Scribbling in the Sand: Christ and Creativity

Reviewed by:

Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

Scribbling in the Sand: Christ and Creativity (IVP Signature Collection)

Author:

Michael Card, foreword by Makoto Fujimura

Publisher:

InterVarsity Press

Publication Date:

June 2022

Format:

Paperback

Length:

168 pages

OVERVIEW

Michael Card starts this book by reflecting on the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. In this story, the religious leaders ask Jesus a hard question, and he first responds by writing something in the sand—something the Bible doesn’t specify.

“By and large the commentaries have asked the wrong question,” Card writes. “They ask what without ever realizing that the real question is why. It was not the content that mattered but why he did it. Unexpected. Irritating. Creative.”

Building on this idea, Card examines what Christ-centered creativity looks like. He looks at concepts like:

• Humanity’s natural hunger for beauty
• Biblical characters from Adam to Christ that embody healthy creativity
• What it looks like for artists to listen to Christ in community
• Letters to artists from Makoto Fujimura, H.R. Rookmaaker, and others

Initially, it seems like Card is covering the same ground Francis Schaeffer discussed in his seminal book Art and the Bible. Card even wrote an introduction for a re-release of that book, and make it clear that Schaeffer’s ideas provided an important plank in his theological thinking.

However, Schaeffer limits his discussion to Bible passages that specifically mention making art (Old Testament passages about Bezalel crafting the ark of the covenant, etc.). Card takes a broader interest, leading readers through what the Bible says or implies about beauty and creativity in its many forms. Not only does Card make a good case for God valuing beauty and the crafting of good things, but his writing style also makes the ideas feel poetic and exciting.

An excellent book on what it means to make art well and live well as an artist.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars):

5 stars

Recommended Audience:

Christian artists interested in a Biblical overview of creativity, emphasizing how God views it as a blessing to use well.

Christian Impact:

Card emphasizes the idea that creativity is not only good but something God-given to use well.

https://www.christianbook.com/