Micah Schuurman: Biblical Aesthetics, week 4

BIBLICAL AESTHETICS

How the Bible and Christian Faith teach us to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell differently

The Psalms: “Faith can sound / look like this”

Lament:

  • Can you bring a sadness to church? What happens when you do so?

  • Beware “The Prosperity Gospel of Emotions”: if you have Jesus in your heart, you will always be happy.

  • David, Jeremiah, and Jesus had significant experiences of lament.

  • Biblical laments are based on trust and spring out of faith — not “grumbling against God” as in the wilderness. They form connections between head and heart and are part of a “balanced prayer diet”.

  • Lament is the most common type of Psalm and can be used communally, not just individually.

  • Connects to aesthetics b/c is a form of art, shows rather than tells, has mixed or complicated emotions, and has a purpose of connecting us more to our senses (rather than disconnecting like kitsch).

  • They help us to connect our circumstances to our relationship to God.

Psalm 88 contains mixed feelings & images:

  • God as Just Judge

  • God as defendant

  • God as Unjust Judge (Luke 18)

Use the lament format (see attachment) often to structure your prayers about difficult issues. Consider sharing your lament with others.

Biblical AestheticsJoel & Karin .