liz Horst: Discovering Your Creative Voice

Wisdom derived from John Keats and T.S. Eliot guide the 21st century artist.

Georges Rouault: Seeing Through the Darkness
Georges Rouault: Seeing Through the Darkness

A renewal of faith leads an artist to paint the suffering of the marginalized—and discover the hope of salvation.

Ryan Flanigan: Art & Music from the Soul
Ryan Flanigan: Art & Music from the Soul

Making music and art from rebellion, order, the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.

Why Artists Aren't Exempt from the Body of Christ
Why Artists Aren't Exempt from the Body of Christ

Whether the body of Christ suffers or rejoices, the connected artist gifts her audience with the expression of experience.

Madeleine L'Engle: The Prayer & Work of Art
Madeleine L'Engle: The Prayer & Work of Art

What is at the center of art, and how do we get there?

Love Thy Neighbor, the Artist
Love Thy Neighbor, the Artist

Thoughts distilled from Hans Rookmaaker and G. K. Chesterton.

Jeromie Rand: Integrating Faith & Craft
Jeromie Rand: Integrating Faith & Craft

Jeromie Rand shares how loving God through your craft can unleash the full potential of who you were made to be.

Creating as a Gift of Love
Creating as a Gift of Love

The Green Ember author S.D. Smith shares how love of others shapes his writing.

You Belong in this Story
You Belong in this Story

Matthew Clark: As humans, we are called to be co-storytellers with God.

Rooted in the Ordinary & Extraordinary
Rooted in the Ordinary & Extraordinary

Refresh your spirit with guitarist, Isaac Horn, and mandolinist, Lincoln Mick, as they sing of brokenness, roots, and redemption—the ordinary life transformed by the extraordinary.