There is no denying that Yahweh is marvelously creative; all of creation declares his glory and proclaims His handiwork. Man distinguishes himself among God’s many creatures because we bear His image. And one way in which we reflect God’s image is by also creating.
Whether it is writing a novel, composing music, cooking a delicious meal, or arranging a flower bouquet, we all have a streak of creativity. Throughout history, Christians have used their inherited creativity to proclaim God’s glory and worship Him. Terry Glaspey shares a few of them in 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know: The Fascinating Stories Behind Great Works of Art, Literature, Music, and Film.
In 75 chapters, Glaspey presents 75 of the most influential and critically acclaimed pieces of art created by Christian artists. Each chapter is only a few pages and features a description of the art piece, the story of how the art came to be, and pictures where applicable.
I love the diversity of the masterpieces in the book. The list includes books, cathedrals, hymns, paintings, poetry, and more. As someone who has never studied arts or history, I thoroughly enjoyed discovering these masterpieces and their stories.
Seeing as the list is highly subjective, you will undoubtedly disagree with the author about the exclusion or inclusion of a piece. For instance, I didn’t agree with his exclusion of Jane Eyre. I think it should have taken the spot of Pride and Prejudice. But it is not a big deal.
Overall, 75 Masterpieces Every Christians Should Know is an engaging, fun, and easy-to-read introduction to Christian art. It is inspiring to see how Christians (even unorthodox ones) from various places, times, and backgrounds have used their gifts to glorify God. I highly recommend getting this book and continuing the journey by reading the books, listening to the music, etc., and research the many other masterpieces not included in this volume.
Moody Publishers graciously gave me a copy for an honest review.
I can’t wait to read this! Thank you!