God and Drawing
Drawing, a pastime enjoyed by all and ingrained in the human psyche. But can drawing be considered a sin in the Christian faith? This essay will explore the stance of the church on drawing and why it forms such an important aspect of society.
From a Biblical standpoint, drawing is not explicitly listed as a sin. There are no passages in the Bible that directly address drawing as being a sin, nor is drawing associated with vices or morally questionable behavior. Instead, drawing is a way of self-expression and an outlet for creativity which is encouraged throughout the scripture.
The old testament features images and icons of various animals and people depicting biblical stories, from the Ten Commandments to Adam and Eve. Similarly, the early church set up two-dimensional images of Jesus and the holy trinity to enable the congregation to visualise the stories.
The use of imagery has been fundamental in the early church and its followers. They used drawing and various forms of art to tell stories, pass on knowledge and express their faith. In the Catholic Church, believers still have the opportunity to explore their faith creatively, with the opportunity to paint, draw and sculpt.
A key example of a Christian story being depicted through art can be found in Michelangelo’s masterpiece, The Last Judgement. The painting is located in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, and portrays a nine-panel sequence that allows viewers to learn about Christian teachings. From Adam and Eve right through to the resurrection of Jesus, this artwork depicts the last judgement of mankind.
Not only is drawing encouraged by the Christian faith, it has been present since the religion’s inception. It allows believers to explore their faith and express their own beliefs whilst simultaneously implementing the teachings of the scriptures. Drawing can therefore be seen as a gateway for receiving God’s grace and creating a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
The lack of scripture that condemns drawing would suggest that it is not considered to be a sin. Therefore, with the blessing of the Church, the Christian faith can express its beliefs through drawings, allowing believers to visualise the stories and create a deeper understanding.
Drawing in Countries Around the World
Drawing is considered a form of art and is present in various countries around the world. In Africa, traditional art practices were used as a form of communication and often used to depict important stories and events. Similarly, art has been used in Latin America to explore stories of liberation, such as the Mexican Mural Movement. There is also evidence of drawing being used in Asian countries to express their spiritual beliefs.
These countries and their respective cultures have all used drawing in various ways to tell stories and express their beliefs. It is evident that drawing is considered a medium for expression and exploration which is not necessarily a sin. Likewise, drawing has been used by the Christian faith to express their spiritual beliefs through intricate imagery.
Drawing has also been used to create awareness and convey emotions in a visual image. It has been used to promote social reform, encourage dialogue and challenge perceptions in the public. This is seen in the works of Rembrandt and other historical artists, whose works became a way of conveying ideas beyond what words can express.
The importance of drawing is evidenced by the various ways that it is used around the world. It is a means of conveying a message, sparking a dialogue or educating an audience. Thus, drawing is not necessarily a sin but an outlet for personal expression and a way of conveying difficult concepts.
The Impact on Self Expression and Creativity
Drawing allows believers to explore their faith and express their own beliefs whilst simultaneously implementing the teachings of the scripture. It provides an opportunity to explore emotions, develop self-expression and nurture creativity.
Much like writing, drawing is a way to convey feelings and emotions through the use of imagery and visuals. It allows the artist to express themselves in a different way, allowing them to create something beautiful and meaningful. This helps to promote self-healing, as it can serve as a distraction, allowing the painter to focus their attention on something positive and enjoyable, rather than dwelling on negative thoughts.
At its core, drawing is a form of meditation that requires patience and focus. It requires the artist to be present in the moment and to divert their attention away from the stresses of life. This can be beneficial to physical wellbeing too, with the calming effect of drawing allowing practitioners to reduce their stress levels.
The creative process of drawing has numerous benefits, such as reducing feelings of loneliness, increasing self-esteem, providing a sense of direction in life and developing a sense of fulfilment. This can be especially advantageous for shy and introverted people, who can often struggle to open up and express themselves. Drawing provides them with a safe space to explore their emotions in a calm and meaningful way.
The Perspective of the Church
Despite its various benefits, the Church has still not officially condoned or condemned drawing. The lack of scripture that explicitly condemns drawing would suggest that the Church does not consider it to be a sin. Admittedly, there are some branches of the Church that label drawing as a form of idolatry and disregards it as a sin, however, this varies between believers.
Unlike painting, drawing is not seen as a form of idolatry by some branches of the Church. Instead, it is seen as a God-given talent that can be used in a positive and meaningful way to convey God’s grace and teachings. This is evident in the works of the early church and its followers, who used drawing and artwork to tell stories, pass knowledge and express their faith.
The Church sees drawing as a way of self expression and an outlet for creativity which has been promoted throughout scripture. It allows believers to visualise Jesus’ teachings and create a deeper understanding, a process that can be improved through the act of drawing.
The Benefits of Drawing for the Christian Faith
Drawing can be an incredible way for believers to explore their faith and discover various stories from the Bible. It can be used to tell stories, create understanding and convey powerful messages in a visual way. It can also provide Christian believers with an opportunity to explore their beliefs in a way that provides them with emotional fulfilment.
Drawing is beneficial in other ways too. It allows Christian believers to focus their attention on something positive and calming, whilst also providing them with an outlet for self-expression and a way to express their feelings. This can enable some Christians to better understand their faith and bring a sense of fulfilment.
Overall, drawing can be seen as an invaluable tool for Christian believers. It can provide opportunities for exploration, expression and create deeper understanding. Drawing may not be listed as a sin in the scriptures, however, not all branches of the Church consider it acceptable.
Drawing and Mental Health Benefits
Drawing can be a meditative and calming activity, which Catholic and other Christian churches recognise as a God-given talent. It is a way to express emotions and explore one’s beliefs as well as allowing the artist to focus their attention away from the stresses of life. Drawing is beneficial in other ways too, with its potential to reduce feelings of loneliness, increase self-esteem and provide a sense of direction in life.
The calming effects of drawing can be beneficial to physical wellbeing, reducing stress levels and promoting self-healing. Drawing provides the artist with a creative outlet to explore feelings and emotions, leading to improved mental health. This can be beneficial for shy or introverted believers who can otherwise struggle to express themselves and open up.
Drawing also allows believers to receive God’s grace and create a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings. This, combined with the psychological and spiritual benefits of drawing, provides artists with an opportunity to nurture their faith, explore their beliefs and receive fulfilment.
Colouring and Drawings
Colouring has been proven to have a positive effect on the artist’s mindset and provide an outlet for relaxation. Much like drawing, it enables the artist to focus their attention on something positive and calming, mitigating the stresses of life and allowing them to explore their faith and emotions in a meaningful way.
Colouring also allows the artist to visualise Jesus’ teachings and create a deeper understanding. It also provides an opportunity to explore one’s faith in a peaceful, creative way through the use of images and visuals, helping to provide a sense of comfort for the artist and their spiritual belief.
The lack of scriptures that condemn drawing from the Christian perspective suggests that it is not considered to be a sin. Drawing provides a meaningful opportunity for believers to visualise Jesus’ teachings, explore emotions and nourish their faith. Colouring can also be used as an outlet for relaxation, visualisation and creative self-expression.
