Event Content

Introduction

Since joining CCST Vancouver, I have been deeply impressed by the incredible talents and diverse backgrounds our students bring to the learning community, many of whom possess remarkable artistic gifts. This online art exhibition serves as a platform for our students to share their artwork and the insights behind their creative processes. While not all participants are “professional” artists, their work is united by a common thread: art has profoundly deepened their spiritual lives, inspired their daily living, and enriched their personal growth.

The nine students who participated in this exhibition each offer something unique. Their artwork reflects their understanding of self, their perception of God, and their encounters with Jesus Christ. As I read their reflections and viewed their art creations, I was struck by the theological narrative that emerged: from the story of creation and the exploration of human nature and self-identity, to the expression of God’s grace at work in a fallen world, from vivid depictions of Gospel stories to personal life journeys intricately intertwined with artistic expression. These works not only convey the artists’ hearts but also speak life and hope to their audiences.

I am especially excited and deeply grateful to Rev. Dr. Samuel Ho, a long-time friend and renowned artist-theologian, for guiding us on this remarkable journey of artful living and theological reflection. Through public lectures, art retreats, and course teaching, he has enriched our understanding of how faith and creativity intersect.

It is our hope that the fruits of our students’ labor—works that embody Christian faith—will inspire and bring the message of hope to both our community and the wider world.
 

Rev. Dr. Joyce Chan
Principal of CCST Vancouver 

Preface to the CCST Vancouver Theological Art Online Exhibition (I) 

Modern Western culture is rooted in Christian faith. Biblical stories and truths have inspired countless Western writers, musicians, and artists in their creations. Regarding creativity, more conservative individuals may feel unfamiliar or even fearful, as people generally tend to live within their comfort zones, considering a stable life quite ideal, without thinking much about creative pursuits. Especially when living in unfamiliar environments, even adapting to the culture becomes an issue, leaving little room to discuss creativity. Immigrant churches, established and growing in foreign lands, naturally hold onto their homeland's belief system and culture, fearing any compromise to the integrity of truth, and thus not daring to take even a small step beyond in expressing their faith.

In today's "post-truth" and "post-Christian" era, public opinion is not based on objective facts, but on personal feelings and beliefs. The "post-modern post-truth era" thought is rooted in various skeptical philosophies, doubting God's existence, the Bible's authenticity and historicity, and thus its authority, as well as the value of life. This leads to superficial reforms, seeking meaning beyond all authority. After all, "post-truth" hasn't changed the dogmatism of "modernism," thus remaining in formalism without reaching deeper truths. This trend has swept through churches, creating a new generation of spiritual culture that we need to reflect upon, especially in music melodies and lyrics, where images and metaphors reflecting God and faith life revolve around four categories: emphasizing happiness and intimacy, pursuing novelty and immediacy, exalting charisma and fashion, and stressing personal will and even romanticism.

Last winter, a group of brothers and sisters who love combining Christian faith with art completed my master's course "Vision of the Sublime: From Art to Spirituality" at CCST Vancouver. They created unique artworks, each with its own character, but consistently expressing their faith journeys, reflections, experiences, and using their works to convey gospel messages, comfort the wounded, and heal broken spirits. This exhibition showcases diverse works: flower arrangements, narrative photography, Lego sculpture installations, paintings of faith experiences, deep life reflections in knitting, faith-perspective altered image paintings, self-farewell ceremony song creations (with solo performances), anime-style series of Bible truth breakdown illustrations, and uniquely insightful poetry.

What role does "art" play in Christian life? Is art merely considered an inferior product leading people into the secular world? We shouldn't view it this way, because various artistic expressions, like different languages and expressions, can be used to praise the Lord. They are languages beyond words and speech, better able to reveal the mysterious beauty and works of the Lord. We can accept praising the Lord with poems, hymns, and spiritual songs, and also adopt modern music and modern vernacular poetry to write hymns. Similarly, can modern sculpture, drama, dance, painting, installation, and calligraphy play their respective roles in our lives? If we pay more attention to different types of artworks in our lives, it will enhance our life experiences and help gospel truths take root in our lives, preventing the fragmentation of our whole-person faith and the disconnection of body, mind, and spirit! 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ." (Colossians 1:28)

Rev. Dr. Samuel Ho, Ph.D., D.T.S., Th.D., Ph.D., D.Min.
Adjunct Professor at CCST Vancouver, Instructor of THEO47 Vision of the Sublime: Art & Spirituality, FALL 2024

Preface to the CCST Vancouver Theological Art Online Exhibition (II) 

"Truth, Goodness, and Beauty" embody humanity's highest aspirations for existence. Christians place particular emphasis on Truth and Goodness, passing on biblical truth through systematic theology and ethics, and applying it to principles of a virtuous life. Yet, the essence of Truth and the order of Goodness are often revealed in the form of Beauty.

We can observe that the world does not exist in a "minimalist" state, merely fulfilling the most basic survival needs of life. Instead, we are amazed by the beauty displayed in creation and the unimaginable harmony among all things, which can even be described as the ultimate "glory of beauty."

If we believe that God created all things, we can also accept that the beauty of creation reflects the glory of the Triune God. Before departing from the world, the Son prayed: “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). The glory shared by the Triune God before the foundation of the world surely represents the original manifestation of Truth and Goodness in the divine life’s perfect communion (perichoresis).

Christian artistic creation, to some extent, imitates God's creative work in an act of "re-creation." It seeks to re-present the Truth and Goodness of life given by God through various forms. At the same time, these artistic creations serve as mediating platforms, allowing viewers to enter into an exchange of life in Truth and Goodness through the hermeneutical engagement.

Rev. Dr. Edwin Lee, Ph.D., Th.M., M.Div., M.A. Sc.
Academic Dean at CCST Vancouver and Professor of Theology