The God of Beauty

FrontLine | Volume 33 • Number 6

In his book Till We Have Faces C. S. Lewis said, “The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing to find the place where all the beauty came from.” For the Christian there is an internal awareness and an external acknowledgment that all the beauty one experiences in the world reflects the beauty of the one and only transcendent God! This recognition will undoubtedly elicit a response in the affections and will be the ultimate foundation of worship that adorns God accurately. Believers are to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (1 Chron. 16:29; Pss. 29:2; 96:9)!

The intention of this issue of FrontLine magazine is to focus the minds and hearts of the readers on the beauty of God. This reflection on His beauty must not be simply an intellectual activity. The theology of God’s beauty needs to motivate practical decisions of discernment in the aesthetic arena as well as generate significant commitment to God’s command to “approve things that are excellent” (Phil. 1:10). The acceptance by many Christians of inappropriateness and even ugliness in the arts and worship is a direct result of either an ignorance of or a disregard for God in His beauty.

The subject of God’s beauty could never be fully handled even in volumes of books, but these articles may set you on a journey to know and apply God’s beauty in a more real and practical way. The articles are meant to challenge the reader in a philosophical and spiritual way. David de Bruyn begins this issue by defining the beauty of God. Joel Arnold follows with a biblical theology approach, showing how the beauty of God is manifested through the story and themes of the Bible. Throughout church history God’s beauty has been an ongoing theme of serious discussion; David de Bruyn articulates well this progress of thought and theology. A common debate, even among conservative theologians, is the question of the subjectivity of beauty. Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Scott Aniol does a masterful job of answering this question.

The final four articles in this issue are purposefully focused on the practical application of God’s beauty. How does the beauty of God affect our worship? Doug Bachorik addresses the issues of worship and music in his article. How does the beauty of God influence those who are involved in the creative arts? Jonathan Johnson, a pastor who is also an artist, communicates many helpful thoughts and principles for musicians and artists in his article. Michael Riley gives a strong challenge to all believers to develop their senses so that they can approve and appreciate things that are truly beautiful. The final article by Kevin Schaal is a simple application of God’s beauty to a Christian’s identity in Christ.

In the foreword to Jonathan King’s book The Beauty of the Lord: Theology as Aesthetics, Kevin J. Vanhoozer says, “The point of focusing on the beauty of the Lord is to inspire readers to live fittingly at all times and places as followers of Jesus, to the glory of God.” Living in the reality of God’s beauty is what it means to be like Him and to be “changed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Cor. 3:18).

Mark Herbster

Listen to an interview with Mark Herbster about this issue of FrontLine on the Proclaim & Defend podcast.
(You can also find our podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other providers.)

Features

THE MEANING OF BEAUTY
David de Bruyn

Hundreds of attempts have been made at defining beauty, but no single definition has satisfied everyone.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STORY
Joel Arnold

The storyline of Scripture is not only a beautiful tapestry—it is also constantly concerned with the topic of beauty.

THE STORY OF BEAUTY IN CHURCH HISTORY
David de Bruyn

For most believers for 1600 years, beauty was a real, objective quality, existing in God first, and then found in the created world.

IS BEAUTY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER?
Scott Aniol

Beauty is the means through which we come to really know what is true and good.

BEAUTY IN OUR WORSHIP
Doug Bachorik

Beauty in musical worship is a tool for spiritual beauty in our lives.

BEAUTY BY DESIGN
Jonathan Johnson

How can beauty become a practical goal for Christians in their worship and in their work?

THE ART OF APPRECIATING BEAUTY
Michael Riley

It is impossible that Paul’s command to think on “whatsoever things are lovely” means “think about whatever you think is lovely.”

THE BEAUTY OF OUR GOD-GIVEN IDENTITY
Kevin Schaal

Identity conflict is at the core of our present societal and spiritual problems, and only God has the answer.

Departments:

MAILBAG

ON THE HOME FRONT

NEWS FROM ALL OVER

HEART TO HEART: Mary
Claudia Barba

AT A GLANCE: Numbers: Divine Faithfulness to a Complaining People
Layton Talbert

WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD: Holding On to Hope
Jim Tillotson

REGIONAL REPORTS CHAPLAIN’S REPORT: Indiana Guard Reserve
Casey Stephens

EVANGELIST’S PERSPECTIVE: Faithful in Responsibilities, Part Two
Jerry Sivnksty

Pastor’s Insert:

First Partaker: The Unique Role of a Pastor’s Preaching – Mark Minnick

Bring … the Books: Escape from Loneliness by Paul Tournier (Westminster Press, 1962) – Kent Ramler

Straight Cuts: Nehemiah: Righteous Wrath or Sinful Anger? – David Huffstutler

Windows: An Example of the Believer – Mark Love

FrontLine • November/December 2023.

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